Your recycling and what happens to it

What happens to recycling collected in Northern Ireland?

My Recycling NI allows you to see what happens to your waste and recycling collected in Northern Ireland.

Total recycled in 2020/21

All local councils in Northern Ireland (tonnes)
515k

Recycling rate in 2020/21

All local councils in Northern Ireland
50%
140kg
The average person recycled in 2020/21
132kg
The average person composted in 2020/21

What happens to your waste

All local councils in Northern Ireland

Where does NI’s recycling go?

Destinations (selected materials)

Local councils

Find your local council

Materials recycled

Tonnes sent to be recycled based on 2020/21

The average person produces…

Waste not recycled per person 2020/21
272kg

Most of this could be recycled, but is currently sent for disposal

The average person produces…

Total waste per person 2020/21
544kg

This includes recycling as well as residual waste