To ask the Minister of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs, pursuant to AQW 9851/17-22, for his assessment of how continued restrictions at household recycling centres are affecting (i) recycling; (ii) illegal waste disposal; (iii) fly-tipping levels; and (iv) the environment in general.

The majority of Household Waste Recycling Centres (HWRCs) have now re-opened across Northern Ireland, with 94 out of 96 sites now operational. While most HWRCs are now accepting all previous waste streams, local Councils have had to implement a number of measures across sites to ensure the health and safety of staff and the public. Despite this, the impact on recycling overall appears to be limited, with recycling statistics dropping only 0.1% over a rolling 12 month period. Likewise, the current level and types of illegal waste disposal incidents being reported appear to be on a par with pre-COVID levels.

There has been no lasting impact on the environment in general. Dumping of small-scale waste that should otherwise be disposed of at HWRCs is cleared when DCs are made aware of it.