The NSW Government has developed a clear commitment to achieving sustainable waste minimisation and resource recovery targets through to 2014, by the endorsement of the NSW Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Strategy 2003 (the Strategy). Under the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2001, Resource NSW has been charged with responsibility to implement the Strategy that changes the focus of waste management in NSW from disposal to waste avoidance and recovery. A key component in supporting the Strategy is the Waste Reduction and Purchasing Policy (WRAPP).

The WRAPP, established in 1997, requires all State Government agencies and State Owned Corporations (SOCs) to reduce waste and purchase materials with recycled content.

As of July 2003, Resource NSW will take over the coordination and reporting of the WRAPP from the Environment Protection Authority (EPA). Accordingly, agencies and SOCs are to direct their WRAPP Plans, Progress Reports and any other WRAPP related enquiries to Resource NSW.

As previously advised by the Director General of the EPA, the timeframe for the biennial reporting is to be based on financial years. The change will provide a more consistent reporting framework, aligning agencies and SOCs collection of data and also complementing Annual Reporting requirements. Progress Reports must be submitted by the last working day of August following each biennial period rather than the previous May deadline.

WRAPP Plans and Progress Reports are to consider waste management issues associated with the operational responsibilities of each agency and SOC. In order to maintain continuous improvement, agencies and SOCs should monitor facilities, product and patterns of usage to update their Plans. Updates to Plans should be provided to Resource NSW at the time of progress reporting.

It should be noted that the requirements of this Memorandum are separate to the WRAPP reporting requirements of Treasury Circular No. 02/08 - Annual Reporting Update, which detail the WRAPP Progress Reporting required in summary form for Annual Reports.

Information concerning the Government's WRAPP, including Progress Report guidelines can be accessed from the WRAPP website, www.wrapp.nsw.gov.au

Bob Carr
Premier