13.8% increase in waste recovery in Derry/Strabane

Energy recovery for mixed residual waste accounted for a greater proportion of total energy recovery than specific streams such as wood, according to newly published statistics.

“The highest waste energy recovery rate was recorded in Newry, Mourne & Down at 48.0 per cent, down from 49.6 per cent between January and March 2019.

“The lowest rate recorded was 6.0 per cent in Ards & North Down, although this council was one of nine which reported increased waste energy recovery rates compared to last year, the largest of which was a 13.8 per cent increase in Derry City & Strabane,” according to the Department of Agriculture, Environment & Rural Affairs (DAERA),

A substantial decrease in landfilling was also reported.

“The two councils in the North West Region Waste Management Group reported the largest decreases to their household waste landfill rates, falling by 10.8 per cent in Derry City & Strabane and 10.2 per cent in Causeway Coast & Glens,” the report states.

Yet there was a year-on-year decrease in recycling.

“Six of the 11 councils reported decreased household recycling rates compared to January to March 2019, the largest of which were recorded in Fermanagh & Omagh and Derry City & Strabane.”