Waste
The DOE is responsible for the drafting of legislation on waste, the implementation of waste management policy and the promotion of a more sustainable approach to dealing with waste in Northern Ireland.
The Waste Unit within the Environmental Policy Division works with various bodies in particular with our colleagues in the Northern Ireland Environment Agency to develop and implement a wide range of government policies in Northern Ireland.
Some of the topics covered include Hazardous Waste, Waste Electrical Electronic Equipment and Producer Responsibility. For information on these and other topics go to the further information list on this page.
You can also access information on the NIEA Waste homepage and the Rethink Waste website.
DOE Waste Summit 21 June 2012
Showcasing our innovation, refreshing our thinking, sharing our ideas
Alex Attwood, Minister of the Environment is hosting a free one day Waste Summit at the Indian Community Centre, Clifton Street, Belfast, BT13 1AB.
There will be presentations on the day, plenty of networking opportunities and free exhibition space is also available.
The invitation, summit programme and delegate booking form are attached here.  (154KB)
The delegate booking form should be returned by 15 June 2012 to Janice Harvey at:
DOE, EPD,
Goodwood House,
44-48 May Street,
Town Parks
Belfast BT1 4NN.
Email: Janice.harvey@doeni.gov.uk
Tel: 02890 254 845.
Consultation Document – Draft Single Use Carrier Bags Charge Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2012
The Department has published a consultation paper seeking views on its specific legislative proposals for a charge on single use carrier bags.
The consultation paper summarises the broad policy direction on carrier bag charging, outlines the Department’s specific legislative proposals and includes a copy of the draft Regulations. The draft Regulations:
- require sellers to charge customers at least 5 pence for each single use carrier bag supplied new;
- require sellers to pay the net proceeds of the charge to the Department, and stipulate how net proceeds should be calculated;
- make provision for certain exemptions from the charging requirement; and
- provide for a regime of civil sanctions in the event of breaches of the Regulations.
The closing date for receipt of comments in relation to the consultation paper is 9 July 2012.
A letter to consultees, the consultation document and the draft Regulations can be accessed through the following links:
The Partial Regulatory Impact Assessment can be accessed through the following link:
Consultation Document - Recovery and recycling targets for packaging waste 2013-2017
A UK-wide consultation paper has been published seeking views on proposals for new recovery and recycling targets for 2013-2017 in the Producer Responsibility Obligations (Packaging Waste) Regulations 2007 (as amended).
The consultation sets out options for statutory recycling targets for packaging producers to ensure the UK continues to meet the minimum recovery and recycling targets set down in EC Directive on Packaging and Packaging Waste (94/62/EC).
The consultation opened on 16 December 2011 and the closing date for responses is 10 February 2012.
A letter to consultees and the consultation document can be accessed through the following link. Both documents contain details of how responses can be submitted.
http://www.defra.gov.uk/consult/2011/12/16/packaging-regs/
Consultation document – Waste Management, The Duty of Care, A Code of Practice for Northern Ireland
The Department has prepared for consultation a revised Waste Management, The Duty of Care, A Code of Practice for Northern Ireland. The purpose of the code of practice is to provide practical guidance for everyone subject to the Duty of Care.
It applies to anyone who imports, produces, collects, carries, keeps, treats or disposes of controlled waste, or who, as a broker or dealer has control of such waste. As well as setting out the general requirements of the Duty of Care, the code is split into a series of sections covering waste producers, carriers, managers, brokers/dealers and householders to help you find the guidance relevant to you.
The consultation opened on 29 November 2011 and the closing date for responses is 27 February 2012.
A letter to consultees and the consultation document can be accessed through the following links. Both documents contain details of how responses can be submitted.
Covering letter to consultees  (26KB)
Consultation paper on a Revised Waste Management, The Duty of Care, A Code of Practice for Northern Ireland (250KB)
Waste Hierarchy
Article 4 of the revised Waste Framework Directive (Directive 2008/98/EC) sets out five steps for dealing with waste, ranked according to environmental impact - the "waste hierarchy".
Prevention, which offers the best outcomes for the environment, is at the top of the priority order; followed by preparing for re-use, recycling, other recovery and disposal, in descending order of environmental preference. The Waste Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 transpose for Northern Ireland the revised Waste Framework Directive. The Regulations came into operation on 8 April 2011. Regulation 17 of these introduces a duty on waste operators to comply with the waste hierarchy and this duty came into operation on 8 October 2011.
What you need to do
If your business or organisation (including district councils on behalf of householders) produces or handles waste (this includes importing, producing, collecting, carrying, keeping, treating or disposing of waste; brokers or dealers who have control of waste, and anyone responsible for the transfer of waste), you must take all such measures as are reasonable in the circumstances to:
- prevent waste, and;
- apply the waste hierarchy when you transfer waste.
Guidance documents
The Department has published a package of guidance to assist businesses and other organisations in Northern Ireland to make better decisions on waste and resource management. This guidance considers the environmental impacts of various waste management options for a range of materials. It comprises 3 documents:-
1. Guidance on applying the waste hierarchy (265KB) - a shorter summary guidance aimed particularly at small and medium sized enterprises.
2. Applying the waste hierarchy: evidence summary (396KB) - an evidence paper which summarises scientific research on the environmental impacts of various waste management options.
