NI recycling figures suggest winter record

Northern Ireland has achieved a winter record for the amount of local authority-collected municipal waste recycled or composted in the fourth quarter of 2013/14, provisional figures indicate.

According to the statistics, published by the Department of Environment yesterday (July 24), the amount of waste recycled between January and March this year rose to 36.4%, up one percentage point compared to the same period for 2013.

Due to seasonal fluctuations, the recycling rate for January to March is considerably lower than the 2013/14 quarter three statistics, in which 38.7% of waste was recycled or composted between October and December last year (see letsrecycle.com story).

But, while the total waste arisings increased 2.4% to 215,608 tonnes, the amount sent to landfill fell to a new low of 47.9% or 103,262 tonnes an improvement of just over 2% on the same period in the previous year.

In addition, the proportions of solely household waste landfilled, recycled or composted showed similar trends. The total tonnage of household waste sent to landfill for this quarter was 90,070 tonnes, down over 2% compared with last year.

Meanwhile, the percentage of household waste recycled or composted was 37%. This was an increase one percentage point compared with the same period last year when 36% was recycled or composted.

In total, an estimated 189,109 tonnes of household was collected for recycling, composting, and landfill across all district councils in Northern Ireland in the final quarter of 2013/14 with the largest amount arising in Belfast with 28,951 tonnes.

‘Good news’

Commenting on the figures Environment Minister, Mark H Durkan said: The sustained increase in recycling is good news with the highest ever municipal winter recycling level recorded. The increase in compostable waste recycled shows that the public is increasingly using organic recycling kerbside collection services in the North.

However, we all need to renew our efforts to recycle plastics, cans, paper and cardboard. Todays figures show a levelling off on household recycling for these key materials. The recycling of these valuable resources can generate significant economic benefits for society. Otherwise they get dumped in a landfill and become an unnecessary cost.

He added: It is easy for all of us to recycle at home by simply taking a little time to use our local council kerbside recycling service. At this time of year we should try to export our eco-friendly habits by using recycling facilities when on holiday.