Progress Report 2006 - environment.nsw.gov.au...† There was a significant increase (38%) in the amount of vegetation waste generated and an increase of 6% in the proportion recycled,

NSW Government Waste Reducation

and Purchasing Policy (WRAPP)

Progress Report 2006

NSW Government Waste Reduction


Progress Report 2006

NSW Government Waste Reduction


Published by

Department of Environment and Conservation NSWLevel 2, 1 Fitzwilliam Street,Parramatta NSW 2150Phone: 131 555 (NSW only – publication and information requests)Phone: (02) 8837 6000 (switchboard)Fax: (02) 8837 6099Email: [email protected]: www.environment.nsw.gov.au

ISBN 1 920887 28 8DEC 2006/466Published September 2006Copyright © Department of Environment and Conservation NSW September 2006Printed on recycled paper

Disclaimer

The Department of Environment and Conservation NSW has made all reasonable efforts to ensure that the contents of this document are factual and free of error. However the DEC shall not be liable for any damage or loss which may occur in relation to any person taking action or not on the basis of this document.

Copyright

The Department of Environment and Conservation NSW is pleased to allow this material to be reproduced in whole or in part, provided the meaning is unchanged and its source, publisher and authorship are acknowledged.

3NSW Government Waste Reduction and Purchasing Policy (WRAPP) Progress Report 2006

Executive Summary ......................................................................................................................................4

Chapter 1. Introduction .................................................................................................................................6

Chapter 2. Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery...............................................................................7

Overview 7 Contribution to Greenhouse Gas Reduction 8 Trends in Paper and Other Office Products 9 Trends in Vegetation, Construction and Demolition Materials 10

Chapter 3. Purchase of recycled content products .................................................................................11

Overview 11 Trends in Recycled Content Office Products 11 Trends in Recycled Content Landscaping and Construction Materials 12

Chapter 4. Case Studies ............................................................................................................................ 13

Sustainable design and construction – it’s in your court 13 Improving business processes to reduce resource consumption and build a better environment 14 Driving on old truck tyres 14 Household garden waste improving water quality – recycled organics role in erosion control 15 Hunting down ways to recycle and keep the environment healthy 16 Environmental criteria in new printers and copiers prove to be real treasures 16 Recycling of mobile phones – hang up on waste and get back on the rails! 17 Having worms helps the environment 17 Recycling old timber poles – a powerful way to help the environment 18 Glass concrete and scrap rubber asphalt 18 Public place recycling is good – for sure! 19 Education works for the bottom line and the environment 20

Chapter 5. WRAPP Implementation .......................................................................................................... 22

Current Focus and Objectives 22 Continuous Improvement 22 Reporting 23 The Data in this Report 23 Future Direction 23

Appendix 1. Glossary ................................................................................................................................. 24

Definitions of terms used in this Report 24 Definitions of waste and purchasing materials for WRAPP reporting 25

Appendix 2. Waste and Recycling Data ................................................................................................... 28

Appendix 3. Purchasing Data .................................................................................................................... 30

Appendix 4. WRAPP Timeline ................................................................................................................... 32

Appendix 5: Agencies Covered by the WRAPP ....................................................................................... 33

Appendix 6. The NSW Waste Reduction and Purchasing Policy (1997) ............................................... 36

Contents

NSW Government Waste Reduction and Purchasing Policy (WRAPP) Progress Report 20064

NSW State Government agencies generally made good progress between 2003 and 2005 in reducing waste, improving recycling rates and increasing their purchase of materials with recycled content.

According to the whole-of-government Waste Reduction and Purchasing Policy (WRAPP) report for the period, the NSW public sector is on track or exceeding a number of the targets under the NSW Waste Reduction and Resource Recovery (WA&RR) Strategy for many of the major waste streams generated by it.

In particular, the recycling rate of agency construction and demolition materials is now 89%, which exceeds the 2014 WA&RR target of 76% for the construction and demolition sector.

The 2003 – 2005 WRAPP data also shows NSW government agencies are currently achieving a recycling rate of 82% for paper and cardboard packaging.

Some of the key results for the 2003 – 2005 reporting period included a dramatic improvement in the cardboard recycling rate, which more than doubled, up from 40% in 2003 to 82% in 2005, while the paper recycling rate across all agencies increased from 73% in 2003 to 82% in 2005 (up from 59% in 2001).

At the same time the purchase of copy paper with recycled content increased from 36% in 2003 to 44% in 2005 – a significant increase on 2001, when only 19% of copy paper purchased had recycled content. In terms of reams, the amount of recycled content copy paper purchased annually doubled from 443,292 reams in 2001 to 905,641 reams in 2005.

There was a dramatic improvement in the purchase of recycled content A4 notebooks and writing pads, which increased to 2,965,848, representing 80% of the total purchased in 2005, compared with 137,648 (18%) in 2003 – in large part due to a decision by the Department of Education and Training to switch to recycled content exercise books for school students.

Executive Summary

According to agencies’ reports on efforts to avoid waste, there was a significant decrease (28%) in the amount of toner cartridges used between 2003 and 2005.

The reuse and/or recycling of computers and monitors also improved, with 70% of units reused or recycled in 2005, up from 51% in 2003.

Strong progress was reported on the overall proportion of landscaping and construction materials purchased with recycled content, up from 31% in 2003 to 73% in 2005 – a massive improvement on the 2001 figure of just 4%.

The improvement was strongest in the purchase of recycled content landscape materials, with a total of 355,776 tonnes purchased, representing 82% of all material used.

In terms of recycling of vegetation, construction and demolition waste, increased rates were reported in 2005 for most individual materials, with strong improvement in the recycling rates for vegetation (up 6%), asphalt (up 11%) and plasterboard (up 4%). In fact with the exception of bricks and tiles (34%), glass (38%) and plasterboard (11%) all other materials achieved a recycling rate above 50% in 2005. The recycling rates for steel and non-ferrous metals remained very high at 95% and 99% respectively.

Agencies recovered a total of 454,552 tonnes of waste (excluding fill and VENM) and diverted it for recycling, resulting in a reduction of approximately 118,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions (CO2 equivalent).

However, the agencies’ reports showed there is still room for improvement, with recycling rates for timber, bricks and glass down, and the purchase of recycled content printing paper and toner cartridges also down, despite advances in product quality and performance.

Overall consumption of paper products (including cardboard packaging) increased by 6% to 21,153 tonnes but remains less than the 23,267 tonnes consumed in 2001.


The total amount of printing paper purchased increased by 15%. While 345,723 reams contained recycled content, as a proportion of total printing paper purchased, recycled content represented 21% in 2005, down from 23% in 2003.

The proportion of remanufactured toner cartridges purchased also decreased from 25% in 2003 to 19% in 2005.

Over the next 12 months, the WRAPP will be reviewed to better align its outcomes with other government initiatives including the NSW Greenhouse Plan, the Extended Producer Responsibility Statement and the revised Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy.

In addition, the Policy’s purchasing provisions will be strengthened to take advantage of new opportunities in government procurement including electronic purchasing (Smartbuy) and whole-of-government contracting.

To further improve the ability of agencies to meet the aims and requirements of the WRAPP, during the 2005-2007 reporting period the Department of Environment and Conservation NSW will work with key agencies to:

• facilitate networking by groups of agencies with similar waste and recycling issues;

• co-ordinate training for agency staff in waste management and sustainable purchasing;

• disseminate information, product guides and specifications on targeted recycled content products; and

• develop online reporting.

The WRAPP was introduced in 1997 as part of the NSW Government’s commitment to show leadership in the sustainable management of its processes, operations and public assets.

The WRAPP requires all NSW government agencies and State Owned Corporations to develop and implement WRAPP Plans aimed at reducing waste and increasing the purchase of materials with recycled content. They must report on their progress every two years.


The Waste Reduction and Purchasing Policy (WRAPP) requires all NSW State Government agencies and State Owned Corporations (referred to as ‘agencies’ in this report) to reduce waste and to increase the purchase of materials with recycled content.

The WRAPP helps agencies to evaluate and improve their procurement processes and purchasing decisions, enabling them to support environmentally friendly practices and also make cost savings.

Under the WRAPP agencies need to develop and implement a waste reduction and purchasing plan that aims to reduce waste and increase the purchase of recycled content materials.

Agencies are required to report to the Department of Environment and Conservation NSW (DEC) every two years on progress in implementing their plans. The DEC must report agencies’ achievements in a whole-of-government WRAPP Progress Report, as well as in its State of the Environment Report.

Under the WRAPP, agencies collect and report information on the total quantity of the following materials being disposed of and recycled:

• paper and cardboard;

• office equipment;

• vegetation waste; and

• construction and demolition waste.

Agencies also collect and report on the total quantity of the following materials being purchased, and the proportion with recycled content:

• paper;

• office products;

• landscaping products; and

• construction materials.

Chapter 1. Introduction

Support for the WRAPP is provided to agencies by the DEC. This includes training courses, education resources, guidelines and technical assistance.

This 2006 WRAPP Progress Report provides the results of reports from 122 agencies for the 2003 – 2005 reporting period representing 95% of agencies required to report under the Policy. A list of reporting and non-reporting agencies is provided in Appendix 5.

All data is self-reported and unaudited.

The Report provides information on agencies’ progress in improving waste avoidance and resource recovery (Chapter 2), as well as the purchase of recycled content products (Chapter 3).

