The target would apply to all local authority collected municipal waste, and the Department of Environment (DOE) said it would go beyond the 50% household waste recycling target set by Europe under the revised Waste Framework Directive (rWFD).
Plans for a 60% target were first unveiled in a consultation in March 2011 by former environment minister Edwin Poots (see letsrecycle.com story) however the consultation stressed that the targets would not be statutory and would complement the targets set under the rWFD.
Now, Mr Attwood has said that making the target statutory would give certainty to everyone in the waste industry.
Commenting on his plans Mr 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.
Mr Attwood added that although significant progress has been made over the last decade, he is mindful that Northern Ireland cannot be complacent.
He added: 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.
Consultation
Primary legislation will be put in place to give the Department of Environment (DOE) the power to introduce the statutory recycling target. The DOE said there will be a public consultation on the draft legislation, which is yet to be published, allowing stakeholders the opportunity to assist in developing the detail to support the target. A DOE spokesman told letsrecycle.com that it would be at least 18 months before the legislation comes into force.
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The DOE said Northern Ireland already has legislation in place to set a 70% recycling and recovery target for construction and demolition wastes and in addition to this it is looking to achieve a better understanding of commercial and industrial wastes to inform future policies.
Prior to a consultation being launched, Mr Attwood will be holding his first waste summit at the Indian Community Centre in Belfast on Thursday (June 21). Mr Attwood said the event would be a crucial thinking day for the countrys waste industry.
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