Environment Minister Alex Attwood has announced his legislation plans to introduce a statutory 60% recycling target for local authority collected municipal waste.

The target goes beyond the 50% household waste recycling rate requirement set out by Europe and will have to be achieved by 2020.

Commenting on his plans Minister 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.

-- Advertisement --

"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.

"Although significant progress has been made over the last decade, I am mindful that we cannot be complacent. 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."

Primary legislation will be put in place to give DOE the power to introduce the statutory recycling target. There will be a public consultation on the draft legislation so stakeholders will be able to assist in developing the detail to support this target.

(CD)