Environment Minister launches campaign to reduce waste

The Department of Environment Minister, Sam Foster has spoke of the need to reduce waste output in Northern Ireland and the enormous challenge that lies ahead to achieve it.

The Minister spoke at the launch a major advertising campaign to reduce mountains of waste throughout the province at the Odyssey’s W5 on Thursday February 7.

Mr Foster said: “It is essential that we wake up to the damage which waste can cause to our environment and our local economy.

“The changes we need to put in place will take investment, innovation and commitment. It will mean taking responsibility on ourselves, for us and for our children. It’s your chance to make a difference.”

The advert coincides with the launch of the local councils consultation on the three regional Waste Management Plans for Northern Ireland.

The purpose of the plans are to show how a network of local facilities can be developed that will enable recycling and recovery targets to be met in the future. It is estimated that a capital investment of some £400 million will be required to achieve this.

The campaign is timed to highlight and maximise public participation during the consultation period for the Waste Management Plans (7 February – 7 May). The final plans will be produced by the end of June.

The campaign will also incorporate a major new TV advert, radio and press adverts and will build upon the new awareness with a waste action programme. A pioneering pilot education programme ‘Kids Against Waste – Wake up to Waste for Schools’ will deliver waste education to a number of schools in every council area between March and June.

In addition all households will be asked to respond to questions such as the supply of extra bins for paper or increased access to bottle banks and the use of landfill and energy from waste through incineration plants. (AMcE)