Recycling of nappies to be brought before NI Assembly

An estimated three billion nappies are thrown away every year in the UK, accounting for 2-3% of all household waste, according to recycling charity Wrap.

Speaking to BBC News NI, McIlveen said that bringing her proposal forward is a way of tackling “the growing problem of disposable nappies” and finding a solution to help to achieve the overall target of 70% recycling by 2030.

The Strangford MLA said she would also encourage mothers to use cloth nappies.

McIlveen added that her proposal isn’t about doing away with disposable nappies, but rather recognising people have busy lives and “realising there’s been a reliance on disposable nappies so we need to look at alternatives”.

It comes as a proposed nappy collection service was dropped by Newry, Mourne and Down District Council (NMDDC) recently.

The council had been lobbied by Ards and North Down Borough Council to write to Muir to establish a new separate collection of hygiene products.

However, a DUP proposal in support fell through after NMDDC chief executive Marie Ward warned it would go against the council’s position on future household waste collections.