LGP Sustainable Choice Newsletter
March 2020

" Does your procurement process deliver economic, environmental and social considerations?"

National Waste Policy Action Plan 2019 -

Waste bans

The National Waste Policy Action Plan 2019 was released in November 2019.

One of the targets of the Action plan that will have a big impact on many councils is the Waste bans. The below is important to note:

Export ban of waste plastic, paper, glass and tyres commencing in the second half of 2020.

Commonwealth, state and territory ministers agreed that the ban would commence on 1 July 2020 with a phased approach:

All waste glass by July 2020
Mixed waste plastics by July 2021
All whole tyres, including baled tyres by December 2021
Remaining waste products, including mixed paper and cardboard by no later than 30 June 2022

The above will have a large impact on waste management, the recycling industry and local government. Councils owned MRFs and recycling facilities will no longer be able to export the above recyclable materials without first undertaking more secondary processing.

Sustainable Choice will present on and discuss the National WastePolicy Action Plan 2019 at the LGP networking meetings and Sustainable Choice forums in 2020. For the LGP 2020 Events Calendar click here.

The full Action Plan can be accessed here.

NSW to lead way in Net Zero Plan

The NSW government has released its Stage 1 of its Net Zero plan. It is the foundation of NSW 's action on climate change and goal to reach net zero emissions by 2050.

The ''Net Zero'' plan is it's first kind in Australia. The Plan identifies four key priorities, these include:

Driving the uptake of emissions reducing technologies,
Helping consumers and businesses to make sustainable choices
Drive uptake of proven emissions reduction technologies
Investments in emissions reduction innovation

The government has committed to leading by example when it comes to government purchasing policy. Government at all levels will need to assist with increasing the demand for sustainable products including those containing recycled material (as stated in the National Waste Policy Action Plan) and those sustainable products and material that will assist in lowering emissions being part of the "Net Zero'' Plan.

The NSW government will provide consumers with more information in order for them to make sustainable choices. They will do so in different ways but some of those ways include labeling on vehicles, providing consumers with energy providers emission ratings, expanding the NABERS rating scheme to include more types of buildings and increase demand/supply of low emission produced construction material. To access the full Net Zero Plan, Stage 1, please click here.

For government at all levels this sends a clear message that sustainable procurement needs to be a priority. It is now more important than ever to ensure that your council has in place sustainable procurement related policies that are being implemented. By practicing sustainable procurement, we address climate change, modern slavery, the recycling crisis and many other sustainability issues.

Sustainable Choice members have access to a large number of online resources that can assist in achieving some of the above. There are example sustainable procurement policies, sustainability tender questions and templates available. The Sustainable Choice database is a resource available to be used when sourcing sustainable products and services, including searching for products that contain recycled content and/or are recyclable. If there is anything you would like to have access to but currently don't or have questions, please get in touch.

Net Zero Plan - impacts for electrification in Local Government

The recent announcement of the New Zero Plan Stage 1 is great news for fleets in NSW and could be a catalyst for action for your councils!

As part of this plan, the Electric Vehicle Infrastructure and Model Availability Program provides opportunities for local governments through:

· Support for the deployment of charging infrastructure

· Incentives for fleet EV purchases

This is a big step forward in terms of support offered for local governments to purchase electric vehicles and provide charging stations in their communities. Over the coming weeks, the NSW Government will be holding engagement workshops to develop and refine these programs.

Councils have access to a free program, Charge Together Fleets is a free program developed by the Electric Vehicle Council and Evenergi in association with the NSW Government, NRMA, ARENA and Ausgrid. The program and BetterFleet tool will help local governments build the business case for electrification - which will be vital in accessing the grants as part of the NSW plan.

Launched in October 2019, the program provides resources to help accelerate the transition to electric fleets. Charge Together Fleets includes a knowledge base, webinars, and a free fleet transition tool- BetterFleet, to help local governments accelerate their transition to low carbon fleets.

You will have the opportunity to come and listen to a representative from the program at the Sustainable Choice Sydney Forum in June presenting on this topic.

