Minister visits "one-stop-shop" recycling business

Environment Minister Edwin Poots today launched Wright Recycling and saw their new facilities in action at their Newtownards recycling centre.

Wright Recycling is a re-launch of Wright Skips reflecting how it has evolved from a collection and dumping firm to a “one-stop-shop” recycling business.

Speaking on the visit, Mr Poots said: “This is much more than a change in name for Wright Recycling. The journey that this company has travelled from Wright Skips to Wright Recycling reflects the value of the recycling industry.

“This is becoming increasingly important to the Northern Ireland economy - in 2007, the recycling sector accounted for around 1000 jobs with a turnover of £180million.”

Wright Skips opened in 1994 with one skip lorry that collected waste and sent it to landfill. The organisation today has 30 employees and has invested in new recycling technology that enables more material, such as mixed paper and low quality plastic to be separated during the sorting process.

The increased capacity, as a result of investment in this technology, has meant that Wright Recycling is able to take waste from Scotland for sorting. This means that instead of burying it in the ground, this separated waste can be turned into a valuable resource.

The Minister concluded: “This is a win-win situation. It generates local jobs, boosts investment in the Northern Ireland economy and helps divert waste from landfill.

“Failure to meet landfill targets will result in fines that could run to millions of pounds per annum - fines that would ultimately be borne by the ratepayer. This means that every organisation and householder in Northern Ireland has an interest in meeting these targets.

“Companies like Wright Recycling, that are prepared to invest in innovative technology to turn waste into practical products, are helping to reach these targets. I would encourage all companies to realise the economic and environmental benefits of the waste and recycling industry.”

Notes to editors:

1. Data from the Annual Business Inquiry indicates that in 2007 (the most recent available data), the recycling sector accounted for around 1000 jobs with a turnover of £180million.
2. Wright Recycling was runner up in the Sustainable Ireland awards 2009 for the category of best waste carrier.
3. In addition to supplying skips, the company is also involved in Recycling Waste, Business Waste, Security Shredding, Energy from Waste, Environmental Compliance, Bulk Haulage, Waste Consultancy and operate a Transfer Station Management.
4. Minister Poots recently launched the £3.13million Rethink Waste Fund to develop recycling infrastructure. This will provide funding to councils for initiatives which will boost recycling and re-use.
5. The Department of the Environment's Rethink Waste campaign aims to raise awareness, encourage best practice and achieve behavioural change among households, the business, community and education sectors. The campaign seeks to affect a cultural shift towards better waste prevention and resource management and improved environmental quality in Northern Ireland. For more information visit the rethinkwasteni website.
6. All media enquires should be directed to the Department of the Environment Press Office on 028 9054 0003. Out of office hours, please contact the duty press officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.