Northern Ireland has recorded its highest ever household recycling rate in the last year, according to new figures.

The data, published by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, revealed recycling rates from July to September 2017 increased from 48.4% in the same period in 2016, to 51.5% in 2017.

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Sinn Féin spokesperson on Energy, Environment and Climate Change Cathal Boylan MLA said: "Increases in household recycling rates are welcome and will result in much needed environmental improvements.

"We should continue to focus on building a culture of recycling which includes learning from best practice, developing the right infrastructure, incentives and public awareness campaigns.

"I would continue to encourage everyone to reuse, reduce and recycle and hopefully next year we will be setting a new waste recycling record."

(CD/LM)