Waste targets are a 'step in the right direction'

Ulster Unionist environment spokesperson, Roy Beggs Jnr MLA, has said that an increase in household recycling, as revealed by Department of Environment figures, is a "step in the right direction".

"While I applaud the fact that, thanks to the efforts of householders across the province, Northern Ireland has exceeded its 35% domestic recycling target set for 2010, the ultimate goal must be that landfill is a last resort," the East Antrim UUP MLA said.

"Recycling is an important factor in conserving natural resources and greatly contributes towards improving the environment, and so the fact that it is becoming more of a social 'norm' is very welcome.

"That being said, we cannot afford to rest on our laurels. A large percentage of UK households still do not recycle enough and throw much of what they consider to be rubbish into their ordinary bin. In actual fact a large proportion of this waste can be recycled and should be disposed of separately to general household waste.

"Conserving our limited resources must be a clear priority, right down to reducing, through improved packaging and minimisation, the amount of waste that is produced in the first place.

"The recycling buck can't stop with homes - shops, factories and offices have a clear responsibility to play their part.

"Domestic refuse makes up just nine per cent of Britain's total waste, meaning that the commercial and industrial sectors have a significant role in driving down our refuse output."