Recycling Tracker survey in Northern Ireland: Spring 2024

The Recycling Tracker survey uses boost sampling in Northern Ireland to provide a robust, enhanced sample of Northern Irish citizens. Fieldwork was undertaken online, from 21 March – 5 April 2024. A total of 750 adults in Northern Ireland were interviewed who have responsibility for dealing with the rubbish and recycling in the home. The sample set quotas on age, gender and region to closely represent the nation’s population.

Key findings

• Social norms: 23% of citizens in NI perceive a strong social norm for dry recycling, with an average score of 7.1 out of 10.  
• Recycling participation is high: 89% of citizens in NI regularly recycle at home.  
• But there are issues with contamination: 87% of citizens place non-recyclable items in recycling bins, slightly above the UK average of 82%. Common contaminants include drinking glasses (38%) and toothpaste tubes (33%).
• Missed capture: Three in four citizens in Northern Ireland (77%) still miss the opportunity to recycle one or more items, especially glass perfume bottles (43%) and foil (32%).
• Inaccuracy is exacerbated by knowledge gaps: only a little over one in twenty (7%) citizens report that they are ‘very confident’ about what can and cannot be recycled (compared to 9% in the UK); whereas almost three in five (58%) citizens say they are only mostly confident (UK – 51%). Confusion persists around items like foil pouches and plastic wrapping film.
• Communications are vital in boosting confidence: 76% of citizens who received communications from the council in 2023/2024 are very/mostly confident in what can/can’t be recycled, compared to 54% of citizens who don’t know/never received communications from the council.
• Trust in Council services: Just over half (56%) of citizens in Northern Ireland are confident that their council recycles the materials it collects, although only 15% are ‘very confident’ (compared to 51% and 11% for the UK average).
• Food waste recycling: Over three in four (77%) Northern Ireland citizens have access and use a food waste recycling service – a marginal decrease of 1% compared to 2023. However, 16% have a service but do not use it and 7% claim they do not have a service.