Successful approaches from the following agencies are included as case studies in Chapter 4 of this report:

• Attorney General’s Department NSW;

• Building and Construction Industry Long Service Payments Corporation;

• Energy Australia;

• Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment Management Authority;

• Hunter-New England Area Health Service;

• Integral Energy;

• NSW Treasury;

• Rail Corporation NSW;

• Roads and Traffic Authority;

• Sydney Catchment Authority;

• Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority; and

• Sydney West Area Health Service.


Key findings for the 2003-2005 reporting period

• The paper recycling rate increased from 73% to 82%.

• Overall generation of waste paper

products increased by 6%. However, more of this material was recycled 82% (in 2005) compared to 58% (in 2003).

• Almost all agencies (99%) have an office

recycling system.

• The cardboard recycling rate rose from 40% to 82%.

• The amount of waste paper disposed to

landfill increased by 81 tonnes (or 3%).

• The recycling rate for used toner cartridges

rose from 42% to 52%. The recycling rate was particularly high among medium-size agencies where the recycling rate is 94%.

• In the construction materials category, the most significant improvements were in the recycling rate for waste fill, which rose from 68% to 94% and waste asphalt 83% to 94%.

• The recycling rate for bricks and tiles dropped from 56% to 34%.

• There was a significant increase (38%) in the amount of vegetation waste generated

and an increase of 6% in the proportion recycled, from 81% to 87%.

OverviewThe NSW Government is committed to ensuring that the public sector plays its part in avoiding and reducing waste. This contributes to:

• less use of natural resources per capita;

• lower waste management costs because there is less waste to manage;

Chapter 2. Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery

• reduction in the environmental and health impacts from waste; and

• reduction in the community’s concern about siting new waste management and reprocessing facilities.

In 2005 all agencies reported that they had implemented waste avoidance measures in the workplace. Initiatives commonly undertaken included:

• double sided printing (89% of agencies);

• internet and electronic publishing (97% of agencies);

• extending office and building refurbishment cycles (78% of agencies); and

• ordering materials in standard sizes (89% of agencies).

Agency reporting also highlighted areas for improvement:

• only 27% of agencies have negotiated arrangements with their suppliers to take back packaging for recycling;

• only 40% of agencies have a dedicated WRAPP section on their Intranet; and

• only 53% of agencies have incorporated waste and recycling systems training into inductions for new staff.

Due to the scope and diversity of its activities, there is no single approach to preventing and avoiding waste that can be universally applied across the NSW public sector. The ability of agencies to prevent waste depends on factors such as geographic location, number of staff, location of staff (centrally or spread out), core business activities, technology, available infrastructure and economic circumstances.

The NSW Government’s Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery (WA&RR) Strategy sets targets for major waste producing sectors of the economy.


WRAPP is one of the primary vehicles that enables State Government agencies to make a considerable contribution to the Strategy targets.

While there is still much to be achieved, the NSW public sector is on track or exceeding a number of the Strategy’s targets for many of the major waste streams generated by it.

The vast majority of agencies have implemented office recycling systems to ensure valuable resources such as paper, cardboard and toner cartridges are diverted from NSW landfills and that they are beneficially re-used or recycled.

The WA&RR Strategy sets ambitious resource recovery targets to be achieved by 2014. For the commercial sector it seeks an increase in materials recycling from the current 33% to 63%. The target for the construction and demolition sector is to increase recycling from the current 75% to 76%.

The 2003 – 2005 WRAPP data shows NSW government agencies are currently achieving a recycling rate of 82% for paper and cardboard packaging. This is making a solid contribution to the commercial sector’s 2014 target.

The recycling rate of agency construction and demolition materials is 89%, which exceeds the target for the construction and demolition sector.

Contribution to Greenhouse Gas ReductionAgencies recovered a total of 454,552 tonnes of waste and diverted it for recycling (excluding fill and VENM). This resulted in a reduction of approximately 118,000 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions (CO2 equivalent). The table below details the relative contribution of each material recycled.

Reporting Categories (tonnes) Quantity

Recycled

kg CO2 eq/tonne

recycled

Tonnes CO2-eq

Office Paper 12,849 1,200 15,419

Cardboard Packaging 4,462 1,100 4,908

Used toner cartridges 17 2,117 36

Computers and monitors 470 3,644 1,713

Vegetation waste 98,087 401 39,333

Concrete 96,499 8 732

Asphalt 197,222 57 11,242

Timber 8,228 43 354

Bricks and roof tiles 6,379 8 51

Glass 160 917 147

Plasterboard 84 274 23

Steel 9,958 488 4,860

Non-ferrous metal 2,554 15,177 38,762

Mixed C and D waste 17,583 8 141

Total 454,552 117,719


Office Recycling Rates

59%

2001 2003 2005

61%73%

40%

82% 82%

Cardboard

All Office Paper

Trends in Paper and Other Office ProductsIn 2005 agencies provided information on the consumption of:

• office paper, which includes

> copy paper (A4 and A3 white printer and photocopy paper) and

> other office paper (stationery, folders, files, publications, phone books, and newspapers);

• cardboard packaging;

• toner cartridges; and

• computers and monitors.

Between 2003 and 2005, the total amount of waste office paper generated by agencies increased from 10,551 tonnes to 15,736 tonnes. At the same time the proportion of this paper recovered for recycling increased, with copy paper recycling rising from 77% to 82% and the recycling of other office paper rising from 60% to 81%.

The amount of cardboard packaging generated by agencies decreased from 9,428 tonnes in 2003 to 5,417 tonnes in 2005, a decrease of 43%. During that period the proportion of waste cardboard packaging that was recovered for recycling rose from 40% to 82%.

99% of all agencies reported they have put in place paper and cardboard recycling systems. These systems recovered and recycled a total of 17,311 tonnes of paper and cardboard in 2005. It is estimated that if all this material were used to make new recycled content paper and cardboard, it would save the equivalent of 225,043 trees.

79%

42%51% 52%

70%

2001 2003 2005

Office Recycling Rates

Toner Cartridges

Computers

The amount of used toner cartridges disposed by agencies decreased between the 2003 and 2005 reporting periods. Agencies disposed of 157,409 used cartridges in 2003 and 113,948 in 2005. The recycling rate for used toner cartridges increased during this time, up from 42% in 2003 to 52% in 2005.

The 10% increase in the recycling rate for used toner cartridges appears to indicate an improvement in the reliability and availability of used cartridge collection systems. 98% of agencies reported that they now have toner cartridge recycling systems in place in their major offices.

2005 was the second reporting period to gather information from agencies on waste and recycling related to computers and monitors. In 2003, agencies reported that 21,938 units were reused or recycled, representing 51% of the 42,765 units disposed of. For the 2005 reporting period, 44,727 units, or 70% of the 64,025 units, were reused or recycled.

As in 2003, many agencies mentioned that recycling of used computer equipment often occurred through auctions or donations to community groups. The ReConnectNSW Computer ReUse Program, a program initiated and managed by the Government Chief Information Office within the NSW Department of Commerce, coordinates the refurbishment and distribution of unwanted working computers from Government agencies to disadvantaged educational institutions, individuals and community groups.


Trends in Vegetation, Construction and Demolition MaterialsUnder the WRAPP, agencies undertaking construction, maintenance and demolition activities are required to provide data on vegetation, construction and demolition waste. Agencies reported on eleven major categories of materials.

In 2005, 61 agencies reported activities under this category compared with 64 agencies in 2003 and 47 agencies in 2001.

As in previous reporting periods, the amounts of vegetation, construction and demolition waste materials generated and the total amounts recycled showed mixed results.

A significant proportion (43%) of those reporting under this category have systems in place for re-using, composting or mulching their vegetation waste.

The total amount of vegetation waste generated by agencies has progressively increased across reporting years from 77,694 tonnes in 2001 to 81,310 tonnes in 2003, to 112,125 tonnes in 2005. Most of this continues to be recycled (87%).

The amount of construction and demolition waste materials generated by agencies has been highly variable. Reported construction and demolition waste materials fell from 10.1 million tonnes in 2001 to 2.9 million tonnes in 2003, and increased to 6.7 million tonnes in 2005. These peaks and troughs are considered (as reported in the 2004 Report) to reflect the variation in capital works and infrastructure projects between reporting periods.

Despite the changes in the amounts produced, the proportion of materials recovered for recycling remains very high and has increased from 75% in 2003 to 89% in 2005.

Reported recycling rates for individual construction and demolition waste materials between the 2003-2005 reporting periods were also mixed.

The biggest increases in recycling rates were for asphalt (up from 83% in 2003 to 94% to 2005), vegetation waste (up from 81% to 87%) and concrete (up from 74% to 76%).

Agencies also reported that the recycling rate for waste plasterboard increased from 7% in 2003 to 11% in 2005. The recycling rates for steel and non-ferrous metals were maintained at a very high 95% and 99% respectively.

Construction and Demolition Recycling Rate

2001

79% 75%89%

2003 2005

Decreases were reported for timber (down from 58% to 52%), bricks and roof tiles (down from 56% to 34%) and glass (down from 47% to 38%).

Fill and virgin excavated natural material (VENM) are two categories where agencies have been inconsistent in defining and reporting the material as waste and this potentially distorts the reported data. The amounts of these materials can also vary depending on the intensity and scale of capital works programs. In 2005 agencies reported generating 6,326,185 tonnes of fill and VENM, which is more than double the reported amount of 2,176,697 in 2003 but significantly less than the 9,643,547 tonnes reported in 2001.

The category ‘mixed construction and demolition waste’ is defined as having no single material comprise more than 50% of a load. Agencies reported generating 43,569 tonnes of mixed construction and demolition waste in 2005, a decrease from 67,490 tonnes in 2003.


