Northern Ireland has announced plans to set a new compulsory 60% recycling target for local authority collected municipal waste
The proposals were announced yesterday by Environment Minister Alex Attwood.
The target would apply to all local authority collected municipal waste, and the Department of Environment said it would go beyond the 50% household waste recycling target set by Europe under the revised Waste Framework Directive.
Statutory recycling target
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 and voluntary sector for initiatives to boost recycling rates and reduce waste being sent to landfill.”