The Challenge and Opportunity
Northern Ireland must manage its waste in a more environmentally responsible and sustainable way. Despite our notable success at achieving over 50% recycling after decades of effort and investment, we are currently landfilling or exporting over 400,000 tonnes of residual black bin waste per annum – that’s the waste that cannot be economically or sustainably recycled. In addition, other commercial and industrial residual waste must also be treated. A recent market report from the UK’s leading waste experts Tolvik Consulting has calculated that even if we achieve an ambitious recycling target of 65% by 2035, NI will still produce over 500,000 tonnes of residual waste per annum which can’t be recycled but should be treated in a sustainable manner.
