To ask the First Minister and deputy First Minister to outline (i) when the Strategic Investment Board last completed an analysis of residual waste infrastructure requirements; (ii) the timeframe which such a review covered; and (iii) whether the Strategic Investment Board has any plans to review these assessments in light of (a) the passage of time; and (ii) the advancement in recycling rates and relevant technology since any reports were authored.

The last analysis of Municipal Solid Waste (MSW) waste arisings / infrastructure requirements was carried out over the period Oct 18 – Dec 19.

The last Review covered a timeframe 2019 – 2035, in line with the timescales in the EU Circular Economy Package, which sets a range of targets for MSW out to 2035, including specific recycling targets for 2025, 2030 and 2035 and a cap on waste to landfill of 10% by 2035.

In recognition of the global Corona virus pandemic SIB have already had discussions with DAERA officials about updating the Report to factor in the impacts of the Pandemic. SIB have agreed with DAERA officials that we will not undertake any further analysis until early to mid 2021. There would be low confidence limits in any analysis produced before this time due to economic uncertainties associated with the ongoing coronavirus pandemic.

The 2019 SIB review of MSW waste arisings factored in the most recent recycling rates for NI with verified recycling rates for NI at that time (2017/18 figures) with data taken from waste returns by all of the NI Councils. SIB recognises that there have been advancements in technology and continues to assess what role they could play in dealing with Northern Ireland’s waste.