WASTE MINIMISATION POLICY
INTRODUCTION
Aim
This policy provides a framework to manage waste material in an attempt to minimise or avoid adverse
impacts on the environment without compromise to safety, amenity or Australian Defence Force (ADF)
capability.
Scope
This policy outlines objectives and application, the waste minimisation hierarchy, roles and
responsibilities, implementation and the performance reporting regime.
Background
The significant amount of waste generated by packaging material prompted the development of the
National Packaging Covenant (NPC) issued in 1996 and updated in 2005. The covenant is being
implemented across Commonwealth agencies under Commonwealth Action Plans (CAPs) managed
by the Department of Environment and Heritage (DEH). These CAPs provided the initial impetus for
this policy.
Green Office Procurement principles apply to all Defence acquisition and procurement activities
(Defence Procurement Policy Manual - chapter 3.16) and are subject to annual disclosure in the
Defence Annual Report (DAR). The Australian National Audit Office (ANAO) audit of 2005 into Green
Office Procurement found Defence could improve its waste management performance in several
areas. Recommendations from the audit included:
a.
greater use of reusable and recyclable materials;
b.
inclusion of the environmental impacts of waste materials in life cycle cost
assessments for construction, refurbishment and refit projects;
c.
commingled and organic waste recycling schemes for office waste management;
d.
procurement practices that reduce packaging waste including clauses in purchasing
contracts that serve to minimise packaging waste; and
e.
recording of achievements in the DAR.
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act) also strongly
endorses a proactive approach to waste minimisation by Commonwealth agencies and requires annual
reporting of Departmental alignment with the principles of ecologically sustainable development.
These and other mandated requirements relating to waste minimisation are identified in the regulatory
framework detailed in Annex A, which covers Commonwealth, State and other Government legal
provisions with which Defence managers, contractors and staff must comply.
OBJECTIVES
The primary objectives of this policy are to:
a.
minimise the amount of material from Defence being diverted to landfill;
b.
reduce consumption of natural resources by minimising the amount of packaging
material purchased and continuously increasing demand for recycled content in
Defence procurement;
c.
enhance the Commonwealth’s reputation for environmental management;
d.
reduce waste management and disposal costs through waste streaming.
APPLICATION
This policy applies to all Defence (military and civilian) employees and contractors. Personnel are to
exercise their duty of care and due diligence in pursuing departmental obligations for minimisation of
waste in materials management. The application of this policy is not to be interpreted or applied in any
way that might compromise the ‘Supporting Defence Strategies, Policies and Guidance’ detailed in
Annex A, paragraph 13 to this policy.
There are two major stages in a product’s life cycle and Defence business practice where this policy is
to apply:
a.
Procurement. All procurements and acquisitions within Defence are to pursue
strategies to minimise the consumption of natural resources and maximise recycled
content to the extent possible, without compromise to military capability or safety; and
b.
Disposal. Waste material that has no further practical purpose or use for Defence is to
be offered for reuse or recycled when this is economically viable.
Exclusions. Waste streams outside the scope of this policy are as follows:
a.
hazardous waste, except those which may be recycled including (but not limited to)
vehicle wastes such as, oils, batteries and tyres. Hazardous waste may be defined as
any wastes which fall under the Hazardous Waste Act 1989 or State waste regulations;
b.
contaminated materials or substances exposed on site;
c.
waste waters—this includes for example, surface water runoff from rain events, ‘grey
water’ (used waters not containing human wastes, for example waters from sinks,
showers, vehicle washing which can be used for non potable purposes) and sludges;
d.
quarantine material, medical waste and human wastes, including the treatment and
disposal of sewage; and
e.
Navy war ships where they are disposing of ship generated waste in accordance with
Defence Instruction (Navy) OPS 19–1—Policy for the Disposal of Shipborne Water.
WASTE MINIMISATION HIERARCHY
Waste minimisation is achieved through the application of a ‘Waste Minimisation Hierarchy’, which is
applied from design through to disposal, as detailed below:
1.
avoidance (and reduction). Avoidance of unnecessary consumption of materials at the
concept and design stage of procurement;
2.
reuse. Reuse requires the design and utilisation of re-useable containers and materials
without subjecting the item to a manufacturing process that changes its original
configuration and composition (e.g. reusable packaging and pallets for storage);
3.
recycling. Product recycling requires the raw material to be recovered and used to
manufacture another product;
4.
energy recovery. Energy recovery aims to minimise the need to consume new
resources in manufacturing energy by recovering waste and using it as fuel (e.g.
harnessing methane gases as a fuel from the decomposition of organics materials).
Energy recovery is not to be confused with incineration, in which wastes are simply
burned;
5.
deposits to landfill. Disposal of waste to landfill is the least acceptable form of waste
management, and is to be regarded as the option of last resort.
Residual waste. For the purposes of this policy, residual wastes are those wastes which cannot (or
have not) been avoided, reduced, reused or recycled and as such are sent for appropriate disposal at
an approved waste repository site. Where landfill or other waste repository sites are to be located on
Defence Establishments, Defence policy and guidelines on development, management and
maintenance of such sites are to be applied.
Waste streams. Streaming waste by type affords opportunities to achieve economies of scale in the
presentation, containerisation, transport and treatment of waste. Waste stream types typically include:
a.
construction and demolition materials—inert materials associated with the construction
and demolition of buildings and facilities, for example concrete, bricks, clean fill, steel
reinforcement, timber, plastic and gyprock;
b.
paper, including office paper and other administrative items such as manila folders,
newspapers, paper towels and magazines;
c.
packaging materials that may be easily segregated and recycled include paper,
cardboard, glass, aluminium, steel and plastics;
d.
organic and biodegradable materials including food wastes, vegetation or timber; and
e.
plant and equipment—those materials associated with the maintenance and disposal
of plant (example computers, machinery, cars) and associated equipment that may be
recycled, for example, toner cartridges, computer parts, tyres, oils, batteries and end of
life vehicle body parts.
Product stewardship.
The product stewardship principle requires suppliers who design and develop a product to take
responsibility for its life cycle environmental impacts: that is, from design through to disposal. As a
major purchaser of specialised equipment, Defence should endeavour to ensure product stewardship
agreements apply to suppliers. The broad scope of supply chain activities undertaken by the ADF
makes it a “packaging brand owner” within the context of the NPC and this brings responsibilities and
obligations of product stewardship.
The Environmental Purchasing Guide developed by DEH provides voluntary guidance to purchasers
in the Australian Government regarding the consideration of relevant energy and environmental issues
in procurement decision making. The included checklists cover a range of key goods and services,
including paper and cardboard, packaging, office equipment (and consumables), refrigerators,
dishwashers, desk lighting, recycled products, building management services, waste management
services, cleaning services and printing services. Each checklist identifies key environmental
performance criteria and provides model tender specifications.
ROLES AND RESPONSIBILITIES
Defence Support Group (DSG) personnel are responsible for ensuring that Defence waste
minimisation principles, green procurement and product stewardship principles are implemented in
their activities to the extent considered reasonably practicable. The key roles are:

Assistant Secretary Environment, Heritage and Risk (ASEHR), departmental technical
authority, is responsible for the Waste Minimisation Policy and for reporting on departmental
waste materials management in the DAR and to other regulatory authorities including the DEH
for NPC compliance;

Head Infrastructure and Head National Operations Division are responsible for waste
minimisation in all new facilities construction and facilities refurbishment projects under their
control;

Assistant Secretary Technical and Facilities Services (ASTFS) establishes the standards
for waste minimisation in Garrison Support Services (GSS) and Comprehensive Maintenance
Service (CMS) contracts;

Assistant Secretary, Business Services Branch (BSB) is responsible for applying the waste
minimisation principles in procurements of business equipment, office requisites and janitorial
products;

Director General Regions and Bases (DGRB) is responsible for ensuring that service
delivery performance at the regional and base levels matches the standards prescribed by
ASTFS in GSS and CMS contracts for the management and minimisation of waste material.
Regional Managers are to ensure that services delivered by GSS and CMS contractors are
consistent with this policy, including the implementation of Regional Waste Minimisation Plans
(RWMPs).

Resource and Governance Managers are responsible for overseeing the regional
contractual arrangements in place with GSS and CMS contractors for waste minimisation and
management.

Base Service Managers and Regional Energy and Sustainability Managers (RESMs) are
to comply with the DGRB functional arrangements for delivery of base level waste
management services, including streaming, recycling and reporting of waste to meet the
requirements of this policy.
Other Groups and Services

Chief Capability Development is responsible for incorporating waste minimisation principles
into life cycle assessments, via the Non-Functional Requirements System (NFRS) procedures,
associated with the development of capability options for Government consideration, prior to a
capability solution being passed to the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) for acquisition.

Chief Executive Officer Defence Materiel Organisation is responsible for incorporating
waste minimisation principles into acquisition projects (standing offers, tenders, contracts) and
the Defence’s Procurement Policy Manual.

Chief Information Officer is responsible for ensuring that waste minimisation principles are
recognised and referred to in documentation applied to the procurement, in-service
management and disposal of Information Communications and Technology (ICT) equipment,
particularly where this is an element utilised in the Defence Information Environment (DIE) and
where that DIE and ICT infrastructure is managed by or through the Chief Information Officer
Group.