Key Findings 2003-2005 reporting period

• Purchase of copy paper with recycled

content increased by 5% to 905,641 reams.

• 44% of copy paper purchased in 2005 had recycled content compared with 36% in 2003.

• The total amount of copy paper purchased decreased by 14% to 2,043,827 reams.

• Purchasing of printing paper with recycled

content increased 7% to 345,723 reams.

• 21% of printing paper purchased in 2005 had recycled content compared with 23% in 2003.

• The total amount of printing paper

purchased increased by 15% to 1,649,205 reams.

• Fewer re-manufactured toner cartridges

were purchased, accounting for 19% of purchases in 2005, down from 25% in 2003, and 49% in 2001.

• Significant increases were reported in the purchase of construction materials with recycled content, including landscaping materials (up 67%), bricks and roof tiles (up 9%) and fill (up 79%).

• The use of recycled content asphalt has fallen 31%.

OverviewThe purchasing power of the NSW public sector is substantial with more than $10.5 billion spent each year on goods and services and approximately $6.5 billion spent on capital works.

Under the WRAPP, NSW government agencies must report on their progress in increasing the range and quantity of recycled content materials being purchased. They are also encouraged

Chapter 3. Purchase of recycled content products

to ensure contract specifications support the purchase of recycled content products where appropriate.

Government agencies can use these actions to lead market behaviour by preferentially purchasing environmentally sound products, including products that use recycled materials.

The purchase of recycled content products has often proved cost effective for agencies and many are now making informed choices on appropriate recycled content office products for their agency’s particular requirements.

However, the complexities surrounding pre and post consumer content, material source, energy consumption, and environmental impact, have prevented a standardised approach in Australia. The onus for recycled content product identification is currently placed on product manufacturers and suppliers.

Trends in Recycled Content Office ProductsOf the total amount of copy paper purchased by agencies, the proportion containing recycled content increased from 36% in 2003 to 44% in 2005. The total amount of recycled content copy

paper purchased annually has doubled from 443,292 reams in 2001 to 905,641 reams in 2005. It is also important to note that agencies are significantly reducing their overall consumption of copy paper. The total amount of copy paper

purchased decreased by 14% (down 323,972 reams) since 2003.

Total purchase of printing paper has remained relatively steady from 2001 to 2005 at around 1.6 million reams. The amount of recycled content printing paper purchased annually has also remained relatively steady (323,949 reams in 2003 and 345,723 in 2005) and now represents 21% of all printing paper used.


Agencies have reported an increase in the number of new toner cartridges purchased, from 111,855 in 2003 to 133,226 in 2005. Of these, re-manufactured (recycled) toner cartridges accounted for just 19% of total purchases in 2005, against 25% of total purchases in 2003. This is likely to be a result of ongoing uncertainty in the market surrounding the performance and warranty of re-manufactured or recycled cartridges.

The purchase of recycled content A4 notebooks and writing pads increased to 2,965,848, representing 80% of the total purchased in 2005, compared with 137,648 (18%) in 2003. The single largest contributor to this dramatic increase is the Department of Education and Training, which undertook a major project to switch to recycled content exercise books for school students.

19%

36%

2001 2003 2005

44%

Purchase of Recycled Content Copy Paper

Agencies reported purchasing 3,211,931 recycled content stationery items, including toner cartridges, envelopes, note pads, etc. These accounted for 70% of total purchased stationery items reported under the WRAPP.

Trends in Recycled Content Landscaping and Construction MaterialsAgencies provided data on both the total amount of landscaping and construction materials purchased and the amount with recycled content. Agencies reported on eight major categories of materials.

As in previous reporting periods, the amount of landscaping and construction materials reported and the proportions of recycled content show mixed results.

The total amount of landscaping and construction materials purchased by agencies increased significantly from 2.5 million tonnes in 2003 to 9.3 million tonnes in 2005. This reflects the variations in capital works and infrastructure projects between reporting periods. The most noticeable increase was in the purchase of fill and VENM, up by 5.9 million tonnes.

In parallel with the increase in the total amount purchased, the overall proportion with recycled content increased from 31% in 2003 to 73% in 2005.

Increased recycled content was significant for landscaping materials, fill and bricks and tiles. For example, the total amount of landscaping materials purchased increased from 50,390 tonnes in 2003 to 432,940 tonnes in 2005. The proportion with recycled content was very high at 82% (or 355,776 tonnes).

Recycled content in purchases of concrete, asphalt and sand dropped, while the proportions of recycled content aggregates and timber remained steady.

4%

31%

2001 2003 2005

73%

Purchase of Recycled Content Construction

and Landscaping Material


Agencies reported many excellent examples of initiatives to avoid and reduce waste in their 2005 reports.

The case studies provided below show the range of initiatives being undertaken and the results of these efforts.

Sustainable design and construction – it’s in your court

Attorney General’s DepartmentThe Attorney General’s Department’s (AGD) Waste Reduction and Purchasing Plan contains a broad mandate for the AGD to reduce waste.

In 2004 the AGD developed Court House Design Guidelines as part of its WRAPP. The guidelines establish appropriate and consistent sustainable design standards for new courthouse construction, including provisions that design must include, wherever possible, the use of reusable and/or environmentally friendly materials.

The guidelines were implemented into the design briefs and contract procurement processes for several major projects, including courthouses at Blacktown, Bankstown, Mount Druitt and Broadmeadow. The construction contracts for these courthouses contained clauses relating to waste minimisation, in particular waste reporting, and the reuse of demolition materials on site (such as concrete and masonry).

As a result, the NSW Children’s Court at Broadmeadow reused 100% of the masonry and concrete recovered from the demolition of the existing building. The demolition contractor crushed this material on-site and used it to

Chapter 4. Case Studies

compact the already reclaimed land. The total quantity re-used was 4,500 tonnes and the savings in avoided waste disposal costs (not including transport and crushing costs) was approximately $270,000, based on local landfill fees of $60/tonne.

All waste metal reclaimed from the demolition – approximately 100 tonnes in total - was also sent to a metal recycler. The total waste sent to landfill from the demolition of the existing building was approximately 400 tonnes – less than 10% of the total material generated by the demolition.

The Design Guidelines were also used throughout the design process of the new courthouse at Bankstown, which stipulated that, where possible, waste materials (e.g. timber framing, copper plumbing, bricks and concrete) from demolition of the existing building should be recycled.

In addition, the design incorporated materials with recycled content, including reconstructed timber veneers in court rooms manufactured from plantation timber from managed forests, recycled content Sadlerstone tiles in foyer, carpet tiles manufactured from recycled post-industrial waste (these tiles can also be recycled into carpet backing at the end of useful life) and workstation fabrics manufactured from recycled polyester (recyclable at the end of useful life).

These projects have demonstrated that applying sustainability principles early in the design and construction process can save money as well as benefiting the environment.


Improving business processes to reduce resource consumption and build a better environment

Building and Construction Industry Long Service Payments CorporationThe improvement of business processes to make them more efficient and to improve customer service often has the added benefit of reducing the amount of resources consumed by those processes.

In 2001 the Building and Construction Industry Long Service Payments Corporation commissioned a project team to develop and implement the electronic lodgement of Employer Certificates of Service for the recording of service of more than 43,000 workers in the building and construction industry. This project was fully implemented during the 2003-2005 WRAPP reporting period.

So far more than 131,000 certificates have been lodged electronically. This has meant that the usual agency stock of in excess of 150,000 paper forms did not have to be printed, and the use of these snapset chemical carbon impregnated triplicate forms is now being progressively phased out.

The introduction of electronic lodgement followed a successful pilot run with several large employers. In the first year the initiative targeted larger industry employers who were provided with training and information packages. While only 8,800 certificates were lodged electronically in the first year, feedback indicated that more employers would lodge certificates for their workers using this method as the process became easier.

Because the paper forms were time consuming to complete, especially if the employer had a large number of employees, electronic lodgement saves employers time and resources. For the Building and Construction Industry Long Service Payments Corporation, electronic lodgement improves the quality of the data received and eliminates the need for the data entry of certificates lodged.

The Corporation continues to refine the electronic lodgement process. Initially employers lodged their information using Excel™ spreadsheets. The service is now available via email using a template that has built in intelligence to reduce errors.

The cost savings to the Corporation for 2004/05 were approximately $32,500 ($98,000 since implementation) with nearly 20% of savings coming from the reduced need to print forms.

In 2006/07 the Building and Construction Industry Long Service Payments Corporation expects that most of the service records of building and construction industry workers will be collected electronically, providing even greater efficiency gains and a further significant reduction in paper use.

Following the success of this initiative, the Corporation has also implemented an Electronic Document Records Management System that has improved the ability of officers to accurately capture and track records. Implemented in 2004, in the first twelve months it was estimated that the system avoided the printing of over 50,000 A4 pages for filing or distribution, as documents were saved or circulated electronically.

Driving on old truck tyres

EnergyAustraliaAccording to the NSW Extended Producer Responsibility Statement, there are an estimated 5.4 million unwanted tyres generated in NSW each year.

EnergyAustralia has put more than 100,000 old unwanted truck tyres to good use in the construction of access roads in environmentally sensitive areas.

As part of a major capital works program to upgrade the electricity supply from Tomago to the Tomaree Peninsula in the Hunter region, EnergyAustralia needed to install both new permanent access roads and temporary roads across swampland, several large agricultural drains, a SEPP 14 wetland, as well as flooded and waterlogged areas.

