A new consultation titled Rethinking Our Resources: Measures for Climate Action and a Circular Economy in NI has been launched by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) in Northern Ireland.
The consultation, which is open until 30 May 2024, aims to introduce the EU Circular Economy Package (CEP) into Northern Ireland, which the UK had committed to prior to Brexit.
It was transposed into domestic legislation in December 2020 by The Waste (Circular Economy)(Amendment) Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2020 and introduced targets such as preparing 65% of municipal waste for reuse and recycling by 2035, and reducing the amount of municipal waste sent to landfill to 10% or less of the total amount of municipal waste generated (by weight) by 2035.
The Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 has also been introduced, committing Northern Ireland to achieving Net Zero by 2050 and setting the target for at least 70% of waste to be recycled by 2030. However, there is a need for further national steer in policies to instigate financial commitments to implement changes in services and drive increases in recycling.
The consultation includes 26 proposals for change, including the possibility of recycling a wider variety of materials in kerbside bins, enhancing food waste collections, and reducing the amount of residual waste allowed.
All households would be required to have a ‘core set’ of separately collected materials to be recycled or composted, with the aim of increasing recycling rates, improving the quality of recyclate produced and ensuring all households have access to the same level of service provision.
The consultation has been designed collaboratively with WRAP (the Waste and Resources Action Programme) to consider several policy options based on responses to the 2020 Future Recycling Discussion Document.
These proposals are designed to maximise the benefits of recycling to the environment and to the Northern Ireland economy, improving the quality and quantity that is recycled, according to DAERA.
This initiative represents a significant step towards a more sustainable future for Northern Ireland, aligning with global efforts to combat climate change and transition towards a circular economy.
Northern Ireland Environment Minister Andrew Muir said: “Recycling should be an integral, yet simple, everyday activity that people can carry out whether they are at home, their place of work, educational or healthcare setting, or a social hub.
“The proposals within this consultation have been collaboratively designed through a period of extensive engagement with key stakeholders, and we are keen to hear the views of everyone. While there are legislative requirements on us to recycle more and send less to landfill, we know it is the right thing to do. The simple fact is that recycling is good for us, our local economy and the planet.”
The full consultation is available at the DAERA website.
Summary
The purpose of the document: The document is a consultation paper by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) on how to improve the recycling of household and non-household municipal waste in Northern Ireland.
The context and drivers of the consultation: The consultation is driven by the need to tackle climate change, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and transition to a low carbon, circular economy. It is also informed by the new legislative framework and targets set by the Climate Change Act (Northern Ireland) 2022 and the Waste and Contaminated Land (Northern Ireland) Order 1997.
The vision and ambition of the consultation: The consultation aims to achieve a strong, green economy that values its resources and minimises waste. It proposes to increase the quality and quantity of recycling, reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill, and align with the NI Executive’s Green Growth Strategy and Environment Strategy. It also seeks to meet the requirement of recycling at least 70% of waste by 2030.
The main proposals for household recycling: The consultation outlines 12 proposals to improve commonality and consistency in household recycling collections, such as restricting the residual waste capacity, collecting a core set of dry recyclables, enhancing food and garden waste collections, and providing guidance and enforcement for compliance.
The main proposals for non-household municipal recycling: The consultation outlines 14 proposals to improve recycling from businesses and other organisations that produce municipal waste, such as requiring them to segregate a core set of dry recyclables and food waste, reviewing the Food Waste Regulations, providing support and guidance, and introducing QualiTEE assessments for commingled collections.
The consultation process and response: The consultation invites views from all interested stakeholders on the 26 proposals and the questions posed in the document. It also provides information on how to respond online or by other means, and the deadline for responses. The responses will be used to develop new policy and legislation for resource and waste management in Northern Ireland.
