Rethinking Our Resources: Northern Ireland Resources and Waste Management Strategy

In 2026, the Northern Irish Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) published a public consultation on Rethinking Our Resources: the Northern Ireland Resources and Waste Management Strategy.

Our Land Condition Community convened expert voices to produce an authorative response to the consultation, recommending specific changes to the final Strategy:

• Bring forward the C&I baseline and reporting framework milestones (Actions 25–26) or add an interim data publication milestone, to ensure adequate data is available before the mid-point of the strategy period.
• Explicitly define which waste streams and sectors are in scope of the 70% by 2030 recycling target, as the draft Strategy acknowledges this scope is not yet defined (Section 2.3.2).
• Include an explicit statement committing to a timetable for the commencement of Part III of the WCLO, given the Strategy repeatedly relies on the Order as its statutory backbone.
• Ensure the Strategic Investment Board infrastructure assessment (due early 2026) includes a dedicated hazardous waste workstream covering options appraisal, planning pathways, and financing models.
• Commit to developing a Soil Passport Scheme (DoWCoP) to provide regulatory clarity on the reuse of excavated materials. This should be supported by the development of Materials Hubs and soil treatment plants to facilitate a "deposit/withdrawal" system, reducing reliance on landfill and resolving construction timetable conflicts.
• Develop financial support mechanisms for micro and small enterprises to meet new recycling obligations, to reduce the risk of non-compliance and perverse outcomes.

This strategy will be a critical opportunity to embed a long-term vision for resources and waste management in Northern Ireland. 

The IES welcomes the ambition of the Strategy and supports its overarching objective of transitioning Northern Ireland toward a circular, low-carbon economy. The targets set, particularly the 70% recycling rate by 2030 and the 10% landfill cap by 2035, are appropriately challenging and reflect Northern Ireland’s statutory obligations under the Climate Change Act 2022.

If you want to support our work to held Northern Ireland transition towards a circular economy, consider joining the IES or becoming an Affiliate. You can also find out more about the IES Land Condition Community and the work it does to share expertise, shape resources, and drive standards across the sector.

Header image credit: © Karepa | Adobe Stock