Recycling message 'hitting home'

More household waste is being recycled in Belfast

The message that more household waste should be recycled is hitting home, Belfast City Council has claimed.

The council has said 23% of such waste in the city is now recycled - an increase of more than 10% in three years.

However, more has to be done if tough European targets are to be met and substantial fines avoided, the council has said.

It is running its annual waste fair in the grounds of the City Hall this week.

"As consumers, we're seeing steadily increasing household bills and the cost of what's in our shopping trolley is also on the up," the council's Cathal Mulligan said.

"This year we decided to focus on the food waste we produce on a daily basis and look at ways we can cut down on what we throw out, as well as disposing of food waste in a more environmentally-friendly way."