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19/06/2012
Recycle 60% Of Waste, Says Environment Minister
Environment Minister Alex Attwood today announced his plans to introduce a statutory 60% recycling target for Northern Irish households.
The target goes beyond the 50% household waste recycling rate requirement set out by Europe and will have to be achieved by 2020.
Plans for the target were announced last year by former Environment Minister Edwin Poots but were voluntary.
Mr Attwood said making the target compulsory would offer "certainty" to local authorities.
He 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. 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."
Mr Attwood said financial support would be available through the Rethink Waste Fund for local councils, businesses and the voluntary sector to help them achieve the target.
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.
Legislation is already in place to set a 70% recycling and recovery target for construction and demolition wastes.
(NE)
The target goes beyond the 50% household waste recycling rate requirement set out by Europe and will have to be achieved by 2020.
Plans for the target were announced last year by former Environment Minister Edwin Poots but were voluntary.
Mr Attwood said making the target compulsory would offer "certainty" to local authorities.
He 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. 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."
Mr Attwood said financial support would be available through the Rethink Waste Fund for local councils, businesses and the voluntary sector to help them achieve the target.
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.
Legislation is already in place to set a 70% recycling and recovery target for construction and demolition wastes.
(NE)
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£132k To Prevent Food Waste In L'Derry
A £132,000 grant from the Department of the Environment's Rethink Waste Fund has been approved to help prevent food waste in L'Derry. The money has been provided through the Department's Rethink Waste Fund, supports the Food Waste Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 to divert food waste away from landfill and into recycling.
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A £132,000 grant from the Department of the Environment's Rethink Waste Fund has been approved to help prevent food waste in L'Derry. The money has been provided through the Department's Rethink Waste Fund, supports the Food Waste Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2015 to divert food waste away from landfill and into recycling.
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Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A showery start with outbreaks most frequent north of Lough Neagh and through the morning, before dwindling during the afternoon as the northwest breezes ease and brighter spells of weak sunshine prosper. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A dry night, save for a few light showers around the coasts, with prolonged clear spells and light winds bringing a frosty dawn for many in central and southern parts. Minimum temperature -3 °C.
