Resource & Waste Policy

DAERA and NIEA have responsibility in NI for making sure waste and resources are managed in a sustainable and safe way. This page is intended to be a “one stop shop” for any queries you have on waste policy (including legislation and regulation).

Over the last two decades we have made great strides in how we manage our waste, and the Department promotes movement of resources up the waste hierarchy as far as possible. This means that Waste Prevention should always be considered first, followed by reuse/repair then recycling. Recovery and Landfill should only be used as a last resort.

With the passing of NI’s Climate Change Act in 2022, the waste sector now has new statutory obligations to decarbonise by 2050. This means a move away from the highest GHG emitting processes to making sure our resources are used as efficiently as possible and materials stay in use for as long as possible, as well as reducing our reliance on landfilling and export.

If you have any questions about the information on this page or would like to highlight an error to the team, please contact wastepolicyteam@daera-ni.gov.uk.

Prevention & Re-use

Recycle

Recovery

Disposal

Waste Policy Tracker

Ahead of the development of a new Waste Management Strategy, DAERA has published a Waste Policy Tracker to act as a ‘one stop shop’ for stakeholders and members of the public to stay informed of the Department’s ongoing waste policy developments. The page contains a timeline that shows the next significant developments at a glance, and links to detailed updates on individual policies within the Tracker.

Strategy & Legislation

Extended Producer Responsibility

Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) is an established policy approach adopted by many countries around the world, across a broad range of products and materials. It gives producers an incentive to make better, more sustainable decisions at the product design stage including decisions that make it easier for products to be re-used or recycled at their end of life. It also places the financial cost of managing products once they reach end of life on producers.

Regulation & Guidance

Online waste management licensing exemptions

Information on waste management licensing exemptions

Regulating water discharges

Under the Water (Northern Ireland) Order 1999, the discharge of trade or sewage waste to any waterway, or any water contained underground requires the consent of the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs. This includes waste from any commercial, industrial or domestic premises not connected to the public sewer.

Applying to Abstract or Impound Water

Details of the application process to obtain a licence to abstract or impound water from surface or groundwater and the fees and charges applicable.

Public Inquiry: Dalradian Goldmine Applications for Discharge Consent and Abstraction & Impoundment Licence

The Department for Infrastructure (DfI) and the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) have directed the Planning Appeals Commission/Water Appeals Commission (PAC/WAC) to conduct Public Local Inquiries to consider representations made in respect of applications by Dalradian Gold related to a proposed goldmine at Curraghinalt, Co Tyrone.

Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment (WEEE) treatment facilities

The following information explains the regulatory requirements that apply to businesses in the waste management industry that operate WEEE treatment facilities. It explains the requirements for treating and exporting WEEE. It also details the current list of Approved Authorised Treatment Facilities and Approved Exporters of WEEE.

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Resource & Waste Policy

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