Waste Management

Castlereagh Borough Council is a partner council within arc21, the umbrella Waste Management Group for 11 councils in the east of Northern Ireland.  arc21’s aim is to encourage householders and businesses to reduce, reuse and recycle as much waste as possible and deliver new waste infrastructure facilities to manage waste in a more environmentally, sustainable manner.

Current main drivers for change in the way waste is managed include the European Union Waste Framework Directive, the European Union Landfill Directive and the Northern Ireland Waste Management Strategy.

The Landfill Directive (199/31/EC) sets statutory targets for the reduction in the quantity of biodegradable municipal waste (BMW) landfilled as follows:

• 75% of 1995 levels by 2010
• 50% of 1995 levels by 2013
• 35% of 1995 levels by 2020

Reductions in BMW are enacted through the Northern Ireland Landfill Allowance Scheme (NILAS), with each Council being allocated annual BMW landfill allowances, these decreasing year-on-year.  Significant financial penalties are associated with exceeding allowances.

The NI Waste Management Strategy sets recycling/composting targets for household waste as follows:

• Recycle and compost 35% of household waste by 2010
• Recycle and compost 40% of household waste by 2015
• Recycle and compost 45% of household waste by 2020*

(* The revised Waste Framework Directive (2008/98/EC) sets a revised target of 50%)

In response to these targets the Council has increased recycling and composting provision to reduce the quantity of waste being sent to landfill.  Kerbside recycling services are complimented with Household Recycling Centres and increased bring bank provision throughout the Borough.  The Council underpins these services with increased education and awareness, promoting greater environmental awareness through educational talks, visit and various initiatives.

Kerbside Recycling and Composting

In Castlereagh Borough Council there are two recycling schemes in place, depending on where you live. These include the blue bin (co-mingled) system and the kerbie box (source separated) system. To find out which scheme is in place in your area please contact Technical and Environmental Services on 02890494600.

The Council have also introduced the collection of food waste into the brown bin, for further information please see http://www.castlereagh.gov.uk/FWaste.asp.