You can view the program here: www.chargetogether.org

Sustainable Procurement Forums 2020

Dubbo Postponed!

Our first event of the year took place in Port Macquarie on Tuesday 3rd March. It was a successful workshop attended by 18 council representatives. The workshops were very well received with councils who attended agreeing on a target, relating to the procurement of recycled content, to work towards.

Unfortunately due to the recent developments and measures taken around Covid-19, we have made the decision to postpone the Dubbo event. A new date will be communicated as soon as feasible. We will also review Nowra and Sydney closer to the time.

30th April 2020 - Dubbo - Postponed
3rd June - Nowra
10th June 2020 - Marrickville, Sydney

Click here to register and to view agenda and workshop outlines.

New Sustainable Choice Dashboard in LEAP

We are pleased to announce the launch of the Sustainable Choice dashboard into LGP's Leading Efficiency and Analytics Program product (LEAP).

All LEAP customers who are Sustainable Choice members will be able to elect to add the Sustainable Choice dashboard. The dashboard provides data based on the responses provided by council in the Sustainable Choice Annual survey. This is an excellent way for council to track progress and achievements in sustainable procurement. It makes for an easy way to report and demonstrate progress to executives as well as the community.

The dashboard also provides recommendations for further progress and council can mark these as not started, in progress or completed, making it easier to track and report.

This dashboard is now available!

If you would like further information or have questions, please contact us.

Strengthening Sustainability in LGP Contracts

LGP is implementing sustainable procurement practices with specific sustainability criteria addressed in all new contracts, which includes economic, environmental and social considerations. LGP contracts renewed in 2017, 2018 and 2019 were processed with sustainable procurement principles in mind. The criteria for each RFT was tailored to address those sustainability risks and opportunities specific to each contract and was mandatory and weighted. Supplier responses to sustainability criteria are included in the 'Buyer's Guide' associated with each contract, enabling councils to make better informed decisions and purchase more sustainable products and services.

Corporate Clothing, Workwear and PPE (LGP219)
Plant, Machinery and Equipment (LGP419)
Playgrounds, Open Spaces, Modular Structures, Exterior Lighting, Recreational and Associated Infrastructure (LGP308-3)
Bitumen, Emulsions and Asphalt Materials and Services (LGP213-2)
Road and Traffic Signage, Associated Hardware and Roadside Products (LGP114)
Traffic Management Services (LGP113-2)
Waste Audit Management Services (LGP118)
Office Supplies & Janitorial (including; Heavy Duty Cleaning) & Associated Products (LGP1007-3)
Waste Audit Management Services (LGP118)
Human Resources (HR) – Permanent and Temporary Placements and Associated Services (LGP808-3)

Online Resources

Sustainable Choice has a comprehensive range of online resources for Sustainable Choice members. These resources include guides, fact sheets, case studies, example documents, example sustainability tender questions and useful links. Recently added online resources for Sustainable Choice members include:

Case study - Lockhart shire Council - Recycled Glass in Road Base
Case study - Blacktown City Council - Recycled Paper Journey
Case study - Bristol City Council - Creating Social Value
Case study - Inner West Council - Embedding sustainability into 'value for money'
Case study - Byron Shire Council - Bridges Replacement Program
Case study - Wollongong Administration building receives 6 star
Case study - Procuring lighting as a service
Case study - Electric vehicle car sharing service
Modern Slavery - how can local government address it
How to get the most out of your Sustainable Choice membership
Sustainability tender schedules products and services
Modern slavery related example tender questions

Sustainable Choice Database

The Sustainable Choice Database makes the search for sustainable products and services easier for you. The expansive online database lists sustainable products and services, from energy-efficient lighting to recycled furniture and infrastructure products, paper and printing, road base, catering and events supplies. Sustainability indicators have been incorporated into the database to help you identify why a product is considered to be more sustainable than another in order for you to choose the most appropriate for your needs and budget. You can access the database at www.sustainablechoice.lgp.org.au

If you know of a sustainable supplier that isn’t listed on the database please let us know and we will contact them. Similarly if there is a particular product you are looking for and cannot find it on the database please let us know.