Nesbitt says public aware of waste issues

According to the Assembly Environment Minister, waste has become a major issue for people in Northern Ireland, with many households taking part in the consultation over plans for future waste management by Local Councils.

Over 60,000 people, some 10% of all households, took part in the consultation process rolled out by the three regional council groupings, enabling the public to have their say about future plans for dealing with waste.

Environment Minister Dermot Nesbitt, said: "I am delighted with the level of public participation in the process. Waste is an issue, which I want to see dealt with. This is a very impressive response, which is encouraging as it reflects high levels of public awareness about the problems we face in dealing with waste. The feedback from the public will be invaluable in delivering the right solution for waste management in Northern Ireland.

"If this level of public involvement is sustained and developed we should see the community’s concerns about waste begin to translate to lifestyle changes and a cultural shift in our societies attitude about responsibility for waste.

Mr Nesbitt said such involvement as essential if the targets and deadlines set down by the European Union were to be achieved. These require 25% recovery of municipal waste by 2005 – at present the average across Northern Ireland is under 7%

The consultation process, which began in February with the first phase of the 'Wake Up to Waste' campaign, has now been completed, but the campaign will continue with a programme for action that will be launched in September.

(SP)