Service Chiefs and Commander Headquarters Joint Operations Command are
responsible for ensuring that waste minimisation principles are applied to their respective
activities to the extent possible without compromising military capability and/or operational
effectiveness. Similar expectations are applied to the civilian management hierarchies of other
Defence Groups.

Fleet and Product Managers are to require that suppliers of Defence goods and services,
especially packaging, apply product stewardship principle to the maximum extent reasonably
practicable.
IMPLEMENTATION
Planning
Waste minimisation planning is to be conducted within the Defence Environmental Management
System (EMS) framework. DSG RESMs are to ensure RWMPs stipulate regional objectives and site
specific targets for achievement of the measures identified in the DESP. The central focus of RWMPs
should be the daily operations and maintenance of Defence facilities, including leased buildings, and
their surrounds. GSS and CMS contracts, to which waste reduction measures may be applied, are to
provide details for input into the RWMP in accordance with guidance on regional planning in Annex B.
RWMPs are to be submitted for approval and funding by Regional Managers.
Procurement Contracting.
In procurement excercies, weighting should be given to a suppliers commitment to product
stewardship, waste minimisation performance and if they are NPC compliant/ signatories. Examples of
weightings to be utilised include recycled content of packaging, printers which default to duplex and
equipment disposal arrangements.
Records of evaluation of life cycle environmental impacts assessments should be maintained and
available for audit. Life cycle assessments for all major acquisitions are to explicitly include
environmental impacts especially in regard to the packaging standards prescribed.
Defence will incorporate the waste minimisation objectives for all new tenders into applicable and
appropriate contractual arrangements with suppliers of goods to Defence. Specific contracting
requirements are to:
a.
remove barriers to acquisition of products or packaging which are recyclable and
continually raise their recycled content;
b.
ensure goods supplied to Defence are contained in packaging that is not excessive,
can be reused, is made from recycled materials wherever possible, can be easily
recycled and that meets NPC and CAP requirements;
c.
ensure product stewardship principles are applied where possible. For example,
suppliers of goods and services are made responsible for taking back packaging
waste and their products when Defence has no further use for it;
d.
ensure that ITC equipment defaults to doubled sided print and minimises the use of
consumables such as paper, toner cartridges; and
e.
ensure service providers (such as cleaners) conduct their operations in ways that
enable waste streaming and recycling systems to perform effectively.
Packaging design, codes and standards.
The design and selection of packaging materials is to satisfy the requirements of this policy, provided
they do not compromise military capability. Where possible, they are to be of comparable cost and
quality to other products on a whole of life basis. Systems, procedures and policies for departmental
packaging requirements and packaged products used by Defence for the movement of stores and
equipment are to incorporate the principles of the Environmental Code of Practice for Packaging and
Environmental Guidelines for Packaging (Schedule 5 of the NPC).
Australian Defence Force operations.
Environmental considerations including waste material management, can have significant impacts on
ADF operations where environmental standards of host nations—be they express or implied—are
breached. Where applicable, ADF and host nation waste minimisation and disposal requirements are
to be considered in operations planning and requisite procedures are to be detailed in the applicable
Operations Orders or other applicable documents.
Landfill sites generated by the ADF (as opposed to those developed and operated by host nation
authorities in foreign countries) are to be managed in accordance with any applicable local laws and
regulations. They are to be registered and approved in accordance with Defence Environmental Policy
on waste management—i.e., be approved by ASEHR and registered in the Contaminated Sites
Register.
Infrastructure Asset Development.
All infrastructure design, construction, refurbishment, operation, maintenance and disposal activities
undertaken by DSG shall comply with Green Building Requirements in the Defence Environmental
Sustainability Policy. The Defence Infrastructure Management System and supporting guidance shall
include specific provisions to apply the principles of the waste hierarchy to infrastructure projects for
construction, refurbishment and re-fit of buildings and facilities.
All DSG infrastructure development, delivery, maintenance and operation contracts, including
Comprehensive Maintenance Services contracts, Garrison Support Service contracts and the Defence
suite of contracts, will include specific waste management clauses consistent with this policy.
Specifically, all works associated with the asset development process (including all new construction
and all refurbishment projects) are to define how construction and demolition wastes are to be reused
in the development, or segregated on site for recycling at an external facility.
Daily facility use and maintenance.
All Defence personnel and contractors responsible for day-to-day facility operations and maintenance
shall ensure that waste minimisation measures consistent with the objectives of this policy are