3. Waste Hierarchy: Frequently asked questions (76KB)
Consultation document - NI Waste Management Strategy 2006-2020 Addendum and Delivery Programme
On 28 July 2011 the Department issued for consultation an Addendum to the Northern Ireland Waste Management Strategy 2006-2020 containing a revised Delivery Programme. The consultation period closed on 20 October 2011.
The consultation document can be accessed through the following link:
Consultation document on an Addendum to the Northern Ireland Waste Management Strategy 2006-2020 (156KB)  
A synopsis of responses to the consultation document on an Addendum to the Northern Ireland Waste Management Strategy 2006 - 2020 can be accessed through the following link:
Synopsis of Responses to the Department’s consultation on an Addendum and revised Delivery Programme to the Northern Ireland Waste Management Strategy 2006-2020 (41KB)
Consultation Document – A New Recycling Policy
The Department is seeking views on a proposed new recycling policy. The main aim of the policy paper is to set out the Departments proposals for more ambitious targets for recycling in Northern Ireland. The consultation opened on 16 March 2011 and the closing date for responses is 10 June 2011.
The consultation paper can be accessed from the link below:
Consultation Paper on A New Recycling Policy (160 KB)
Summary of Responses To The Northern Ireland Consultation on Meeting EU Landfill Diversion targets
A summary of the responses received in relation to the public consultation on Meeting EU Landfill Diversion Targets. The document does not contain the Department's consideration of the responses received as this is still underway. However, it will be contained in a stage two (legislation) consultation which is expected to be issued in Spring 2011.
summary of ni responses to the consultation paper on meeting eu landfill diversion targets.pdf
Policy position on the future of the Northern Ireland Landfill Allowance Scheme (NILAS)
The Northern Ireland Landfill Allowance Scheme, which was introduced on 1 April 2005, is one of the key measures to reduce the amount of biodegradable municipal waste (BMW) sent to landfill. Similar schemes were introduced in the rest of the UK. The Scheme sees progressive reductions in the amount of BMW that Councils can landfill.
The Department issued a consultation paper on 25 June 2010 inviting comments on the implications of changing the UK's approach to meeting the landfill diversion targets as outlined in the Landfill Directive (1999/31/EC) (Title:consultation on Meeting EU Landfill Diversion Targets). The consultation addressed the changes necessary to enable the UK to report to the European Commission on a revised approach to the landfill diversion targets. This included setting out the new interpretation of the definition of municipal waste. It also sought views on the future of the Northern Ireland Landfill Allowance Scheme.
The attached document is for information and sets out the policy position on the future of NILAS following the recent consultation on Meeting EU Landfill Diversion Targets.
Policy position on the future of NILAS (11KB)
For a summary of the responses to the consultation please see separate entry above.
Summary of responses to the Northern Ireland Consultation on the Introduction of Restrictions on the Landfilling of Certain Wastes
A summary of the responses received in relation to the public consultation on the Introduction of Restrictions on the Landfilling of Certain Wastes. The document does not contain the Departments consideration of the responses received as they are still underway.
Summary of responses to the Northern Ireland Consultation on the Introduction of Restrictions on the Landfilling of Certain Wastes (PDF 39KB)
Landfill (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011
The Department of the Environment's consultation on proposals to amend the Landfill Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003 closed on 15 September 2010. The Landfill (Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 were made on 14 March 2011 and came into operation on 15 April 2011. The 2003 Landfill Regulations now apply to all landfill sites in NI which closed after 16 July 2001, and these sites must now comply with the Landfill Directive (1999/31/EC) procedures for closure and aftercare.
Those most affected by the amended Regulations will be District Councils and private operators of landfill sites. It is not anticipated that there will be any significant impact on any other stakeholders.
A copy of the consultation paper may be viewed and downloaded using the link below:
Consultation Document on the Amendment of the Landfill Regulations (Northern Ireland)2003 (315KB)
Please note, however, that the consultation period has now ended, and that stakeholders should no longer reply to the consultation.
You can also request a copy by telephone (028 90254816), by fax (028 90254732), by textphone (028 90540642), by e-mail ( john.waterworth@doeni.gov.uk ) or in writing from:
John Waterworth, Environmental Policy Division, Department of the Environment, 6th Floor Goodwood House, 44-58 May Street, Belfast BT1 4NN.
Summary of responses to the Consultation on the Amendment of the Landfill Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2003
A summary of the responses received in relation to the public consultation on the proposed amendment of the Landfill Regulations (NI) 2003. The document does not contain the Departments consideration of the responses received.
Landfill Amendment Regulations Consultation Document Responses (23KB)
Waste Programme Board
The Waste Programme Board (WPB), a new non-statutory Advisory Committee under the Chairmanship of the Minister of the Environment, held its inaugural meeting on 15 September 2010. The new Board's functions will include overseeing implementation of the targets contained within the NI Waste Management Strategy; advising on the structure and prioritisation of waste programme targets /actions; providing a channel of communication for key stakeholders; and consideration of the impact of new waste-related policy initiatives as they emerge. The Board is comprised of senior officials from the Department, elected representatives from NILGA and the three regional Waste Management Groups, and representatives of the construction, business and NGO sectors.
Minutes of WPB meetings can be found at the link below:
Waste Programme Board
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