Following a successful three-year trial in a wetland area on a track that had frequent heavy vehicle movements, EnergyAustralia selected the E-Pave system, developed by Ecoflex Australia as the most appropriate road system to meet the necessary economic and environmental outcomes. Made from recycled truck tyres that are laid on a geofabric membrane, and then filled with


aggregate to provide a stable all-weather access road for vehicles, the Ecoflex E-Pave system is permeable both vertically and horizontally and can be constructed over areas inundated with water. The system can be laid in any weather conditions, which ensures production schedules are met. It also restricts all vehicles and equipment to the immediate access road width, thereby eliminating damage to adjacent land. Additionally, E-Pave can be placed without major excavation (minimising the need to excavate potential acid sulphate soils); it can be laid over soft ground and in otherwise inaccessible areas; and it also allows the free flow of water through the road.

The Tomaree Peninsula road was completed in October 2004 and used 75,000 unwanted truck tyres. This equates to 375,000 equivalent passenger unit (EPU) tyres. The recycled tyre road system cost approximately 15% less than the conventional approach. As well, the system required 60% less fill material than a conventional pavement and, according to the supplier, this saved 2,110 tonnes of greenhouse gas emissions. The supplier also estimates that the Tomaree Peninsula project saved approximately $400,000 in avoided landfill costs.

EnergyAustralia has now carried out six projects using E-Pave access tracks including Tarro in April 2005, which used 7,000 truck tyres, and Kurnell in October 2005, which used 5,000 truck tyres.

Household garden waste improving water quality – recycled organics role in erosion control

Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment Management Authority (HNCMA)More than 10% of the Sydney drinking water catchment is affected by a high level of erosion, which impacts on the quality of these waterways. However, in the first large-scale Australian trials, streams and degraded land in the catchment have been improved using recycled household garden waste collected by Sydney and Illawarra councils.

In 2005, the Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment Management Authority (HNCMA) conducted trials using more than 5,500 cubic metres of composted mulch and soil conditioner on six sites around Goulburn, in the Upper Sydney Catchment. Sites were chosen to demonstrate the use of composted garden waste on a range of soils and constructed earthworks with the aim of improving the establishment of vegetation and subsequent soil stability.

The implementation of this project was coordinated through the HNCMA’s Soil and Land Program in association with the Department of Environment and Conservation NSW (DEC) and the Department of Primary Industry (DPI).

Before the trials got underway, the DEC and the HNCMA undertook a review of specifications in Australian Standard AS4454 in light of requirements for the application of composted garden waste to drinking water catchment areas. Barriers to the initiative predominantly focused around logistics including site access, efficiency of spreading equipment and the volume of compost on individual sites.

Results of the trials showed that composted mulch and soil conditioner is more economical than straw – the traditional material used in these situations – which has restricted availability and increased in price as a result of the drought.

Research undertaken by the DEC and the DPI also showed that compost helps to reduce soil erosion by up to 85%.

The trials also demonstrated a number of other benefits of using composted garden waste, including:

• enhanced and rapid vegetation establishment;

• suitability on a range of soils;

• increased soil stability on disturbed areas;

• composts adaptable to a range of sites and slope; and

• increased retention of soil moisture.

With more than 80% of councils in the Sydney metropolitan, Hunter and Illawarra areas providing a garden waste collection service to householders, there is significant potential for landholders, community groups and other land managers to use compost for repairing degraded land.


Hunting down ways to recycle and keep the environment healthy

Hunter-New England Area Health Service (HNEAHS)The Hunter-New England Area Health Service (HNEAHS) is working to improve waste management and increase resource recovery, to make their operations more sustainable.

In 2001, following a review of all waste operations at Taree’s Manning Health Campus, the collection and disposal of waste to the local landfill became a key element in the redevelopment of the campus. At that time little recycling was undertaken as the system was labour intensive, with multiple double handling issues as a result of an uncoordinated approach to waste management.

The HNEAHS developed a program to assist staff in the segregation of recyclable materials from general waste, thereby reducing the volume going to landfill. Containers for the efficient recycling and removal of waste materials were installed at specific points around the campus, and housekeeping staff were trained in waste audits. All staff were kept informed through a newsletter.

As a result the recycling of paper and cardboard increased from 15 tonnes in 2001-02 to 32 tonnes in 2004-05, while disposal to landfill dropped from 144.5 tonnes (74% of total waste) to 100 tonnes (58%). In the first quarter of 2006, paper and cardboard recycling increased by a further 50%. The changes have produced a cost saving of $22,715 per annum in avoided disposal costs.

The program was runner up in the Area Health Service Quality Awards in 2003 and receives the ongoing support of staff, the Waste Management Committee and the HNEAHS Executive.

In a second initiative, the Wallsend Health Campus undertook a range of strategies to improve the recovery of recyclable paper.

The Campus Manager set up a Waste Management Working Party, which organised a detailed waste audit that clearly measured the extent of the problem. The Working Party then implemented the following strategies:

• provision of cardboard recycling bins for each employee;

• removal of all small personal waste bins (excluding clinical areas);

• ensuring good distribution of larger waste bins along with recycling banks in key staff/eating areas;

• development of a ‘Recycling’ brochure;

• staff surveys establishing what waste minimisation/avoidance and recycling measures were actually being used; and

• introduction of regular recycling and environmental seminars which complemented the work carried out by the ‘Energy Management Working Party.’

As a result of these strategies, recovery of paper for recycling at Wallsend Campus increased from 13.1 tonnes in 1999 to 28.8 tonnes in 2005, representing a significant increase in the recycling of paper, which has reduced the amount of waste to landfill and delivered savings in disposal costs.

Environmental criteria in new printers and copiers prove to be real treasures

NSW TreasuryIn October of 2004 NSW Treasury decided to convert its printers and photocopiers to double-sided capabilities across the agency as part of the regular replacement of superseded equipment.

Issues of cost reduction and legislative compliance were the key drivers of the decision. The ongoing benefit is that paper use and costs will be reduced significantly.


The Office Equipment Committee was responsible for the purchase, with guidance from the Manager of the Corporate Management Unit and the WRAPP Officer. They approached suppliers with specifications that included double-sided printing as standard. An additional stipulation to suppliers was that all photocopiers and printers purchased had to be capable of using recycled content paper.

While exact quantities are not yet available, NSW Treasury’s annual paper consumption reduced from 3,747 reams in 2004 to 3,210 in 2005.

NSW Treasury expects the increase in cost for recycled content paper will be offset by the reduction in paper used as a result of increased double-sided (duplex) printing. Therefore the move to recycled content paper and double-sided printers will be cost neutral to the organisation in the short term and is expected to offer modest savings in the longer term as double-sided printing becomes mainstream.

Recycling of mobile phones – hang up on waste and get back on the rails!

Rail Corporation NSW (RailCorp)Mobiles phones are listed as a waste of concern in the NSW 2006 Extended Producer Priority Statement1 because they contain heavy metals such as cadmium, nickel and copper, which are considered too toxic for disposal in landfill because they can leach and contaminate soil and groundwater.

The nature of the Rail Corporation NSW (RailCorp) business means that it needs a large number of mobile phones to maintain communications over a large geographical area.

As part of RailCorp’s commitment to preventing pollution, its Corporate Environmental Division, in coordination with personnel in the Lost Property area at Central Station, realised there was an opportunity to recycle end-of-life mobile phones.

RailCorp signed up to the Mobile Phone Industry Recycling Program, an initiative of the Australian Mobile Telecommunications Association. Setting up the system was easy: a phone-recycling bin was placed in the Lost Property area, which is an easily accessible location for most RailCorp personnel. Details of the recycling program were publicised through the corporate newsletter and intranet.

The program has been very well received by staff, with more than 400kg of mobile phones and accessories being recycled per annum. This equates to in excess of 2,200 phones2 being diverted from landfill to recycling, with more than 90 per cent of the plastics, silver, gold and nickel3

recovered from each phone. This program not only prevents potentially toxic materials from polluting the environment, it also recovers valuable resources to recycle into new products.

Having worms helps the environment

Sydney Catchment Authority (SCA)Organic material, such as food and garden wastes can make up around 30% of the total waste stream.4 Recycling this material provides economic and environmental benefits and diversion of organic materials from landfill is desirable given that this fraction is the biggest contributor to leachate, which can leak out of landfills and impact on the quality of surface and groundwater.5

Furthermore, food and garden wastes are also the major contributor to methane formed in landfills, a potent greenhouse gas.6

Since 2002 the Sydney Catchment Authority (SCA) has successfully managed the organic material that comes out of its Penrith head office kitchens by operating a small worm farm. In 2005, the SCA’s annual waste audit found that the original worm farm at the Penrith head office had diverted 282kg of food waste from landfill.

1 NSW Extended Producer responsibility Statement 2005-2006 p 92 Estimated Australian Mobile Telecommunication Association website http://www.amta.org.au/default.asp?Page=6713 http://www.amta.org.au/default.asp?Page=6714 NSW Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy p24 http://www.resource.nsw.gov.au/strategy.htm5 Borden, R.C. and T.M. Yanoschak (1990). Ground and surface water quality impacts of North Carolina sanitary landfills.

Water Resources Bulletin, 26: 269-2776 (3) US EPA (1997). Greenhouse Gas Emissions from Municipal Waste Management. Report prepared for the Office of Policy,

Planning and Evaluation, U.S. Environmental Protection Agency.


The SCA’s Environmental Evaluation Team has since assisted staff in the Penrith Dam Safety office, and at the Burrawang site office, to set up worm farms The Authority hopes to include figures from these other worm farms in its 2006 audit, which should show a significant increase in the amount of organic waste diverted from landfill.

