A multi-million pound scheme that is set to change how Northern Ireland handles its waste was given the green light today.
The Under Secretary at the Northern Ireland Office with responsibility for the Department of Environment (DoE), Ms Angela Smith, told the province's 26 district councils they could go ahead with a new Waste Management Plan.
The plan, which includes the provision of kerbside collection of segregated waste using specially colour-coded bins, have been developed following the Wake Up To Wastepublic consultation.
Ms Smith said: "Today represents a milestone in the efforts of the councils and the DoE in charting out how Northern Ireland is going to achieve a reduction in the amount of waste produced and the waste going to landfill".
Extra bins for households and businesses to separate waste will be the most obvious signs of change, she said.
However, a range of infrastructure issues were also included in the plan - involving greater recycling opportunities and the possibilities of large-scale composting of biodegradable waste and energy from waste.
PA