Plastic Pollution Plan for Northern Ireland
The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is leading on work to bring forward the Plastic Pollution Plan for Northern Ireland (the Plan).
It is an overarching document with the aim of addressing and tackling the problem of plastic pollution in Northern Ireland. It will collate the targets incorporated in existing policies and strategies and identify the actions and activities taking place or planned that will contribute to eliminating unnecessary plastic in Northern Ireland.
In June 2021, DAERA launched a call for evidence to help inform the development of the Plan. The information gathered in the Call for Evidence has been analysed in order to supplement the wider research and stakeholder engagement that has been undertaken to inform the Plan.
A public consultation on the Plastic Pollution Plan for Northern Ireland was launched on 2 July 2025 and closed on 24 September 2025. Responses will be considered in the development of the final plan, which will be published in due course.
Plastic Pollution Reduction Plan
The Single-Use Plastic Reduction Action Plan (Plan) was agreed by the Northern Ireland Executive in October 2020. The overall aim of the Plan was to work towards a ban on unnecessary Single-Use Plastic (SUP) across the Northern Ireland Civil Service (NICS) government estate by October 2021.
The Department of Finance (DoF)’s Construction & Procurement Delivery (CPD) led on the work with supplies and contractors, and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) led on raising awareness and changing behaviour across the NICS with a view to eliminating unnecessary SUP, as well as increasing waste prevention and recycling rates across our estate.
DAERA, in partnership with the DoF removed all unnecessary SUP from the Government Estate within the target date of October 2021. See the link below for details on annual reports and the final report:
Single-Use Plastic Reduction Action Plan
Other Useful Links:
Public consultation on the Plastic Pollution Plan for Northern Ireland
Consultation on the Plastic Pollution Plan for NI
Equality and Disability Screening Assessment - Plastic Pollution Plan for Northern Ireland
Rural Needs Impact Assessment - Plastic Pollution Plan for Northern Ireland