Minister urges public to keep recycling despite market downturn

Members of the public in Northern Ireland should continue recycling their household waste despite recent concerns about the state of international markets, Environment Minister Sammy Wilson said today.

Following the sudden and dramatic fall on the global market in the demand for and value of recyclable materials as a result of the economic downturn, the minister reassured the public the domestic waste they recycle was still being sent for recycling and not being landfilled or stockpiled.

Mr Wilson said: "There has been a lot of national press attention recently about the state of the global market and the impact that is having on the storage of domestic waste.

"It would be understandable if people in Northern Ireland are alarmed by these reports. However no member of the public should worry about the implications for the waste they recycle.

"The materials householders in Northern Ireland are being asked to identify, separate and place in their recycling bins and boxes, is still being sent for recycling. There is no evidence to suggest it is being stockpiled or sent to landfill or for any other means of disposal.

"My officials also believe, as they monitor the market, the current very low prices internationally for recyclable materials will be temporary and the market will recover."

The minister said recycling in Northern Ireland had come a long way in recent years with the overall recycling rate for household waste rising from 4.9% in 1999 to 31.7% in 2007/08.

He said: "It is important this is maintained and improved upon for the sake of the environment and to ensure the UK meets the targets for recycling and diversion from landfill set by Europe.

"There is a need to ensure the materials that are being sent for recycling are of the highest possible quality and I would encourage everyone to play their part by placing only the appropriate materials in their recycling bins and boxes."

The minister acknowledged the challenges the current market situation was causing councils and waste management companies.

He stressed DOE would continue to work with all stakeholders to help them through what was a difficult situation and to minimise the impacts on the environment both now and in the longer term.

Mr Wilson also urged any operator who was experiencing difficulties to contact the Northern Ireland Environment Agency on 028 9056 9359 to discuss the situation

Notes to Editors:

1. District Councils are responsible for the collection and disposal of household waste in NI. To fulfil this function they have banded together into three waste management groups. ARC 21 covers the Eastern Region and comprises of Antrim Borough Council, Ards Borough Council, Ballymena Borough Council, Belfast City Council, Carrickfergus Borough Council, Castlereagh Borough Council, Down District Council, Larne Borough Council, Lisburn City Council, Newtownabbey Borough Council and North Down Borough Council. SWAMP covers the South West of the province and involves Armagh City and District Council, Banbridge District Council, Cookstown District Council, Craigavon Borough Council, Dungannon and South Tyrone Borough Council, Fermanagh District Council, Newry and Mourne District Council and Omagh District Council. The North West Region Waste Management Group consists of Ballymoney Borough Council, Coleraine Borough Council, Derry City Council, Limavady Borough Council, Magherafelt District Council, Moyle District Council, Strabane District Council.
2. The Waste Resources Action Programme (WRAP) was established as a not-for-profit company in 2000 and is backed by government funding from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland. It helps individuals, business and local authorities to reduce waste and recycle more, making better use of resources. It is providing specialist advice to government in relation to recyclables.
3. Northern Ireland Environment Agency is responsible for regulating businesses such as waste recycling operations and protecting the environment.
4. For media enquiries please contact DOE Press Office tel. 028 90540014 or out of office hours, contact EIS Duty Press Officer on pager 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.