Poots issues guidance on restarting waste services

He has given council chiefs five key principles to help them decide on any changes to waste services during the Covid-19 emergency.

The move comes after cemeteries have been reopened, and after most councils reopened their parks, subject to social distancing rules.

Mid and East Antrim Borough Council has already reopened some recycling centres after a spike in fly tipping.

Minister Poots said: “I recognise the vital importance that the waste sector plays in safeguarding public health, protecting the environment and servicing the economy. Waste and recycling services are critical public services and should be maintained as far as possible in order to protect the health of the Northern Ireland public from a build-up of waste; safeguard the important flow of materials, such as for food packaging; and deliver a low carbon circular economy agenda.”

The five principles he advised should be fulfilled before reopening recycling centres are;-

• Protecting the workforce who collect and processing waste material from Covid-19, and protecting the environment from the adverse consequences of waste not being managed effectively.

• Ensuring that proper account is taken of householders with limited waste storage capacity at their dwellings.

• Managing waste in line with the need to reduce, reuse, recycle, energy recovery and noting landfill requirements.

• Maintaining the operation of a diverse range of public facilities.

• Ensuring the flow of recycled materials to businesses, such as those using for food packaging, and those which derive energy from waste.