SCA staff volunteer to be part of a worm warrior roster, transferring food waste from designated bins in the kitchen areas and doing basic worm farm maintenance. All staff on the roster attended a worm farm induction on the day the new farms were set up. Some staff have found it so easy to do they have gone on to set up worm farms at home.

The worm farms form an important part of an overall strategy at SCA to reduce solid waste and minimise the environmental impacts of the whole organisation. The worm farms have the additional benefits of providing castings and liquid fertiliser to be taken home by the “worm warriors” to make their own gardens flourish.

SCA is currently working on a relocation program to house its entire Penrith staff in one building. As part of this process, the SCA is currently investigating the potential for installing a larger, commercial size vermiculture system to process the organic waste from the whole building, replacing the small units currently in use.

Recycling old timber poles – a powerful way to help the environment

Integral EnergyIntegral Energy actively seeks to identify opportunities to reduce, reuse and recycle. Timber poles surplus to Integral Energy’s requirements stood out as having an immediate environmental impact. As the poles weigh around 1.75 tonnes each, they can also be costly to dispose of.

A management team from Supply and Logistics, Waste Management and Corporate and Government Affairs developed a strategy for reusing the timber poles which are now recycled as architectural hardwood, used to make flooring,

rafters, beams and tables. The quality of some of the timber is so good that it has been used to produce 10m trusses for a home extension.

To introduce the new initiative, market trials, contractor interviews and onsite audits were conducted to ensure compliance with all regulatory requirements. Australian Architectural Hardwoods (AAH) at Kempsey was selected as the commercial partner for the recycling program, with responsibility for developing and implementing commodity tracking, collection and invoicing processes.

As the program has progressed, diligent project management and administration have ensured the recycling processes are functional, improvement opportunities are implemented, and the recycling process realises a value to both Integral Energy and AAH. A training program was implemented to improve communication and offer specialist help to staff involved in the recycling program.

In the last financial year, the timber pole recycling program recycled 1,092 poles, diverting around 2,000 tonnes of waste timber from landfill and avoiding approximately $165,000 in disposal fees. The program also generated $24,000 in income from the sale of the timber, resulting in a net financial benefit of $189,000.

In a separate program, Integral Energy collected more than 2,000 old safety hats (hard-hats) and sold them for recycling, rather than disposing of the unwanted plastic in landfill.

Glass concrete and scrap rubber asphalt

Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) and the Department of Environment and Conservation NSW (DEC)The Roads and Traffic Authority (RTA) and the Department of Environment and Conservation NSW (DEC) are undertaking joint projects to assess recycled crushed glass as partial cement and sand replacements, and the use of scrap rubber within bituminous roadwork materials.


In 2005 the RTA and the DEC initiated a project to assess the technical and economic performance of recycled crushed glass fines as partial cement and sand replacements within concretes used for road pavement construction and related civil works.

The main drivers for trialling glass within concrete were to:

• establish a significant high-value, high volume market for glass fine wastes that are currently landfilled (estimated up to 100,000 tonnes per year in the greater Sydney region);

• demonstrate that there are no identified technical or economic barriers to commercial use of crushed glass in concrete;

• play a significant role in reducing construction project greenhouse emissions, with every tonne of cement currently having approximately one tonne of embodied greenhouse gas emissions;

• make an important first step towards wider government and industry adoption of this new technology;

• provide industry with the required level of confidence to invest in new technology and infrastructure development; and

• contribute to enhancing the economic viability and sustainability of domestic kerbside collection and material recycling.

Laboratory trials have demonstrated that crushed glass can be used as a partial sand replacement in road pavement concrete without a significant reduction in the concrete’s technical performance. Laboratory trials of glass as a partial cement replacement at rates up to 70kg/m3 started in April 2006, and field trials of glass concrete were began in May 2006. The joint project partners intend to publicise the results to government and industry once they are available. The RTA also intends to revise its specifications and purchasing policy if the laboratory and field trials demonstrate that such changes are technically and economically feasible.

In a second initiative, since 2003 the RTA and DEC have been working to develop a Code of Practice for the manufacture and handling of asphalt containing finely ground scrap rubber, as well as a specification for its commercial application.

With more than 6 million tyres disposed to NSW landfills every year, the recovery and recycling of scrap rubber tyres is of national importance and a key priority for the DEC. The current use of scrap rubber within specialised sprayed bitumen seals in roadworks diverts a relatively small amount of the scrap rubber waste stream from landfills, however the RTA and DEC believe that there is considerable scope for increasing the use of scrap rubber within bituminous roadwork materials.

RTA field trials and studies have demonstrated that scrap rubber asphalt not only extends road life and enables thinner pavements, but can also significantly reduce road traffic tyre noise. It is particularly suitable for use in overlaying fatigued/cracked pavements, and can also be used as a durable crack resistant asphalt surface on new construction works.

Issues of the technology’s production, handling, mixing, laying and fuming have been studied to ensure that all quality, OH&S and environmental issues can be acceptably managed through appropriate work practices.

The RTA is currently refining the specification and Code of Practice and intends to offer them to the asphalting industry to promote wider use of this important technology.

Public place recycling is good – for sure!

Sydney Harbour Foreshore AuthorityAs custodian of Sydney’s The Rocks and Darling Harbour precincts, Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority’s role includes the development and maintenance of these areas for a sustainable future, including strategies to manage the environmental impacts of the precincts.

To achieve this, the Authority has implemented the ‘Refresh, Recycle Renew’ public place recycling campaign in partnership with Visy Recycling and Coca-Cola Amatil.


The main drivers of the campaign are to reduce resource use within the precincts through improving public recycling practices, thereby diverting valuable resources from landfill including glass bottles and jars, aluminium and steel cans and plastic beverage containers.

Prior to the start of the campaign, in February 2005, the precincts’ waste systems only provided one general waste bin with no capacity for recycling.

The main challenges to implementing the campaign included the cost of permanent bin enclosures, determining and adjusting bin positioning, bin enclosure design and aesthetics, and the mobility of bin enclosures during large public events.

The project team liaised with the Beverage Industry Environment Council to determine the best positioning for the waste and recycling bins. Waste audits were also commissioned to evaluate the existing waste management practices and the performance of the new public place recycling system.

The evaluation waste audit showed that First Fleet Park in the Rocks is now achieving a 76% diversion rate (by weight) of co-mingled recyclables being disposed of in the park.

The evaluation also showed a significant proportion (27% by weight) of the co-mingled recycling stream contained mixed paper and cardboard. This material is not currently collected in the recycling service, but opportunities exist for the Authority to explore the possibility of targeting paper and cardboard in a new recycling system.

Unfortunately, the audit found a significant amount (21% by weight) in the recycling bins was material that is not currently collected in the recycling stream, mainly disposable cups and take-away food packaging.

The Authority is disappointed by this level of contamination and is concerned that visitors might be misinterpreting the drinking containers sign on the recycling bins. However, the Authority will work with food and beverage vendors in the precincts to seek recyclable alternatives to the current cups and containers, and to improve recycling signage.

Through the ‘Refresh, Recycle Renew’ public place recycling campaign the Authority has greatly improved the recovery of valuable resources, reinforcing the concept of recycling away-from-home. The Authority has also identified significant opportunities to further reduce waste and improve recycling.

Education works for the bottom line and the environment

Sydney West Area Health ServiceSydney West Area Health Service (SWAHS) has recently introduced recycled content copy paper.

Prior to its introduction, SWAHS Waste Coordinator, Carmen Gauci, initiated a trial and evaluation program of recycled content paper within the organisation. A number of Administrative Assistants across various parts of the organisation were provided with two reams of paper – one ream was 50% recycled content paper and the other was virgin paper. The participants were asked to use the copy paper in normal tasks and to evaluate it on the basis of quality, appearance and performance.

The results indicated that participants felt virgin and recycled content paper had similarities in relation to quality, appearance and performance. There was a very marginal preference for virgin paper, but this was not considered significant enough to stop the SWAHS complying with the WRAPP and purchasing recycled content paper. A recommendation was therefore made to management that SWAHS substitute virgin paper with 50% recycled content paper.

The purchase of recycled content paper did not come without additional cost. Based on the high volume of paper used by the organisation it was estimated that the cost of using recycled content paper would be an additional $60,000 per annum. However budgetary constraints meant that the introduction of recycled content paper had to be cost neutral.


In order to offset any increase in paper costs, a number of opportunities to achieve savings through improved waste management practices were identified. Implementing these practices involved the training of 3,000 staff were trained in initiatives such as:

• proper waste segregation practices to increase recycling and reduce landfill costs;

• purchasing from companies who would take back packaging to reduce waste management costs;

• promoting the benefits of double sided photocopying/printing to reduce paper consumption; and

• thinking before they printed, to avoidance waste generation.

Large posters were placed above photocopiers reminding staff to double side whenever possible and all new printers had to be able to print on both sides. As a result SWAHS reduced the total copy paper use by 20,000 reams per annum. At the end of the first year of the program, instead of costing an additional $60,000 per year, a saving of $106,000 was realised.

“The SWAHS initiative shows that education works,” Carmen said.

“Staff are now proactive: solving their individual waste issues; purchasing recycled content materials where possible; and identifying waste products for reuse and recycling.

“Any health organisation can implement a similar waste education program that benefits the environment, and still has a positive effect on the bottom line.”


Current Focus and ObjectivesUnder the WRAPP, each agency is working towards becoming a model waste manager by:

• avoiding the generation of waste;

• separating wastes generated for re-use or recycling; and

• purchasing products with recycled content and low waste products, wherever these are cost and performance competitive.

