The 2021/22 Northern Ireland local authority collected municipal waste management annual statistics report has been published today by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
This statistical report is updated annually and contains 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 1,034,637 tonnes of waste during 2021/22 which was similar to the amount collected in 2020/21. During 2021/22, 49.7% of waste collected by councils was sent for recycling which was also similar to the recycling rate in 2020/21 (50.0%).
- The landfill rate for waste collected by councils was 24.9% in 2021/22, 2.1 percentage points higher than 22.8% in 2020/21 which was the lowest rate recorded.
- The energy recovery rate for waste arisings was 23.2% in 2021/22 compared to a quarter of arisings (24.6%) in 2020/21, and 0.4% 12 years ago.
- Household waste accounted for 88.0% of all local authority collected waste during 2021/22. The recycling rate for household waste was 50.1% while the landfill rate for household waste was 24.7%.
- Belfast generated the smallest amount of household waste per capita at 429 kg whilst Antrim & Newtownabbey recorded the largest at 554 kg per capita.
- There were 141,301 tonnes of biodegradable waste sent to landfill during 2021/22, an increase of 11.8% from the quantity reported in 2020/21 (126,404 tonnes).
Notes to editors:
1. This is the thirteenth issue of the Northern Ireland local authority collected municipal waste management statistics annual report. This annual report contains the final validated figures for 2021/22 which supersede those published in the quarterly reports for the period.
2. 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.
3. 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.
4. With the reform of local government in Northern Ireland 8 of the 11 district councils were split into two Waste Management Groups with 3 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.
5. 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.
6. All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office at: pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk.
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8. 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.