What is the ‘WRAPP’?

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NSW Government's
Waste Reduction and Purchasing Policy

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‘WRAPP’ stands for the NSW Government Waste Reduction and Purchasing Policy. It is a whole-of-government policy which aims to make NSW Government agencies and state owned corporations model waste managers by:

reducing waste
increasing recycling ; and
increasing purchases of recycled content products.

The WRAPP requires agencies to give priority to buying materials with recycled content where they are cost and performance competitive and reduce the amount of waste they generate.

When was it introduced?

The WRAPP was first announced in 1996. Guidelines for agencies to implement the WRAPP were developed by the NSW Environment Protection Authority and released by Premiers Memorandum in 1997 (see Premiers Memos 97-20). State owned corporations (such as electricity, water, rail and port utilities) were included in the WRAPP in 1999 (see Premier's Memorandum 99-19).

Who does it apply to?

The WRAPP applies to approximately 140 NSW Government agencies and state owned corporations.

Who is coordinating it?

The Department of Environment and Conservation (NSW) (DEC) is coordinating the implementation of the WRAPP across the NSW Government. It is important to note that the WRAPP is a whole-of-government policy and not a DEC policy.

What do agencies have to do to comply with the policy?

Agencies must do two things. Firstly, they must prepare a WRAPP plan which outlines strategies to implement the WRAPP across their agency. Plans vary depending on the function, size and location of the agency. Secondly, agencies must collect data on the quantities of recycled content products they are purchasing and amount of waste they are recycling. This data is then periodically reported to DEC.

What do agencies have to report on?

All agencies are required to periodically report progress in implementing their WRAPP plans to DEC. Currently agencies must report every two years. The Minister for the Environment is required to report to the Premier on agencies that are not complying with the WRAPP or their own WRAPP plans.

What help are agencies getting to implement the WRAPP?

DEC Project Officers are available to assist NSW Government Agencies to implement their WRAPP Plans. DEC WRAPP Project Officers support agencies by

providing information and advice to agencies
running training and education programs
assisting waste audits
developing a network of WRAPP contact officers across the NSW Government
briefing industry and other stakeholders
assisting to develop markets for recycled content products; and
providing a central point of contact for WRAPP issues.

For more information contact the DEC WRAPP Officers.