Northern Ireland local authority collected municipal waste management statistics released

Date published: 24 October 2024

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Provisional Northern Ireland local authority collected municipal waste management statistics for April to June 2024 have been published today by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs.

DARD statistics

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.

The key points are:

  • Northern Ireland’s councils collected 271,501 tonnes of waste during April to June 2024, higher than the 267,107 tonnes collected during April to June 2023.
  • During April to June 2024, 53.8 per cent of waste collected by councils was sent for recycling, similar to the recycling rate recorded for April to June 2023.
  • The landfill rate for waste collected by councils was 15.8 per cent in April to June 2024, a fall from both 72.5 per cent in April to June 2007 and 20.2 per cent during April to June 2023.
  • During April to June 2024, 29.5 per cent of waste arisings were sent for energy recovery which was higher than the 24.6 per cent reported in April to June 2023. In the longer term, energy recovery rates have increased from 0.1 per cent recorded during April to June 2010.
  • Household waste accounted for 86.8 per cent of all Local Authority collected (LAC) waste during this period.
  • The recycling rate for household waste only was 54.5 per cent during April to June 2024, an increase from 53.8 per cent recorded during April to June 2023. The landfill rate for household waste was 15.4 per cent, which was lower than the rate of 19.8 per cent recorded in April to June 2023.

Further information

The statistical report containing more detail.

Notes to editors: 

1. This is the latest in a regular series of quarterly Northern Ireland local authority collected municipal waste management statistics reports and is the first report for the 2024/25 financial year covering the period April to June 2024. 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 2023/24 is scheduled for November 2024.

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: https://www.daera-ni.gov.uk/articles/dard-statistics-charter-and-pre-release-access-statements. 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 X formerly called Twitter and Facebook.

8. All media queries should be directed to the DAERA Press Office: pressoffice.group@daera-ni.gov.uk or telephone: 028 9016 3460.

9. The Executive Information Service operates an out of hours service for media enquiries only 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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