WRAPP focuses on four key areas:

• paper products;

• office equipment and consumables (eg toner cartridges);

• vegetation material (tree clippings, leaves etc.); and

• construction and demolition materials.

In implementing WRAPP, agencies are guided by the following principles:

• promote, and not discriminate against, the purchase of recycled content products and materials;

• promote minimisation, reuse and recycling of wastes;

• measure and report on the purchase of items targeted in the biennial guidelines;

• measure and report on the waste and recycling of items targeted in the biennial guidelines; and

• tailor WRAPP implementation to the nature and activities of each organisation, recognising that individual agencies can contribute in different ways.

Chapter 5. WRAPP Implementation

Continuous ImprovementThe WRAPP and the individual WRAPP Plans of government agencies are not static and agencies are encouraged to continuously improve their WRAPP Plans.

Raising awareness of the WRAPP across the public sector and ensuring that its principles are integrated into agency purchasing and waste management decisions is an ongoing challenge. Part of the DEC’s response to this challenge is to develop guidelines, training courses, education resources and conduct information seminars to build the knowledge and skills of agency staff.

In 2005, the DEC conducted a series of information seminars to give participants an opportunity to understand the principles and objectives of the WRAPP and its reporting requirements. A total of 86 staff from 55 agencies attended these seminars.

In addition a WRAPP Waste Assessment course was developed for agencies to assess and report their office waste and recycling data. In total 45 staff from 35 agencies attended three courses and the course material was later published on a CD for other agencies to use.

Feedback from the participants showed that the courses were very highly rated and should lead to improved resource management and recycling systems within NSW public sector offices. Course evaluation showed that all participants:

• thought the areas covered in the course were relevant;

• agreed that their pre-course objectives were met;

• thought the course materials were well prepared;

• rated the presenter’s performance as excellent or good; and

• would recommend this course to others.


The learning materials for both the seminars and courses were also made available on the WRAPP website along with other information and guides to assist agencies to implement the WRAPP.

ReportingThe Department of Environment and Conservation NSW is responsible for overseeing the implementation and management of the WRAPP. The Department assists agencies to comply with the reporting requirements through workshops, bulletins and ‘how to’ guides.

Under the WRAPP, each agency must report to the DEC every two years on progress in implementing their WRAPP Plan.

Agencies must also collect and periodically report data on:

• total quantities of specified wastes being generated and recycled; and

• total quantities of specified materials being purchased, and the proportion with recycled content.

In early 2005 agencies were provided with new improved guidelines to assist in preparing their progress reports for the 2003 – 2005 reporting period. Under the revised reporting guidelines reporting categories were streamlined and many material definitions clarified.

The guidelines were supported by a series of workshops for purchasing, procurement and policy officers with agencies. In addition, the Sustainability Programs Division of the DEC provided assistance to individual agencies where required.

122 agencies provided progress reports in 2005, representing 95% of agencies covered by the WRAPP. A complete list of agencies covered by the WRAPP is attached at Appendix 5.

The Data in this ReportThis Report provides information on WRAPP implementation during the 2003-2005 reporting period. While some effort has been made to verify the information, the data remains self-reported and not audited.

Agencies generally collected data for reporting through extrapolation of data from waste audits and information supplied by contractors.

Comparison with previous reporting periods is difficult due to ongoing refinements and adjustments for each reporting period. These include:

• changes to reporting categories over time;

• improvements to data collection systems;

• anomalies and corrections to data reported by agencies;

• difficulty in interpreting and applying the reporting categories; and

• amalgamation and restructuring of agencies.

As a result, the figures provided in this Report provide indicative trends rather than precise data.

Future DirectionOver the next 12 months, the WRAPP will be reviewed to better align its outcomes with other government initiatives including the NSW Greenhouse Plan, the Extended Producer Responsibility Statement and the revised Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy. In addition, the Policy’s purchasing provisions will be strengthened to take advantage of new opportunities in government procurement including electronic purchasing (Smartbuy) and whole-of-government contracting.

To further improve the ability of agencies to meet the aims and requirements of the WRAPP, during the 2005-2007 reporting period the DEC will work with key agencies to:

• facilitate networking by groups of agencies with similar waste and recycling issues;

• co-ordinate training for agency staff in waste management and sustainable purchasing;

• encourage the implementation of best practice recycling systems;

• disseminate information, product guides and specifications on targeted recycled content products; and

• develop online reporting.


Definitions of terms used in this ReportConstruction and demolition materials

A broad range of materials used to build new structures; repair or refurbish existing buildings; or waste products from demolition activities.

Copy paper

White A4 and A3 paper including letterhead but not coloured or tinted paper.

Landfill

Waste disposal site for the controlled deposit of solid waste onto or into land.

Other waste

Waste materials generated or recycled that are not defined in the guidelines.

Post consumer content

Material generated by households or by commercial, industrial and institutional facilities in their role as end users of the product, which can no longer be used for its intended purpose. This material can then be recycled to form part of a new product.

Pre consumer content

Material diverted from the waste stream during a manufacturing process. This excludes re-utilisation of materials such as rework, regrind or scrap generated in a process and capable of being reclaimed within the same process that generated it. This can then be recycled to form part of a new product.

Recycling

The act of processing used or abandoned materials for use in creating new products.

Recycled content

The amount or proportion of a product that is made of recycled material. Recycled content is generally measured by weight or volume.

Appendix 1. Glossary

Recycled content paper

Paper that contains a portion of recycled material, either pre or post-consumer.

Recycling rate

The percentage of materials otherwise destined for landfill disposal that are collected, reprocessed or remanufactured, and reused.

Re-manufactured toner cartridge

A used toner cartridge that has been restored to a like new condition, there by extending the life of the product.

Resource recovery

The process that extracts materials or energy from the waste stream.

Re-use

Using a product again for the same or a different purpose without further manufacture, e.g. use of second-hand boxes for repacking goods or for storage of household goods.

State Owned Corporation

An organisation listed in Schedule 5 of the StateOwned Corporations Act 1989.

Virgin material

A material made from new or previously unused materials that contain no recycled content.

Waste assessment

A visual, rather than formal, analysis of the types and quantities of waste. It will identify the main types of waste present, waste streams and systems in place and will give an idea of quantities generated and opportunities for improvement.

Waste audits

A formal, structured process used to quantify the amount and types of waste being generated by an organisation. Information gleaned from waste audits helps to identify current waste management practices and how they can be improved.


Waste avoidance

Eliminating the generation of waste at its source. Avoidance encourages the community to reduce the amount of waste it generates and to be more efficient in its use of raw materials.

WA&RR Strategy

An acronym for the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy which is set out under the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2001 (WARR Act).

Waste management

Related to storage, collection, transportation, treatment, utilisation, processing, and final disposal of waste or resource recovery, and facilities necessary for such activities.

Waste reduction

Limiting of waste through product design, material selection, policy and management. To lessen the amount of waste that already has been generated.

Definitions of waste and purchasing materials for WRAPP reportingThe following definitions are used to assist agencies to complete their reporting of waste and recycling, and purchasing.

Please note that descriptions of vegetation, construction and demolition materials are broad to encompass the range of activities undertaken by government agencies.

Waste and Recycling:

Material Description

A4 and A3 sized white paper

Used plain white printer and photocopier paper in A4 and A3 sizes.

Other office paper Used stationery such as folders, files, coloured or tinted paper publications, forms, newspapers, magazines, advertising material, envelopes, phone books, wrapping paper, letterhead, post-it notes.

Cardboard Packaging eg boxes, cartons and containers.

Used toner cartridges

Cartridges for printers, faxes, photocopiers, and multifunction machines (combined fax/copier/printer).

Computer and computer monitors

Central processing units (CPUs) and monitors should be recorded separately.

Vegetation waste Vegetation such as leaves, grass clippings, branches and logs. Includes materials that have been processed eg sawn, chipped, mulched or composted. Does not include putrescible waste such as food scraps.

Concrete Mixture of cement, sand and aggregates. May include additives or substitutes such as fly ash.

Fill Excavated material such as clay, gravel, sand, soil and rock that has been mixed with another waste or excavated from areas that are contaminated with manufactured chemicals, as the result of industrial, commercial, mining or agricultural activities.

Asphalt Any materials containing bituminous hydrocarbons. May contain additives such as concrete. Includes recycled asphalt pavement.

Timber Wood materials used for formwork or other construction purposes.

Virgin excavated natural material

Virgin excavated natural material such as clay, gravel, sand, soil and rock that is not mixed with any other waste and has been excavated from areas that are not

contaminated with manufactured chemicals, as the result of industrial, commercial, mining or agricultural activities.



Bricks and roof tiles

Clay bricks and roof tiles which may be mixed together. This can include small amounts of concrete or plaster render.

Glass Sheet glass used for doors, windows, partitioning etc.

Plasterboard Composite material of gypsum and cardboard used for interior panels for buildings.

Steel Metal building products and materials e.g. reinforcing steel, sheet roofing, structural columns and beams etc.

Non-ferrous metal Metal building materials other than steel e.g. aluminium, brass, copper etc.

Mixed waste Mixed demolition waste of which no one material comprises 50% or more of the load.

Other categories Agencies can report on other categories of waste they are generating or recycling, please specify.

Total quantity generated

The combination of the amount of waste disposed to landfill and the amount recycled. For example 800 tonnes recycled and 200 tonnes to landfill equals 1,000 tonnes generated.

PurchasingMaterial Description

A4 and A3 paper White A4 and A3 paper used within offices including letterhead but not coloured or tinted paper.

