DAERA Launches Consultation on Plastic Pollution Plan for Northern Ireland

The Department of Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) has launched a public consultation on the new Plastic Pollution Plan for Northern Ireland (PPP NI), a strategic roadmap aimed at tackling one of the most persistent environmental challenges of our time.

The consultation, which opened on 2 July 2025 and runs until 24 September 2025, invites members of the public, businesses, organisations, and all interested parties to contribute ideas and feedback to help reduce plastic pollution and transition Northern Ireland towards a circular economy.

Why It Matters

Plastic pollution is a global problem, with communities, environmental groups, businesses, industries, and governments worldwide calling for action to reduce the impact of plastic pollution to our environment.

Globally, the production of plastics has increased exponentially from 2.3 million tonnes in 1950 to 448 million tonnes by 2015. Much of plastic waste is destined for landfill, incineration, or worse, littered across our landscapes and marine environments. An estimate of 9% of all plastic produced since 1950 has been recycled.

In Northern Ireland alone, over 250 million plastic bottles are discarded every year—equivalent to 95 bottles per person. Furthermore, plastic is also the most common type of marine litter found on Northern Ireland’s beaches.

Plastic pollution not only harms wildlife and ecosystems but also contributes to greenhouse gas emissions and undermines efforts to build a sustainable and resource-efficient society.

Aim of the Consultation on Plastic Pollution Plan

The main aim is to collect consultees’ views on plastic pollution in Northern Ireland, which will develop a future plan which will:

• Encourage and incentivise action and progress towards the elimination of plastic pollution in Northern Ireland
• The questions asked to consultees and the data received are timely and of good quality
• Help widen government’s understanding on the issues of plastic pollution so that well-informed policies and actions can deliver desired effects and benefits

Objectives of the Consultation on Plastic Pollution Plan

The main objectives that have been identified to complement the UN’s SDGs include:

• Reducing the impact of plastic pollution on the environment and have clean and biodiverse water, seas and oceans to improve the health and wellbeing of society
• Ensuring responsible consumption, production, and disposal of plastic, contributing to Net Zero through a reduction in plastic carbon emissions
• Building a sustainable community that is free from unnecessary plastic pollution

What the Plastic Pollution Plan Proposes

The Plastic Pollution Plan outlines a comprehensive framework for how Northern Ireland can reduce its dependency on single-use plastics and create a more sustainable materials economy. Key elements include:

• Policy alignment with the Environment Strategy for Northern Ireland and the Circular Economy Package.
• Support for reuse, refill, and reduction initiatives.
• Consideration of economic incentives, extended producer responsibility, and regulations to drive down plastic use.
• Measures to enhance waste prevention, recycling infrastructure, and public engagement.
• Reducing the use of problematic plastics in the public sector and encouraging better procurement practices.

Actions to Implement the Plastic Pollution Plan

The key actions for implementing this plan involve:

• DAERA will implement the Environmental Improvement Plan for Northern Ireland, with annual progress reports (Objective One)
• The Marine Litter Strategy for Northern Ireland is currently being reviewed and will be revised as necessary (Objective One)
• DAERA will continue to implement and review legislative targets that enable measures towards the elimination of plastic pollution (Objective Two)
• DAERA will continue to participate in global and UK initiatives that enable the elimination of plastic pollution (Objective Two)
• DAERA will review the Carrier Bag Levy and Legislation every 5 years to ensure its objectives are met (Objective Two)
• DAERA will work alongside other GB nations to implement a Deposit Return Scheme with a collection target of 90% within 3 years of operation (Objective Three)
• DAERA will continue to support the reuse, refill, and reduce network and measure environmental benefits from projects (Objective Three)

More of their actions and questions can be found in their Consultation Document.

The Plan also highlights the need to move away from a “take, make, dispose” model to a system where materials are kept in use for as long as possible, extracting the maximum value from them before recovery or recycling.

DAERA’s Call for Action

Launching the consultation, DAERA Minister Andrew Muir emphasised the urgency of the issue, stating:

“Despite efforts made to date to tackle it, plastic pollution remains a problem in Northern Ireland. Current practice is not going far enough to deliver the improvements needed and our consumption of natural resources and the waste streams we produce are not sustainable.”

Minister Muir also highlighted the potential for the Plan to support green jobs, new economic opportunities, and improved health outcomes through cleaner environments. The actions detailed in the plan offers such potential through investment in recycling infrastructure, new schemes, products and markets for plastic alternatives. These policies and actions will leave Northern Ireland better place for future generations.

How to Respond

Moreover, you can share your views by completing the online consultation available on DAERA’s website. The consultation is open between 2nd July 2025 until 24th September 2025, and responses are welcomed from all sectors of society who are interested in the matter.

📄 Download the Consultation Document
Website: Visit the DAERA Consultation Hub to respond online (primary method, encouraged to limit any environmental impact).
Email: singleuseplastics@daera-ni.gov.uk
Write to:
Single Use Plastics Legislation Branch
Environmental Resource Policy Division
Clare House
303 Airport Road West
Belfast
BT3 9ED

Next Steps

Following the consultation, DAERA will analyse responses and publish a summary outlining how the feedback has influenced final policy decisions. The goal is to develop an actionable, forward-looking strategy that helps Northern Ireland lead the way in tackling plastic waste and protecting our natural environment.

Your input can help shape a cleaner, more sustainable future. Make your voice heard before 24th September 2025.