Information unveiled by the Armagh City and District Council shows the rate of recycling since the introduction of 'kerbie' boxes and brown bins in 2002 has risen by 3,000 tonnes.
Now over 30 per cent of all the waste collected by the council is diverted from landfill, and is instead recycled, putting Armagh on track to meet strict EU targets on diverting waste.
Charles Rollston, Mayor of Armagh City and District Council, said: "In reducing the amount of waste we send to landfill we're helping to eliminate the potential financial burden to ratepayers while also helping the environment. By taking a proactive attitude to our EU waste obligations we're also paving the way for the development of new, innovative technologies that will go even further in helping us to minimise waste."
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Under the Northern Ireland Landfill Allowance Scheme (NILAS), councils must reduce the amount of waste sent to landfill or risk incurring severe financial penalties.
Armagh Council is one of eight council which make up the Southern Waste Management Partnership (SWaMP), which was set up in 2000, to reduce, reuse and recycle waste.
Councillor Francie Molloy, MLA and Chairman of SWaMP, said: "This is a great result for the whole region. Our approach has always been one of partnership and we're now seeing the benefits of that. The councils, local communities and other key stakeholders have all responded magnificently and this is reflected in the latest set of figures."
(GK/SP)
