Minister Attwood today visited Queens Elms village to view their European Waste Reduction Week award-winning initiatives which have significantly reduced the normal levels of waste produced by the 1,800 strong student residents.

Commenting on this award winning initiative Environment Minister, Alex Attwood said: "Visiting Queens Elms village is truly inspirational – they have combined both imaginative and practical measures with their everyday activities to significantly reduce their waste and adopt a more environmentally - conscious approach.

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"My department's Rethink Waste campaign focuses on promoting behaviour change in our approach to waste in everyday life – it is impressive to see these supported and put to practice by Queens Elms village's vegetable garden, book/ recipe and clothes swap initiatives that I have seen here today.

"European Week for Waste Reduction will be running this year from 17th to 25th November. I would encourage everyone to take a look at their own routines at home, at work and in their local community, to see if there are any changes that could be made which could be registered as a Northern Ireland activity. Even the smallest measure can make a huge difference to reducing landfill.

"In DOE we need to be bold, draft and agree challenging new laws that robustly protect and deepen the green and clean credentials that makes Northern Ireland such a special place. That is what a robust Climate Change Act, a credible Marine Bill, a National Park Act in the image of our needs, and an Independent Environment Agency would decisively demonstrate."

(CD)