• Date:

  12 Mar 2026

• Time:

  2:00 pm – 2:45 pm

• Location:

  Teams Webinar

• Price:

  This event is free to attend

About this session

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) is launching a public consultation to seek views on the draft Rethinking Our Resources: Northern Ireland Resources and Waste Management Strategy.

Business in the Community has organised this online event to provide businesses with a clear overview of the draft Strategy and give them a valuable opportunity to influence policy, understand upcoming changes, and ensure their organisation’s needs are represented.

During the session, a DAERA representative will offer a concise business-focused overview of the draft Strategy, practical guidance on completing the consultation, and there will be an opportunity to share your views with the Department and to ask questions.

About the Rethinking Our Resources: Northern Ireland Resources and Waste Management Strategy

The aim of the draft Rethinking Our Resources: Northern Ireland Resources and Waste Management Strategy is to move away from the linear model – of take, make, use and dispose – towards a circular approach of reduce, reuse, repair and recycle – leading by example in how to best manage natural resources and the benefits that can bring.

The draft strategy aims to integrate policy reforms, modern technology, and partnerships to ensure long-term sustainability and adaptability. It focuses on controlled wastes from households, commercial and industrial premises, as well as category 3 animal by-products.

To help achieve this vision, the draft strategy sets out 10 targets and 63 actions which will help government, and our stakeholders meet and exceed targets, whilst transforming the landscape of waste management. These include:

• Actions on increasing waste prevention and reuse
• Increased action on household and business recycling to improve the quantity and quality of material
• The introduction of extended producer responsibility for packing materials and a deposit return scheme
• Further action to increase capture of food waste and ensure this type of waste is not sent to landfill
• Actions to improve how we deal with waste in commercial and industrial settings
• Case studies showing how action is already happening and helping to create change

Speakers

• Shane Doris, Director of Environmental Resources Policy Division
• Alan Collins, Policy Advisor for the Waste and Resources Strategy
• Host | Keelin McCone, Head of Environment, Business in the Community NI

Audience

This is open to all businesses across Northern Ireland and, as a funded event, members and non-members of Business in the Community are welcome to attend.

Links to relevant webpages

Consultation page:  Rethinking Our Resources: Northern Ireland Resources and Waste Management Strategy | Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs