Northern Ireland
A revised Waste Management Strategy was launched in March 2006: Towards Resource Management: The Northern Ireland Waste Management Strategy 2006 - 2020. The main focus of the first Waste Management Strategy (2000) was on municipal waste. This remains an important waste stream but the new strategy will focus on all controlled wastes, many of which are produced in considerable quantities, such as construction, demolition and excavation wastes. The new strategy places more emphasis on waste prevention and reinforces the need to increase waste recycling and recovery.
For construction, demolition and excavation wastes there are a number of key actions and targets:
Waste Prevention
- Publish Departmental Waste Management Action Plans which may include specific targets for the proportion of reused and recycled materials in public sector construction contracts;
- Department to produce detailed proposals for consultation on a statutory requirement to prepare Site Waste Management Plans as a tool to help minimise waste on construction projects.
- Waste Prevention Forum to design SMART targets for the prevention of municipal, commercial and industrial waste and construction, demolition and excavation wastes by 2010.
Recycling and Recovery
- 75% of Construction, Demolition and Excavation Wastes to be recycled or reused by 2020
Data and Research
New surveys to update baseline information on commercial and industrial, and construction, demolition and excavation wastes, using the findings of the 2005/06 surveys by September 2006.