NI Environment Minister, Edwin Poots has launched new guidelines for business to help tackle waste head on and boost the Northern Ireland economy.

As part of it’s Better Regulation Programme, the Northern Ireland Environment Agency (NIEA) has joined forces with the Environment Agency in England and Wales and WRAP (Waste & Resources Action Programme) to develop guidelines for business on recovering value from waste materials. Three Waste Quality Protocols have been launched that will outline the steps industry must take in order to fully recover specific waste materials and turn them into marketable products: production and use of quality compost from source-segregated biodegradable waste; production and use of quality outputs from anaerobic digestion of source-segregated biodegradable waste; and production and use of processed fuel oil from waste lubricating oils.

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Edwin Poots said: "This is a positive step for our environment and economy. We need modern and effective regulation, which supports and acknowledges good practice and efficiency, providing new opportunities for Northern Ireland companies. I welcome these new guidelines and their demonstration of the value of the regulator and industry working in partnership. Managing waste in this modern, simple and effective way is essential to bolster economic growth and sustainability, whilst also protecting the environment in a way that businesses and the public understand, respect and trust."

Dr Ian Garner, WRAP’s Northern Ireland Manager added: "Quality Protocols offer significant environmental and economic benefits. QP compliance reduces the burden of waste for business, while opening up new revenue streams. We are delighted that NIEA and the Environment Minister have instigated the use of these QPs in Northern Ireland, and certain that the economy and environment will benefit as a result."

Over a 10 year period, it is estimated that the first 12 Protocols in place in the UK will deliver cost savings to business in the order of £700million, increased sales to business by £330million, 14 million tonnes of savings in virgin raw materials, as well as save two million tonnes of carbon.

Three further Quality Protocols will be published later in the year: biodiesel; tyre crumb; and gypsum from waste plasterboard.

(NS/GK)