Northern Ireland local authority collected municipal waste management statistics released

Provisional Northern Ireland local authority collected municipal waste management statistics for October to December 2019 have been published by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

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. 

Download the Northern Ireland authority collected municipal waste management statistics 

The key points are:

• Northern Ireland’s councils collected 234,266 tonnes of waste during October to December 2019.
• During October to December 2019, 49% of waste collected by councils was sent for recycling. This is the highest rate ever recorded for Northern Ireland during October to December.
• The landfill rate for waste collected by councils recorded a new low of 24.1% in October to December 2019, a fall from 75.4% in October to December 2006.
• Almost a quarter of waste arisings were sent for energy recovery in October to December 2019 compared to 0.5% during the same quarter 10 years ago.
• Household waste accounted for 87.8% of all waste collected during this period. The recycling rate for household waste was 49.9%. The landfill rate for household waste was 23.8%.

Notes to editors: 

1. This is the latest in a regular series of quarterly Northern Ireland local authority collected municipal waste management statistics report and is the third report for the 2019/20 financial year covering the period October to December 2019. 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 2019/20 is scheduled for November 2020.
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 five main sections in the report which covers local authority collected municipal waste and, where appropriate, household waste: arisings; reuse, dry recycling, composting; energy recovery; landfill; and biodegradable 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. All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office. Out of office hours contact the Duty Press Officer on 028 9037 8110.

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