Mid Ulster district has the highest recycling rate in Northern Ireland

by Gráinne Connolly

Mid Ulster has achieved the highest overall recycling rate of all 11 councils for the first quarter of 2017/2018 (April-June 2017). 

Figures released show Mid Ulster's overall recycling rate stands at 60.18% for the quarter; which is up from 55.34% for the same period last year and the best of all the 11 councils. 

However, the figures also show that the dry recycling rate increased by only 1.62% for the quarter (from 21.37% to 22.99%). 

These statistics were released ahead of this year's Recycle Week which starts today, 25th September and runs until 1st October. 

(Councillor Ronan McGinley, Chair of the Environment Committee is encouraging residents to recycle correctly in the blue bin and support the theme of this year’s Recycle Week.)

Recyle week encourages residents to recycle more efficiently in their blue bins. 

Blue bins should be used for disposing of paper, cardboard, aerosol cans, food and drink cans, plastic bottles and containers, envelopes and glass. 

Items such as nappies, liquids and food waste can't be disposed of in the blue bin. 

Most people remember to dispose of every day kitchen items like plastic bottles and cereal boxes in the blue bin, so this year recycle week aims to remind people that it can also be used for disposing of bathroom and bedroom items like empty deodorants, aerosols and perfume and after shave bottles. 

Aerosols such as deodorants and hair sprays can be recycled again and again without any loss in quality, so you may see them come back again in items such as parts of your mobile phones, dishwashers or even another aerosol can. 

If everyone in Mid Ulster recycled one more deodorant, it would save enough energy to power a typical primary school for 50 days. 

The Chair of the Council's Environment Committee, Councillor Ronan McGinley commented:

"The fact that Mid Ulster has once again achieved the highest overall recycling rate of all 11 councils here proves there is a hige recycling effort being made in the district. 

"These incredible figyres don't just keep happening by chance. 

"We are very fortunate that the majority of our residents are doing the work on the ground and supporting the council in its dedication to promote recycling.

"However, there is always more that can be done and recycling week this year gives us the perfect opportunity to tackle the blue bin recycling head on. 

"Remember recycling doesn't just happen in the kitchen, make sure you are also disposing of all appropriate bathroom and bedroom items correctly in the blue bin."