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 comes 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 (.PDF 265Kb) - a shorter summary guidance aimed particularly at small and medium sized enterprises.
2. Applying the waste hierarchy: evidence summary (.PDF 396Kb) - an evidence paper which summarises scientific research on the environmental impacts of various waste management options.
