NI Recycling Increases

The local authority collected municipal recycling and composting rate increased to its highest ever Winter level of 36.4% during the period from January to March this year, according to the Department for the Environment.

This indicated a 1% increase on the same period in 2013. The household recycling rate also increased by the same amount from 36.0% to 37.0%.

Environment Minister Mark H Durkan said: "The sustained increase in recycling is good news with the highest ever municipal Winter recycling level recorded. The increase in compostable waste recycled shows that the public is increasingly using organic recycling kerbside collection services in the North.

"However, we all need to renew our efforts to recycle plastics, cans, paper and cardboard. Today’s figures show a levelling off on household recycling for these key materials. The recycling of these valuable resources can generate significant economic benefits for society. Otherwise they get dumped in a landfill and become an unnecessary cost.

"It is easy for all of us to recycle at home by simply taking a little time to use our local council kerbside recycling service. At this time of year we should try to export our eco-friendly habits by using recycling facilities when on holiday."

(IT/CD)