Aspirations for a 'zero waste' society have been outlined at a major conference in London.

NI Environment Minister Edwin Poots gave a keynote address on the first day of the 'Futuresource 2010 Conference', which brings together the sustainable waste management, recycling and resource efficiency sector and its major client base under one roof.

With some 300 exhibitors, a full conference programme and an expected 9,000 attendees from across the UK and Europe, it provides the ideal platform for public, private and third sector professionals to come together to debate and help shape the future of waste, recycling and resource management.

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Speaking before the conference, the Minister said: "The reality is that we cannot continue to dump our waste in large holes in the ground, without thought for the materials and energy that can be recovered, or for its impact on our environment.

"Aspiring to zero waste means changing behaviours, it means reducing what we use, reusing and recycling goods and materials, maximising the use of resources.

"It also means thinking creatively and innovatively to produce a sustainable, dynamic economy."

He continued: "We in Northern Ireland cannot be complacent, much further activity will be required to meet our statutory targets and increase our recycling and recovery rates to 50% and beyond by 2020."

The UK's new Secretary of State for Environment, Food and Rural Affairs, Caroline Spelman and Jane Davidson, the Welsh Minister for the Environment, Sustainability and Housing, also spoke at the conference.

(NS/BMcC)