RSUA has called on the Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) to introduce dedicated measures to prevent construction and demolition (C&D) waste as part of its response to the Department’s public consultation on the Waste Prevention Programme.
Absence of dedicated C&D actions
C&D waste is the largest waste stream in Northern Ireland. According to figures included in DAERA’s recent Resources and Waste Management Strategy (2026), C&D waste accounted for approximately 49% to 55% of total waste arisings in 2021–22.
The Waste Regulations (Northern Ireland) 2011 recognise the significant contribution of C&D waste by requiring the Waste Prevention Programme to include measures that encourage the reuse of construction materials and reduce waste generated through construction and demolition activities.
Despite DAERA’s statement that “the actions contained in this document take all the waste prevention measures into account”, RSUA is concerned that the Programme contains no dedicated actions aimed at preventing C&D waste.
RSUA has asked the Department to review its approach to ensure that C&D waste prevention is specifically addressed and that the Programme supports compliance with its legal obligations.
Preventing and reusing C&D waste
To support the prevention and reusage of C&D waste, RSUA has recommended that DAERA consider the following measures:
More information
Our full consultation response can be accessed here.
If you have any questions or comments about this response, please contact Curtis Large, RSUA Policy and Public Affairs Officer, at curtis@rsua.org.uk
