Belfast recycling centres face ‘waste tourism’ pressure

Belfast does operate a booking system for vans, which was also examined in the report.

It found that from January to March, 156 accounts placed 6,868 bookings – about 56% of total bookings.

The report concluded the lack of access policies for Belfast recycling centres meant they were the “path of least resistance for those who may wish to exploit this opportunity”.

This was having a detrimental impact, both financially and on recycling performance at the council’s sites.

The report was discussed at a recent council committee, with councillors agreeing to develop an action plan.

Green Party councillor Anthony Flynn said it was “scandalous” Belfast ratepayers were facing “additional costs to dispose of residual waste from other council areas”.

“This is happening because of Belfast City Council’s lack of updated waste acceptance criteria and no overarching waste strategy from Stormont or joined-up thinking across council areas,” he said.