Poots announces £200,000 funding from Rethink Waste Fund

The money will be used for a new recycling collection vehicle and 5,000 brown bins helping to divert tonnes of waste per annum from landfill and ultimately save ratepayers money.

Environment Minister Edwin Poots made the official announcement when he attended Sheskburn Centre that on Thursday. Ballymena Borough Council also received just under 200 000 for a compactor, kitchen waste caddies and a mobile recycling unit.

This windfall is in addition to the 30,500 awarded to Moyle District Council as part of the North West Region Waste Management Group's successful application for the purchase of compost bins through Round 1 of the Rethink Waste fund.

To date a total of 22 successful applications have been submitted through Round 2 of the Department of the Environment's Rethink Waste fund.

During visits to Moyle and Ballymena council headquarters, the Minister said: "Waste is an extremely valuable resource and we can no longer afford to ignore this value.

"Twenty two applications have been successful through Round 2 of the Rethink Waste Fund. These schemes will divert 14,000 tonnes of waste per annum from landfill and ultimately save ratepayers money. This is not only good for the economy but has tremendous environmental benefits. "

The Minister concluded: "Whilst the latest recycling figures indicate further progress in recycling, I am convinced that more can be done and I believe that this Rethink Waste funding will assist."

The 16 successful recipients (for 22 projects) are as follows: North Down, Armagh, Moyle, Newry & Mourne, Newtownabbey, Ballymena, Omagh, Banbridge, Craigavon, Fermanagh, SWaMP2oo8, Dungannon & S Tyrone, Larne and Cookstown.

Councils could apply individually, in partnership with other councils, with the community and voluntary sector, the private sector or through Northern Ireland's Waste Management Groups.

The Rethink Waste Fund was administered by the Department of Environment with the support of the Waste and Resources Action Programme (WRAP).

Northern Ireland is required to meet the European statutory household waste recycling target of 50% by 2020. The most recent data indicates that NI are currently recycling 35.6% of household waste.

Further details on the application process, including the assessment criteria, application form and guidance notes are available on http://www.rethinkwasteni.org.