Resources and Waste Management Strategy consultation

Views sought on opportunities for moving towards a circular economy in new strategy.

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has launched a public consultation to seek views on the draft Rethinking Our Resources: Northern Ireland Resources and Waste Management Strategy.

The aim of the draft strategy is to move away from the linear model – of take, make, use and dispose – towards a circular approach of reduce, reuse, repair and recycle – leading by example in how to best manage natural resources and the benefits that can bring.

It aims to integrate policy reforms, modern technology, and partnerships to ensure long-term sustainability and adaptability. It focuses on controlled wastes from households, commercial and industrial premises, as well as category 3 animal by-products.

To help achieve this vision, the draft strategy sets out 10 targets and 63 actions which will help government and stakeholders meet and exceed targets, whilst transforming the landscape of waste management. These include:

• Actions on increasing waste prevention and reuse.
• Increased action on household and business recycling to improve the quantity and quality of material.
• The introduction of extended producer responsibility for packaging materials and a deposit return scheme.
• Further action to increase capture of food waste and ensure this type of waste is not sent to landfill.
• Actions to improve how we deal with waste in commercial and industrial settings.
• Case studies showing how action is already happening and helping to create change.

Find out more about the Rethinking Our Resources strategy and how to add your response.

First published 2 February 2026