Annual statistics from DAERA show Northern Ireland maintaining recycling performance while achieving record reductions in landfill through increased energy recovery from municipal waste.
Northern Ireland's recycling rate remained broadly unchanged at 50.4 per cent in 2024/25, according to the latest local authority collected municipal waste management statistics from the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA), published yesterday (11 Dec).
The region's 11 councils collected 1,010,410 tonnes of waste during the year, a one per cent increase on the previous year's figure of 1,000,681 tonnes. Household waste accounted for 86.9 per cent of total arisings, with a household waste recycling rate of 51 per cent.
The data show a marked shift in waste treatment, with the landfill rate falling to a record low of 14 per cent, down from 18.4 per cent in 2023/24. Energy recovery, conversely, increased to 34.3 per cent from 29.7 per cent the previous year. The 71,828 tonnes of biodegradable waste sent to landfill represents a 24.7 per cent decrease from the 95,425 tonnes landfilled in 2023/24.
Council performance
Recycling rates varied considerably across councils. Mid Ulster recorded the highest household waste recycling rate at 59.3 per cent, followed by Antrim & Newtownabbey at 56.9 per cent. Belfast reported the lowest rate at 42.4 per cent.
Belfast also generated the smallest amount of household waste per capita at 397 kg, whilst Antrim & Newtownabbey recorded the largest at 555 kg per capita.
Five councils reported increased household recycling rates compared to 2023/24, while four reported decreases, with Antrim & Newtownabbey recording the largest fall at 2.5 percentage points. The remaining councils reported similar rates to the previous year.
Energy recovery rates showed substantial variation between councils. Belfast and Newry, Mourne & Down recorded the highest energy recovery rates at 59.5 per cent and 50 per cent respectively, while Mid & East Antrim recorded the lowest at 14.4 per cent. Ten councils reported an increase in energy recovery compared to 2023/24, with Fermanagh & Omagh recording the largest increase at 13.7 percentage points.
Mid Ulster recorded the lowest household landfill rate at close to zero per cent, whilst Mid & East Antrim recorded the highest at 34.4 per cent.
UK context
Northern Ireland continues to perform above the UK average for recycling. The latest comparable UK waste from households data for 2023 shows Northern Ireland at 50.2 per cent, ahead of England at 44 per cent and Scotland at 42.1 per cent, but behind Wales at 57 per cent.
The household recycling rate continues to exceed the Northern Ireland Waste Management Strategy target of 50 per cent by 2020, though the region has not achieved the more ambitious 60 per cent target for local authority collected municipal waste that was also set for 2020. The household recycling rate remains an indicator in the current Programme for Government 2024-2027.
The shift from landfill to energy recovery reflects broader trends in UK waste management, driven by landfill tax and statutory requirements for councils to provide separate food waste collection. The report notes that material from residual waste treatment can be sent for energy recovery as refuse derived fuel, diverting it from landfill.
| Council | Recycling Rate (%) | Landfill Rate (%) | Energy Recovery (%) | Waste Arisings (tonnes) |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Antrim & Newtownabbey | 56.9 | 12.3 | 21.8 | 109,022 |
| Ards & North Down | 51.9 | 24.9 | 22.2 | 84,920 |
| Armagh City, Banbridge & Craigavon | 52.3 | 5.5 | 40.9 | 111,798 |
| Belfast | 42.4 | 0.8 | 59.5 | 161,320 |
| Causeway Coast & Glens | 51.9 | 15.3 | 31.4 | 81,620 |
| Derry City & Strabane | 48.1 | 9.6 | 40.3 | 83,227 |
| Fermanagh & Omagh | 49.4 | 10.5 | 38.6 | 57,134 |
| Lisburn & Castlereagh | 51.9 | 19.3 | 28.1 | 78,589 |
| Mid & East Antrim | 52.9 | 34.4 | 14.4 | 75,398 |
| Mid Ulster | 59.3 | 0.1 | 39.4 | 84,182 |
| Newry, Mourne & Down | 48.5 | 1.5 | 50.0 | 83,200 |
| Northern Ireland | 50.4 | 14.0 | 34.3 | 1,010,410 |
Table: Northern Ireland local authority collected municipal waste 2024/25 (Source: DAERA)
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How will the government and DMOs address the challenges of including glass in DRS while ensuring a level playing field across the UK?
There's no easy solution to include glass in the DRS while maintaining a level playing field. Potential approaches include a phased introduction of glass, potentially with higher deposits to reflect its logistical challenges. The government and DMOs could incentivise innovation in glass packaging design and subsidise dedicated return points for glass-handling. Exemptions for smaller businesses unable to handle glass might also be necessary. Any successful solution will likely blend several approaches. It must address the differing priorities of devolved administrations, balance environmental benefits with logistical and cost implications, and be supported by robust consumer education campaigns emphasizing the importance of glass recycling.