Waste and Recycling

The LGA takes an active interest in waste and recycling and has made this a particular focus in recent years. By supporting Councils and working cooperatively with the State Government, including both Zero Waste SA and the EPA, the LGA is making a significant contribution to positive reforms currently taking place in this state.

The following information illustrates just some of the work currently being done by the LGA in this important area.

Local Government and E-waste

The handling of e-waste by Local Government is becoming an increasingly expensive and difficult task for Councils. The information provided below is intended to assist Councils in better understanding the issue of e-waste, and to also provide insight in to some potential options for dealing with e-waste.

Local Government and the National Recycling Scheme for Televisions and Computers

The National Television and Computer Recycling Scheme (the Scheme) will provide Australian householders and small business with access to free collection and recycling services for televisions and computers.

As this is a 'co-regulatory' Scheme, the Commonwealth Government will regulate the outcomes to be achieved while television and computer manufacturers and importers will fund arrangements that will determine the best method for implementing services to meet those outcomes (known as co-regulatory arrangements).

Local Government participation in the Scheme is voluntary and the Scheme may provide opportunities for Councils to work with an industry co-regulatory arrangement or multiple co-regulatory arrangements to provide recycling or collection services. Councils who wish to participate in the Scheme should undertake discussions and negotiations directly with the co-regulatory arrangements.

For further information and links to other resources, click here.

Zero Waste SA report on Local Government involvement in the National Recycling Scheme for Televisions and Computers

Zero Waste SA has commissioned a report to assist Councils that are looking to better understand the National Recycling Scheme for Televisions and Computers, as well as those considering participating in the Scheme.

A component of the consultant's work has been to develop specific advice for Councils regarding the Scheme, potential implications and considerations. A copy of the report is available here.

Given the current high level of activity by the television and computer industry involved in implementing the National Scheme, Zero Waste SA is looking to provide timely and relevant information to Councils whenever possible.

E-Waste Pathways Forum 2012

The LGA in conjunction with Zero Waste SA is hosting an 'E-Waste Pathways Forum' on 22 June 2012 to be held at the Adelaide Pavilion (South Terrace, Adelaide). This forum follows a number of successful Waste Forums held in 2007, 2009 and 2010, however this year will focus on the issue of electronic waste. For further information and to register, click here.

Model Contracts and Tendering Toolkit for SA Councils

Local Government waste management is becoming increasingly complex necessitating the management of a diversity of systems. In responding to this complexity, there is a need for more comprehensive contractual arrangements with service providers. Contractual arrangements not only relate to the actual collection system, but also reporting requirements to meet statutory and funding obligations from State Government.

At the present time, contracts are generally developed independently by each Council unless they are a part of a regional subsidiary. The LGA is routinely asked for advice on contracting or to provide contracts from other organisations on which the requesting organisation can base theirs. Up until now there was no existing South Australian example of a model contract, the LGA had been referring Councils to model contracts developed by the NSW Department of Environment and Conservation.

In late 2008 the LGA, with the support of the LGA Research & Development Scheme undertook the development of a waste and resource recovery toolkit including discussion papers, model contracts and tendering information. The project was completed in April 2009 and the following material is provided for use by Councils in South Australia.

These documents underwent a review in late 2011 and the updated papers are now available below. These updates also include considerations for when dealing with contractual arrangements relating to the carbon pricing mechanism.

Councils are encouraged to read the following discussion papers prior to addressing the contract and tendering material. Use and naviagtion of the contract and tendering material is also explained in the 'Model Contract User Guide' and should be read following the discussion papers.

NB. These documents only deal with collection and do not cover the operation of landfills.

Discussion Papers

**Discussion papers supporting the model contracts and tendering toolkit will be posted below as they are completed. Those below are currently being reviewed, and further proposed discussion papers include;

Defining the needs and scope, including;
1. mapping the journey
2. governance and due diligence
3. reviewing existing contracts
4. impediments to scope
5. probity planning
Financial issues for collection, control and disposal
Contract Management
Community engagement and consultation

Model contracts and tendering Financial Issues discussion paper

Implementing Waste Management Systems - Guide to Community Consultation and Engagement - October 2009

Contract Management - Discussion Paper - November 2009

Model Contracts and Tendering Materials

**COUNCILS SHOULD READ THE 'MODEL CONTRACT USER GUIDE' BELOW PRIOR TO UTILISING THIS MATERIAL**

Model Contract User Guide (2011)

Model Contract User Guide Appendix (2011)

Model Contract Updates and Ammendments (2011)

Section A - Information for Tenderers (2011)

Section B - Conditions of Tendering (2011)

Section C - Conditions of Contract April (2011)

Section C - Attachment 1 Service Rates Schedule (2011)

Section D - Part 1 General Specification (2011)

Section D - Part 2 Garbage Specification (2011)

Section D - Part 3 Recyclables Specification (2011)

Section D - Part 4 Organics Specification (2011)

Section D - Part 5 Street Litter Specification (2011)

Section D - Part 6 Hard Waste Specification (2011)

Section F - Tender Return Schedules (2011)

Section RR - Resource Recovery Centre Specification (2011)

The following contractual clauses and explanatory notes have been developed by the LGA to assist Councils in negotiating the 'pass through' of the carbon price when utilising landfills captured by the carbon price mechanism. These clauses have been developed in conjunction with the LGA Model Contracts and Tendering Toolkit for inclusion into new or existing waste disposal contracts.

Carbon Price Mechanism Model Contractual Clauses

Australian Packaging Covenant Action Plan 2011 - 2013

The Australian Packaging Covenant (APC) is a voluntary initiative, by Government and Industry, to reduce the environmental effects of packaging. It is designed to reduce waste to landfill by conserving resources through better design and production processes and facilitate the re-use and recycling of used packaging materials.

The LGA is a signatory to the APC and has membership on the APC Council. As a signatory to the APC, the LGA will continue to foster a collaborative approach between industry and all spheres of Government to achieve lifecycle management of packaging and paper and the implementation of sustainable kerbside collection systems.

Signatories are required to prepare action plans that identify key actions to achieve the goals of the APC. A copy of the LGA's action plan for the period 2011 - 13 is available here.