Northern Ireland local authority collected municipal waste management statistics released

Provisional Northern Ireland local authority collected municipal waste management statistics for April to June 2020 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. This the first quarterly waste report covering the period when measures were introduced in response to the Covid-19 pandemic.

Download the report

The key points are:

• Northern Ireland’s councils collected 236,560 tonnes of waste during April to June 2020 which was 10.8% lower than the same three months of 2019. This decrease is primarily due to the closure of Civic Amenity sites during the period although an increase in the tonnage of waste collected at kerbside and bring sites was recorded.
• During April to June 2020, 52.9% of waste collected by councils was sent for recycling, 1.3%V lower than recycling rate for April to June 2019.
• The landfill rate for waste collected by councils recorded a new low of 21.2% in April to June 2020, a fall from 72.5% in April to June 2006.
• Almost a quarter of waste arisings were sent for energy recovery in April to June 2020, compared to 18.7% in April to June 2019 and 0.1% during the same quarter 10 years ago.
• Household waste accounted for 92.9% of all waste collected during this period. The recycling rate for household waste was 54.4%. The landfill rate for household waste was 20.7%.

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 first report for the 2020/21 financial year covering the period April to June 2020. 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 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 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.

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 and Facebook.
8. All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office.
9. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hour’s service for media enquiries between 1800hrs and 0800hrs Monday to Friday and at weekends and public holidays. The duty press officer can be contacted on 028 9037 8110.

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