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arc21 launches new Corporate Plan 2024-2028

26 July 2024

arc21 launches new Corporate Plan 2024-2028
arc21 has published its new Corporate Plan for the next four-year period 2024-28.  The Plan outlines the challenges arising from a range of new policy initiatives which the resources and waste management sector in Northern Ireland are expected to experience over the next four years and identifies how arc21 expects to respond.

 

arc21’s acting Chief Executive, Tim Walker, said: “The “success” of arc21 has been that it has been providing services for over twenty years without undue fuss. 
 
The focus of this Corporate Plan will be to continue to engage with and provide services to various stakeholders, to deliver the existing contracts, to address relevant audit recommendations and to procure new services for existing waste streams and supplies as needed, with a firm eye upon what is practicable within the financial constraints facing councils.
 
One item which will be front and centre during the term of this Plan will be the Circular Economy which is taking shape with targets and initiatives now being written into several Departmental policies.  This work mirrors the need for the sector to also consider (and address) its carbon footprint in line with UK Net Zero commitments.  At the time of writing, the sectoral plan for waste has been published for consultation – issues such as reviewing the amount of materials exported, delivering 70% recycling and sending only 10% of waste to landfill are covered.  This also means that our reliance upon landfill for final disposal will have to reduce drastically, or cease completely.
 
Also, in 2024 it is likely that DAERA will consult upon its new Waste Management Strategy, for finalisation next year. This will frame how councils in Northern Ireland will be expected to address the pipeline of initiatives supporting the Circular Economy such as:
  • the introduction of Extended Producer Responsibility (EPR) (2025),
  • new waste tracking arrangements (2025),
  • new collection arrangements for waste electrical and electronic equipment (WEEE) (2026),
  • the introduction of the Deposit Return Scheme (DRS) (2027),
  • the collection of flexible plastics (2027), and
  • the inclusion of energy-from-waste facilities into the UK emissions trading scheme (2028).
 
These are all environmentally positive measures which will shift the emphasis for waste management options further up the waste hierarchy – but they will require changes in what we do with our resources and waste.
 
Assessing the financial implications for councils from these changes will also be challenging. The pipeline of policies and impending associated statutory provisions means there’s much for councils and the arc21 team to grapple with.”
 
The Chair, Councillor Michael Goodman, said:
 
“Looking ahead, given the importance of providing reliable, compliant and robust services, this Corporate Plan will focus on continuing to procure services and provide access to infrastructure for our constituent councils during the greatest change seen in the sector so far this century.
 
For example, there will be changes for arc21’s councils arising from striving to deliver ever-increasing recycling targets within the Circular Economy package, shifting away from landfill and preparing for a new Waste Strategy for Northern Ireland, while also preparing to deliver Net Zero targets.
 
It cannot be understated; the coming four years are going to be busy for everyone working with waste.
 
And I have no doubt that the arc21 team will continue to strive to shape the local policy landscape and market awareness and offer advice and expertise on how to best introduce the changes brought about by public procurement regulations, statutory environmental targets and market dynamics.”
 
The new Corporate Plan 2024-28 can be viewed here.