A Stormont overhaul of Northern Ireland bin collections will cost ratepayers £1 billion, it is claimed.
Waste management firm Re-Gen says the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) plans for how waste and recycling is lifted from local homes will leave councils facing huge costs.
DAERA’s public consultation ‘Rethinking Our Resources’, which ends this week, proposes greater separation of waste materials with six household bins collected every three weeks.
But Newry firm Re-Gen says DAERA’s move away from the current three bin and co-mingled recycling is “unjustified”.
CEO of Re-Gen, Joseph Doherty said:
“The evidence is clear the three-bin system encourages more recycling so is better for the environment, is preferred by householders for its simplicity and also produces a premium level of recyclate to help bolster Northern Ireland’s circular economy.
“We encourage DAERA to adopt the three bin, fully co-mingled system, and let recycling companies do what we do best, sort waste and produce high quality recyclate, which is better for our planet.
“A six-bin system, is unjustified and any money spent on it would be better spent on hospitals and schools.”
Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC) and Lisburn and Castlereagh City Council (LCCC) have both rejected the DAERA proposal in their recent consultation responses.
Press or click on image below for more on response to consultation from Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.
Currently Re-Gen manages recycling materials for Armagh, Banbridge and Craigavon (ABC), NMDDC, Causeway Coast and Glens and Mid-Ulster councils.
It also takes residual waste from NMDDC, Mid Ulster, Belfast and the legacy Banbridge council area.The Climate Change Act (NI) 2022 places a duty on DAERA to ensure that at least 70% of waste is recycled by 2030. Any new changes by DAERA would give councils a 24 month time-frame to comply.
Re-Gen claims ratepayers would face a £1bn bill across the next seven years to convert all council areas to kerbside sorting in six bins.
Mr Doherty added:
“The three-bin system, sorts waste using the latest and fastest developing technology such as robotics and artificial intelligence.
“It also produces high quality paper, plastic and metal recyclate, which is used by local companies to make new products.
“With a small investment, glass could also be used by the local recycling sector, a move which would help complete the circular waste economy.”
The DAERA public consultation closes on 27 June.
Press or click on image below for more on response to consultation from Mid and East Antrim Borough Council.
