Environment Minister Alex Attwood today announced his legislation plans to introduce a statutory 60% recycling target for local authority collected municipal waste.
The target goes beyond the 50% household waste recycling rate requirement set out by Europe and will have to be achieved by 2020.
Commenting on his plans Minister Attwood said: "Northern Ireland can step up to the plate and surpass the existing target. Making the 60% recycling target compulsory gives certainty to everyone involved in this area of the waste industry. They now know where they have to get to by 2020.
“The introduction of this statutory target will also deliver economic opportunities and growth, improved productivity and profitability and ensure local businesses remain competitive in the global market.
“Although significant progress has been made over the last decade, I am mindful that we cannot be complacent. Instead, we must increase the momentum of change towards achieving a resource efficient and low carbon economy. Setting a challenging recycling target should help achieve this goal.
“I remain committed to providing financial support through the Rethink Waste Fund to local councils, the private sector and the Community & Voluntary sector for initiatives to boost recycling rates and reduce waste being sent to landfill."
Primary legislation will be put in place to give DOE the power to introduce the statutory recycling target. There will be a public consultation on the draft legislation so stakeholders will be able to assist in developing the detail to support this target.
There is already legislation in place to set a 70% recycling and recovery target for construction and demolition wastes. DOE is looking to achieve a better understanding of commercial and industrial wastes to inform future policies in relation to these wastes as well.
This is a challenging target. That is why, this Thursday, Minister Attwood will hold his first Waste Summit at the Indian Community Centre at Carlisle Circus.
Notes to editors:
1. The recycling target relates to local authority collected municipal waste (LACMW). It should not be confused with the new interpretation of the definition of municipal waste that has arisen from a Commission direction to the UK in respect of meeting EU landfill diversion obligations. This new definition includes a larger volume of waste as it incorporates a significant amount of waste from the commercial and industrial sector which is similar in nature to household waste.
2. A 50% household recycling target set for 2020 by the European Union is a key element in progressing towards the 60% local authority collected municipal waste target. The provisional household waste recycling rate for 2010/11 was 37.5%.
3. Information on Northern Ireland Municipal Waste Management Data reporting can be downloaded: http://www.doeni.gov.uk/niea/municipal_data_reporting.htm
4. Primary legislation will be necessary to make this target a statutory obligation.
5. All media enquiries should be directed to DOE Press Office on 028 90256058. Out of office hours, please contact the EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
The target goes beyond the 50% household waste recycling rate requirement set out by Europe and will have to be achieved by 2020.
Commenting on his plans Minister Attwood said: "Northern Ireland can step up to the plate and surpass the existing target. Making the 60% recycling target compulsory gives certainty to everyone involved in this area of the waste industry. They now know where they have to get to by 2020.
“The introduction of this statutory target will also deliver economic opportunities and growth, improved productivity and profitability and ensure local businesses remain competitive in the global market.
“Although significant progress has been made over the last decade, I am mindful that we cannot be complacent. Instead, we must increase the momentum of change towards achieving a resource efficient and low carbon economy. Setting a challenging recycling target should help achieve this goal.
“I remain committed to providing financial support through the Rethink Waste Fund to local councils, the private sector and the Community & Voluntary sector for initiatives to boost recycling rates and reduce waste being sent to landfill."
Primary legislation will be put in place to give DOE the power to introduce the statutory recycling target. There will be a public consultation on the draft legislation so stakeholders will be able to assist in developing the detail to support this target.
There is already legislation in place to set a 70% recycling and recovery target for construction and demolition wastes. DOE is looking to achieve a better understanding of commercial and industrial wastes to inform future policies in relation to these wastes as well.
This is a challenging target. That is why, this Thursday, Minister Attwood will hold his first Waste Summit at the Indian Community Centre at Carlisle Circus.
Notes to editors:
1. The recycling target relates to local authority collected municipal waste (LACMW). It should not be confused with the new interpretation of the definition of municipal waste that has arisen from a Commission direction to the UK in respect of meeting EU landfill diversion obligations. This new definition includes a larger volume of waste as it incorporates a significant amount of waste from the commercial and industrial sector which is similar in nature to household waste.
2. A 50% household recycling target set for 2020 by the European Union is a key element in progressing towards the 60% local authority collected municipal waste target. The provisional household waste recycling rate for 2010/11 was 37.5%.
3. Information on Northern Ireland Municipal Waste Management Data reporting can be downloaded: http://www.doeni.gov.uk/niea/municipal_data_reporting.htm
4. Primary legislation will be necessary to make this target a statutory obligation.
5. All media enquiries should be directed to DOE Press Office on 028 90256058. Out of office hours, please contact the EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.
Story by DOE
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