Northern Ireland local authority collected municipal waste management statistics released - October to December 2024
Date published:
Provisional Northern Ireland local authority collected municipal waste management statistics for October to December 2024 have been published today by the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA).
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 234,229 tonnes of waste during October to December 2024, similar to the 233,694 tonnes collected during October to December 2023.
- During October to December 2024, 47.7% of waste collected by councils was sent for recycling which was lower than the 48.5% recycling rate recorded in the same quarter in 2023.
- The landfill rate for waste collected by councils was 16.2% in October to December 2024, a fall from both 75.4% in 2006 and 17.4% during October to December 2023.
- During October to December 2024, 34.6% of waste arisings were sent for energy recovery which was higher than the 32.8% reported in October to December 2023. In the longer term, energy recovery rates have increased from 0.5% recorded during October to December 2009.
- Household waste accounted for 87.6% of all Local Authority collected (LAC) waste during this period.
- The recycling rate for household waste only was 48.2% during October to December 2024 which is lower than 49.0% recorded during October to December 2023. The landfill rate for household waste was 16.0%, which was lower than the rate of 17.2% recorded in October to December 2023.
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 third report for the 2024/25 financial year covering the period October to December 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 2024/25 is scheduled for November 2025.
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. 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.
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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.