Printing and publications

Paper used in printing publications including reports, forms, educational or advertising material, brochures, pamphlets, posters etc. This includes printing within the agency or by an external printing company.

Toner cartridges For printers, faxes, photocopiers and multifunction machines (combined fax/copier/printer).

Post-it Notes Self-adhesive relocatable notelets of various sizes.

Envelopes Plain or window faced envelopes of various sizes including those printed with agency letterhead.

A4 Pad and/or Notebooks

A4 size bound or spiral note pads and exercise books.

Diaries Paper diaries of various sizes.

Landscapingmaterials

Organic products such as mulch, compost, bark, wood chips and soil blends.

Concrete Mixture of cement, sand and aggregates. May include additives or substitutes such as fly ash.

Fill Excavated material such as clay, gravel, sand, soil and rock that has been mixed with another waste or excavated from areas that are contaminated with manufactured chemicals, as the result of industrial, commercial, mining or agricultural activities.

Asphalt Any materials containing bituminous hydrocarbons. May contain additives such as concrete. Includes recycled asphalt pavement.

Aggregates Rock or other hard materials such as concrete, crushed stone or bricks, between 4.25mm and 100mm particle size. See Australian Standards for detailed specifications.



Virgin excavated natural material

Virgin excavated natural material such as clay, gravel, sand, soil and rock that is not mixed with any other waste and has been excavated from areas that are not contaminated with manufactured chemicals, as the result of industrial, commercial, mining or agricultural activities.

Timber Reclaimed, reused or recycled timber.

Sand Very fine hard aggregate between 0.75mm and 4.25 mm in size. See Australian Standard for detailed specification.


Reclaimed, reused or recycled bricks and roof tiles.

Other categories Agencies can report on other major categories of materials they are purchasing, please specify.

Total quantity purchased

The entire amount purchased, including the amount with recycled content.


Appendix 2. Waste and Recycling Data

Reporting CategoriesA4/A3 white copy paper

All other office paper

Paper (total)

Packaging (cardboard)

Used toner cartridges

Computers and monitors

Vegetation waste

Concrete

Fill

Asphalt

Timber

VENM


Glass

Plasterboard

Steel

Non-ferrous metal

Total Construction and Demolition

Mixed Construction and Demolition waste

2001

Amount

disposed as

waste

Amount

recovered for

recycling

Total

Tonnes/

Units

% Tonnes/

Units

% Tonnes/

Units

2,238 32 4,824 68 7,062

2,964 53 2,677 47 5,642

5,202 41 7,502 59 12,704

4,138 39 6,425 61 10,563

25,888 21 99,644 79 125,532

N/A N/A N/A

9,130 12 68,564 88 77,694

10,860 5 203,554 95 214,414

1,934,194 25 5,877,890 75 7,812,084

104,151 52 94,471 48 198,622

6,405 43 8,467 57 14,872

90,299 1,741,164 95 1,831,463

14,172 57 10,604 43 24,776

6 2 371 98 377

N/A N/A N/A

11 <1 35,982 >99 35,993

N/A N/A N/A

2,160,098 21 7,972,502 79 10,132,600

853,382 98 13,812 2 867,195

Note: Rounding of data may cause minor inconsistencies in some figures. N/A means data not available.


2003

Amount

disposed as

waste

Amount

recovered for

recycling

Total

Tonnes/

Units

% Tonnes/

Units

% Tonnes/

Units

2,008 23 6,538 77 8,546

798 40 1,207 60 2,004

2,806 27 7,745 73 10,551

5,638 60 3,791 40 9,428

92,086 58 65,323 42 157,409

20,827 49 21,938 51 42,765

15,268 19 66,042 81 81,310

21,828 26 62,263 74 84,091

624,981 32 1,319,473 68 1,944,455

20,670 17 103,772 83 124,442

7,417 42 10,206 58 17,622

42,167 18 190,075 82 232,242

13,226 44 16,806 56 30,032

340 53 300 47 640

895 93 62 7 957

1,946 1 129,059 99 131,005

70 <1 315,970 >99 316,040

733,539 25 2,147,988 75 2,881,527

65,908 98 1,582 2 67,490

2005

Amount

disposed as

waste

Amount

recovered for

recycling

Total

Tonnes/

Units

% Tonnes/

Units

% Tonnes/

Units

2,232 18 10,062 82 12,294

656 19 2,787 81 3,442

2,887 18 12,849 82 15,736

955 18 4,462 82 5,417

54,547 48 59,401 52 113,948

19,298 30 44,727 70 64,025

14,038 13 98,087 87 112,125

29,754 24 96,499 76 126,253

28,068 6 427,017 94 455,084

13,128 6 197,222 94 210,350

7,618 48 8,228 52 15,846

646,206 11 5,224,895 89 5,871,101

12,340 66 6,379 34 18,719

261 62 160 38 422

700 89 84 11 785

554 5 9,958 95 10,512

28 1 2,554 99 2,581

738,657 11 5,972,996 89 6,711,653

25,986 60 17,583 40 43,569


Appendix 3. Purchasing Data

Reporting CategoriesA4/A3 white copy paper

Printing and publication paper

Toner cartridges

Post-it Notes

Envelopes

A4 Pads and notebooks

Diaries

Landscaping materials

Concrete

Fill and VENM

Asphalt

Aggregates

Timber

Sand


2001

Total Amount Purchased % with

Recycled

Content

2,346,097 reams 19

1,602,293 reams 39

136,676 cartridges 49

57,476 packets 12

116,125 boxes 17

282,961 pads/books 15

22,781 diaries 3

16,632 tonnes 84

716,381 tonnes <1

344,018 tonnes 1

524,431 tonnes 10

294,047 tonnes <1

46,429 tonnes 48

101,174 tonnes <1

26,006 tonnes 0


2003


Recycled

Content

2,367,799 reams 36

1,434,959 reams 23


134,723 packets 14

133,998 boxes 49

748,023 pads/ books 18

124,528 diaries 3

50,390 tonnes 15

535,115 tonnes 70

356,202 tonnes 7

379,048 tonnes 69

966,363 tonnes 7

35,014 tonnes <1

121,389 tonnes 24

37,536 tonnes <1

2005


Recycled

Content

2,043,827 reams 44

1,649,205 reams 21


216,252 packets 11

325,482 boxes 58

3,730,556 pads/ books 80

152,424 diaries 6

432,940 tonnes 82

1,129,042 tonnes 65

6,245,795 tonnes 86

753,671 tonnes 38

324,743 tonnes 6

60,424 tonnes <1

311,303 tonnes 8

23,568 tonnes 10


1997 – The NSW Waste Reduction and Purchasing Policy was introduced by Premier’s Memorandum 1997-20 and guidelines were issued by the EPA (now Department of Environment and Conservation NSW).

1998 – 124 agencies submitted WRAPP plans to the EPA. Although only limited data was available, plans contained information on quantities of target materials being purchased, recycled and disposed of by each agency. Estimates based on these Plans indicated:

• agencies recycled 13,687 tonnes of paper, 24,470 toner cartridges, 45,816 tonnes of vegetation waste and 560,105 tonnes of construction and demolition materials;

• agencies purchased 3,431 tonnes of vegetation products and 10,392 tonnes of construction products with recycled content;

• recycled content paper made up 6% of total purchases of copy paper; and

• 35% of the 40,000 toner cartridges purchased contained recycled content.

1999 – Premier’s Memorandum 1999-19 expanded the WRAPP to apply to State Owned Corporations.

2000 – A specialist unit was formed in the EPA to help agencies implement their WRAPP Plans. A dedicated WRAPP website was established.

2001 – 125 agencies submitted WRAPP progress reports and/or WRAPP Plans. This represented 93% of agencies covered by the Policy. The Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2001 amended Annual Reporting Regulations, requiring agencies to report on progress in implementing the WRAPP in their annual reports.

Appendix 4. WRAPP Timeline

2002 – The NSW Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy set a framework and goals for waste reduction, including actions for state government agencies to implement under the WRAPP.

2003 – Premier’s Memorandum 2003-05 transferred responsibility for the administration of the WRAPP from the EPA to Resource NSW (now the Department of Environment and Conservation NSW). Additional categories were added to the WRAPP reporting guidelines, and the biennial reporting date was moved from May to August to help agencies align with other reporting requirements. 132 agencies submitted progress reports. This represented 100% of agencies covered by the Policy.

2005 – The first whole-of-government WRAPP Progress Report was published, including aggregated data from the 2001 – 2003 reporting periods. New improved reporting guidelines were issued and 122 agencies submitted progress reports. This represented 95% of agencies covered by the Policy.


