The key aim of this Strategy is to achieve fully sustainable waste management in Northern Ireland. This is defined as using material resources more efficiently to cut down on waste production.

Where waste is generated, it should be dealt with it in a way which minimises impacts on the environment and contributes positively to economic and social development. The Department of the Environment will take the lead in implementing the Strategy in conjunction with all major stakeholder groups.

The challenge is to unlock the full potential for development and improvement of the waste management sector in Northern Ireland. This will make a major contribution to safeguarding the environment and promoting resource efficiency and economic growth.

The key objectives of the Strategy are:

• To reduce the quantities of waste generated and maximise reuse, recycling and recovery of those materials which enter the waste stream
  
• To ensure that waste is managed with minimum impact on the environment and public health
  
• To put in place a framework for the preparation of joint Waste Management Plans and develop an integrated network of regional waste management facilities which are cost effective to the public
  
• To attract investment, support economic development and create opportunities for increased employment and wealth creation
  
• To demonstrate leadership by adopting and promoting more sustainable practices of resource consumption and waste management
  
• To put in place a regulatory framework which supports those businesses who actively work towards more efficient and sustainable use of resources
  
• To provide the public with increased opportunity to contribute to environmental protection on individual and household levels

This Strategy contains the Department's policies in relation to the reduction, reuse, recycling, recovery and disposal of waste, and is a statutory document under Article 19 of The Waste & Contaminated Land (Northern Ireland) Order 1997. It provides direction for transforming waste management practices in Northern Ireland; acts as the framework for the preparation of Waste Management Plans by District Councils; and is a material consideration in determining planning applications and appeals.

The Strategy presents a series of Policy Statements and provisional targets, which outline an agreed way forward.

Primary Targets

• Recover 25% of household waste by 2005
  
• Recover 40% of household waste by 2010, of which 25% shall be by recycling or composting
  
• Reduce the landfilling of industrial and commercial wastes to 85% of 1998 levels by 2005
  
• Reduce the quantities of biodegradable municipal wastes being landfilled to 75% of 1995 baseline levels by 2010, 50% by 2013 and 35% by 2020

Secondary Targets

• Stem the increase in waste arisings per household, returning to 1998 levels by 2005 and thereafter reduce arisings by 1% every three years
  
• Each District Council to set out in a Waste Management Plan provision for recycling or composting 15% of their household waste arisings by 2005
  
• The Department to specify, and introduce in 2002, a mandatory recycled content for selected products and materials purchased
  
• Recover a minimum of 50% of packaging waste, of which at least 25% shall be recycled and at least 15% of each packaging material recycled
  
• Reduce the quantity of biodegradable municipal waste being landfilled to 85% of 1995 levels by 2005
  
• The Department to reduce its overall paper use by 10% by 2002
  
• Recover a minimum of 85% of the materials in End of Life Vehicles by 2005 and a minimum of 90% by 2015
  
• Recover a minimum of 90% of large WEEE by 2004 and a minimum of 70% of small WEEE
  
• Recover 85% of waste tyres by 2005 and 100% by 2010

A review of the Strategy will be carried out in 2003 and it is intended that the provisional targets will become mandatory following that review.