Provisional Northern Ireland local authority collected municipal waste management statistics for October to December 2021 have been published today by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
This statistical report is updated quarterly and contains provisional information on key measurements of local authority collected (LAC) municipal waste for councils and waste management groups in Northern Ireland.
The key points are:
- Northern Ireland’s councils collected 244,715 tonnes of waste during October to December 2021, a 4.4% decrease compared to October to December 2020.
- During October to December 2021, 47.7% of waste collected by councils was sent for recycling, similar to the recycling rate for October to December 2020.
- The landfill rate for waste collected by councils was 30.0% in October to December 2021, a fall from 75.4% in October to December 2006, but higher than the 23.3% recorded during October to December 2020.
- Just over a fifth (20.3%) of waste arisings were sent for energy recovery in October to December 2021, lower than the 26.4% reported in October to December 2020, but an increase from the 0.5% rate during the same quarter in 2009.
- Household waste accounted for 88.3% of all waste collected during this period.
- The recycling rate for household waste was 48.4%, similar to 48.0% in October to December 2020. The landfill rate for household waste was 29.2% in October to December 2021, an increase from 23.0% recorded during the same quarter of 2020.
Notes to editors:
1. This is the latest in a regular series of quarterly Northern Ireland local authority collected municipal waste management statistics reports and is the third report for the 2021/22 financial year covering the period October to December 2021. Current and previous reports dating back to 2009/10 can be accessed from the DAERA website. The series will continue to be updated on a quarterly basis.
2. All figures are provisional until the final end-year validation has been completed. An annual report with fully validated figures for 2021/22 is scheduled for November 2022.
3. The data in this report are based on returns made to WasteDataFlow, which is a web based system, used by all UK local authorities to report LAC municipal waste.
4. There are four main sections in the report which covers local authority collected municipal waste and, where appropriate, household waste: arisings; reuse, dry recycling, composting; energy recovery; and landfill.
5. With the reform of local government in Northern Ireland eight of the 11 district councils were split into two Waste Management Groups with three unaffiliated to any group as follows:
arc21: Antrim & Newtownabbey; Ards & North Down, Belfast, Lisburn & Castlereagh; Mid & East Antrim; Newry, Mourne & Down.
North West Regional Waste Management Group: Causeway Coast & Glens; Derry City & Strabane.
6. These statistics are released according to the Statement of Compliance with the Pre-release access to Official Statistics Order (NI) 2009. National Statistics meet the highest standards of trustworthiness, quality and public value. They undergo regular quality assurance reviews to ensure that they meet customer needs. They are produced free from any political interference.
7. Follow DAERA on Twitter at and Facebook.
8. All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office: pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk
9. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.