Causeway Coast & Glens tops the list in NI as the region with the most rejected recycling

New research has revealed that Causeway Coast & Glens tops the list in NI for recycling rejection rates in Northern Ireland.

Belfast waste management experts at BusinessWaste.co.uk have analysed data to uncover the regions where the most and least recycling is actually recycled. Data from DEFRA and DAERA was used to calculate the recycling rejection rates for local authorities across England and Northern Ireland. 

Causeway Coast & Glens tops the list in Northern Ireland as the region with the most rejected recycling at 17.99%. This means out of all recycling collected, close to one fifth never actually goes on to be recycled. Residents in the area sent 10,790 tonnes of waste for recycling, of which 1,941 tonnes were rejected. This waste will likely either be sent to Energy-from-Waste (EfW) plants or, worst case scenario, go to landfill. The council also sits at 21st on the overall England and Northern Ireland rankings for recycling rejection rates. 

In the same study Derry City & Strabane ranks 8th and Mid Ulster ranks 10th. 

Graham Matthews, Belfast waste management expert at BusinessWaste.co.uk, comments: “There is a certain onus on households to ensure they are recycling correctly to reduce contamination. However, we’d encourage local councils to dedicate resources to educating the public on how best they can avoid recycling rejection with guidance on what can and can’t be recycled, alongside tips for cleaning materials. Local councils could also consider imposing fines more frequently for those who regularly disregard recycling rules as a deterrent.”