Reports not received from:

Aboriginal Housing Office, NSW

Independent Pricing and Regulatory Tribunal of NSW

Institute of Sport, NSW

Police, NSW

Public Trustee NSW

State Electoral Office

Transport Infrastructure Development Corporation

Appendix 5: Agencies Covered by the WRAPP

Reports received from:

Aboriginal Affairs, Department of Ageing, Disability and Home Care Department

Ambulance Service of NSW Art Gallery of NSW

Arts, Ministry for the Attorney General’s Department

Audit Office Australian Inland Energy and Water

Australian Museum Board of Studies, NSW

Border Rivers-Gwydir Catchment Management Authority

Building and Construction Industry Long Service Payments Corp

Businesslink Pty Ltd Cabinet Office, The

Casino Control Authority Centennial Park and Moore Park Trust

Central West Catchment Management Authority Children’s Hospital Westmead

Coal Compensation Board Commerce, Department of

Community Relations Commission For a multicultural NSW

Community Services, Department of

Corrective Services, Department of Country Energy

Crime Commission, NSW Delta Electricity

Director of Public Prosecutions, Office of the Education and Training, Department of

Energy Australia Energy, Utilities and Sustainability, Dept of

Environment and Conservation (NSW) Dept of Eraring Energy

Film and Television Office, NSW Fire Brigades, NSW

Food Authority, NSW Gaming and Racing, Department of

Greater Southern Area Health Service Greater Western Area Health Service

Greyhound and Harness Racing Regulatory Authority

Hawkesbury-Nepean Catchment Management Authority

Health Care Complaints Commission Health Department


Health Professional Registration Boards Heritage Office, NSW

Historic Houses Trust Housing, Department of

Hunter and New England Area Health Service

Hunter Water Corporation

Hunter-Central Rivers Catchment Management Authority

Independent Commission Against Corruption

Independent Transport Safety and Reliability Regulator

Infrastructure, Planning and Natural Resources, Dept. of

Institute of Teachers, NSW Integral Energy Australia Pty Ltd

Judicial Commission of NSW Juvenile Justice, Department of

Lachlan Catchment Management Authority Landcom

Lands, Dept of Legal Aid Commission of NSW

Local Government, Department of Lotteries, New South Wales

Lower Murray Darling Catchment Management Authority

Macquarie Generation

Maritime Authority, NSW Medical Board, NSW

Mine Subsidence Board Motor Accidents Authority

Murray Catchment Management Authority Murrumbidgee Catchment Management Authority

Museum of Applied Arts and Sciences (Powerhouse)

Namoi Catchment Management Authority

Newcastle Port Corporation North Coast Area Health Service

Northern Rivers Catchment Management Authority

Northern Sydney and Central Coast Area Health Service

Ombudsman’s Office, NSW Parliament of NSW

Parliamentary Counsel’s Office Parramatta Stadium Trust

Pillar Administration Corporation Police Integrity Commission

Police, Ministry for Port Kembla Port Corporation

Premier’s Department Primary Industries, Department of

Railcorp Roads and Traffic Authority

Rural Fire Service, NSW Science and Medical Research, Ministry for

South Eastern Sydney and Illawarra Area Health Service

Southern Rivers Catchment Management Authority

State and Regional Development, Department of State Authorities Superannuation Trustees Corporation

State Emergency Service State Library of NSW

State Records State Revenue. Office of

State Sports Centre Trust State Transit Authority

State Water Sydney Catchment Authority

Sydney Cricket and Sports Ground Trust Sydney Ferries Corporation

Sydney Harbour Foreshore Authority Sydney Metro Catchment Management Authority


Sydney Olympic Park Authority Sydney Opera House Trust

Sydney Ports Corporation Sydney South West Area Health Service

Sydney Water Corporation Sydney West Area Health Service

Teacher Housing Authority Tourism, Sport and Recreation, Department of

Transgrid Transport, Ministry of

Treasury, NSW Western Catchment Management Authority

Wollongong Sports Ground Trust WorkCover Authority of NSW

WSN Environmental Solutions Zoological Parks Board of NSW


Key principles The purpose of the NSW Government Waste Reduction and Purchasing Policy is to require all government agencies to establish and implement an action plan that promotes and does not discriminate against the purchase of recycled products and promotes minimisation, reuse and recycling of generated wastes.

It is important that the efforts of government agencies have a clear focus and consistent thrust if they are to be effective. It is not intended that the purchasing-related requirements of the policy apply to every purchase made, or product used, by government agencies. It is recognised that this would be both unwieldy and unnecessary. The policy will apply initially to those significant purchased items such as paper products, office equipment able to use recycled paper, recycled components of office equipment, recycled landscaping materials and construction products (Schedules A and B).

The items to be addressed in relation to purchasing have been chosen because they represent major items of expenditure by government agencies for which there are alternative products that are environmentally preferred and commercially available, as well as being price and performance-competitive. Similarly the items listed for re-use and recycling have been chosen because of the availability of suitable implementation strategies.

It is also important that Waste Reduction and Purchasing Plans be tailored to the nature and activities of the individual agency. Different agencies are able to contribute in different ways and in varying degrees for the range of scheduled products. For example, construction-based agencies such as the Roads and Traffic Authority might contribute substantially by purchasing recycled construction products and recycling construction waste. However, the plans of

Appendix 6. The NSW Waste Reduction and Purchasing Policy (1997)

administrative or policy-oriented agencies, such as the EPA, would focus more productively on the purchase and recycling of paper and related products.

Waste reductionThe waste reduction component of the Plan requires government agencies to ensure they minimise the creation of wastes and that the wastes they generate are separated for collection and recycling. In developing their Plans agencies are required to:

a. assess the nature and sources of waste in the agency against Schedule A; and

b. develop strategies for minimising waste and promoting the reuse and recycling of waste.

PurchasingIn developing their Plans, agencies are required to:

a. assess current purchases of recycled products, materials and equipment against Schedule B;

b. review the agency’s product purchasing practices, standards and specifications to remove impediments to the purchase of preferred products; and

c. identify preferred products to be purchased under the agency’s new purchasing plans.

The proposed purchasing system is based on cost neutrality. That is, a recycled product must be listed for preferred purchasing only where it is no more expensive than the alternative product.

In addition the system stresses the importance of product quality. In this regard a recycled product must be listed for preferred purchase where it performs to a level equal to the alternative products.


This ensures that agencies purchase the ‘environmentally preferred’ item when it is cost- and performance-competitive with the non-preferred equivalent. It also requires agencies to justify decisions made not to purchase recycled products, which must be based on evidence of inferior price, quality or performance.

EPA guide for agenciesThe EPA will produce and distribute a guide that will assist agencies in preparing their Waste Reduction and Purchasing Plans. The guide will explain how agencies can apply the principle that the purchaser will be required to obtain the more environmentally preferred of two competing products where cost and performance considerations are otherwise equal.

It is not proposed to require agencies to assess the relative performance of various products comprising different degrees of recycled content. Rather, the guide would indicate that it is necessary to purchase the recycled product with the highest recycled content that is cost- and performance-competitive with the product that has no recycled content. This would be done with due regard to any other relevant polices such as the existing ‘buy-ANZ’ policy (the mandatory Australian and New Zealand preferential purchasing policy), which requires purchasers to give preference to products made in Australia or otherwise employing Australians in their production.

Many of the scheduled products for purchases are available on State contracts and many agencies purchase from those contracts. To simplify purchasing in these instances it is proposed that if a product made from virgin materials is on Government contract and a recycled equivalent product is not, then purchasing officers may presume there is no price competitive recycled product that meets the performance specifications. The Commercial and Business Division of the Department of Public Works and Services will therefore be responsible for ensuring that recycled products meeting the price and performance specifications are recommended to the State Contracts Control Board for acceptance onto State contracts.

In the context of product performance, the objective of the guide will be to ensure that recycled products are given fair and equal treatment in purchasing decisions. It is not intended to override purchasing decisions based on legitimate inferior performance of recycled products. For example, in relation to the purchases of any office papers the ‘whiteness’ of the paper would generally not be an acceptable performance criterion for purchasing virgin paper over recycled paper. Similarly, rejection of recycled photocopy paper on the basis that ‘it might jam’ would be unacceptable.

It is not the EPA’s intention that the guide includes appropriate performance specifications for each scheduled product to be purchased, nor is it intended that purchasing agencies be required to undertake extensive performance testing of scheduled products. The depth of performance assessment included for each product category will be no more rigorous than is necessary to ensure that the recycled product is not being discriminated against. For example, where a guarantee of performance from the supplier accompanies a product without recycled content, rejecting the recycled alternative may be appropriate if the recycled product supplier refused to include a similar guarantee. Similarly, where it is proposed to purchase a product without recycled content on the basis of successful trials conducted by the purchasing agency or the supplier, then a purchaser must give the supplier of an equivalent recycled product the same opportunity to demonstrate its product’s performance.

The guide will also give information to specify what action should be taken by an agency to inform an unsuccessful recycled product supplier why its product was rejected. In this way suppliers can take the necessary steps to make their recycled products more competitive in the future.

Other information to be included in the guide will be advice on product-specific minimisation, re-use and recycling strategies such as double-sided photocopying, multiple-use internal envelopes, recycling of toner cartridges, segregated waste and recycling bins, and review of building service contracts to include collection of the segregated, recoverable materials for recycling. Advice on the nature, level and form of information necessary for reporting on purchasing and waste reduction activities and performance will also be provided.


Reporting requirements for WRAPP PlansAgencies will be required to forward a copy of their Waste Reduction and Purchasing Plans to the EPA* for approval. In addition, each agency must report biennially on its performance in carrying out the Plan. This will ensure that government-wide performance under the policy is open to public scrutiny.

The EPA will in turn:

a. report on achievements, progress and improved performance of the Government’s waste reduction and purchasing achievements in its State of the Environment reports

b. review the progress and performance of the Government’s Waste Reduction and Purchasing Policy and provide a report to the Government by December 1997.This report will address the achievements and performance under the Waste Reduction and Purchasing Policy and propose any amendments required, such as addition or deletion of products and materials on the Schedules.

* In July 2003 responsibility for the administration of the WRAPP was transferred from the EPA to Resource NSW. In September 2003 Resource NSW became the Sustainability Programs Division of the new Department of Environment and Conservation NSW.

Documents

Progress Report 2006 - environment.nsw.gov.au...† There was a significant increase (38%) in the amount of vegetation waste generated and an increase of 6% in the proportion recycled,