incorporated into the daily operations and use of their facilities and are included in agreements,
arrangements or processes for the use of Defence facilities and equipment by third parties such as
contractors and foreign forces.
Waste related clauses consistent with this policy are to be developed for any long term contractor
providing Base support to Defence, including GSS and CMS. Specifically, this means the requirement
to provide input into RWMPs and ongoing waste monitoring and reporting requirements as detailed in
the following section “Performance and reporting regime”.
GSS contractors are required to utilise site relevant waste management procedures to improve waste
streaming and reduction of waste to landfill through exploitation of reuse and recycling opportunities.
Annex C provides guidance on continuous improvement initiatives, to which contractors should adhere
as a minimum (if relevant to the site).
Defence personnel and contractors shall not dispose of waste in a manner that has the potential to
have a significant impact on the environment and are to comply with the relevant provisions of the
EPBC Act.
Participation and awareness
Specific training programmes, including on-line training are to be developed by Environment Heritage
and Risk Branch as appropriate for:
a.
Defence personnel involved in simple and complex procurements and contract
negotiations with suppliers to Defence;
b.
DSG Regional Managers;
c.
DSG Regional environmental staff (SEA, REO, RESM); and
d.
DSG Resource and Governance Managers.
Relevant managers with responsibility for functions that incorporate waste issues will aim to increase
awareness and knowledge of waste management issues among Defence personnel and contractors
by encouraging all personnel in their span of control to participate in relevant waste reduction initiatives
which may be outlined in Defence posters, web sites and other information guides; and including
waste matters on agendas for Regional Environmental Working Groups.
PERFORMANCE AND REPORTING REGIME
Key Performance Indicators
The DESP identifies waste specific Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) as part of the Defence EMS
reporting process, which will be developed and implemented over time as the RWMPs, procurement
contracts, CMS and GSS contracts are revised. Performance is to be measured against the KPIs in
the following four dimensions:
Education and Training
a.
incorporation of waste minimisation principles into purchasing and standing offer
arrangements;
b.
participation by Defence staff in waste recycling initiatives (waste awareness).
Procurement
a.
adoption of the Environmental Code of Practice for Packaging and Environmental
Guidelines for Packaging (ECoPP) into systems, procedures and policies within
Defence;
b.
incorporation of waste minimisation objectives into contractual arrangements with
suppliers of goods to Defence;
c.
implementation of purchasing policies for recycled content goods.
Infrastructure Development and Facility Maintenance
a.
consideration of waste minimisation principles (re-use and recycle potential) for all
materials used in the maintenance and disposal phase of a facilities/building lifecycle
in accordance with Defence Green Building Requirements;
b.
consideration of waste minimisation principals (re-use and recycle potential) during
construction and demolition works for new Defence facilities/buildings in accordance
with Defence Green Building Requirements.
Daily Facility Use
a.
introduction of on-site recycling collection facilities in Defence;
b.
diversion of paper, packaging and other waste types to recycling;
c.
planning for waste management and minimisation on a regional level.
Reporting requirements
Annual reporting. Performance against KPIs, to the extent possible, is to be reported annually by
RESMs to ASEHR in DSG. ASEHR is to summarise and collate all data relating to the reporting
measures against the KPIs for input into the DAR and reporting to DEH against Commonwealth Action
Plans. ASEHR will provide guidance for DSG regional staff (and their contractors), DMO and other
Groups and Services where appropriate.
Daily Facility Use. GSS, or relevant contractors, are required to compile and collate relevant data for
all Defence facilities serviced in the region and report this to RESMs.
Compliance and Performance audits. A system of compliance and performance audits as per the
Defence EMS is required to evaluate and review whether nominated Defence standards, identified in
policy and contract documentation, complies with organisational strategic goals and higher level
objectives, such as Government policy. Performance audits or ‘self review’ are to assess whether
actual performance, in terms of services delivered, matches policy, specifications and standards such
as those for construction, office fit-outs and packaging of Defence materials.
Waste stream audits. Waste audits are to be undertaken, in consultation with the DSG Regional
environmental staff, when the quantity or mix of waste by stream is not as expected. The audits will
provide a percentage breakdown of waste materials (verifiable estimate of waste tonnages) based on
representative samples. Waste audits are to indicate the effectiveness of waste streaming and to
provide baseline data upon which improvements may be made.
Sponsor:
ASEHR
Annexes:
A.
Regulatory framework
B.
Guidance on the development of Defence Regional Waste Management Plans
C.
Continuous improvement guidelines
D.
References
Annex A
REGULATORY FRAMEWORK
Commonwealth requirements
The Environment Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999 (the EPBC Act)
1.
The EPBC Act provides the legislative and regulatory framework for Commonwealth
organisations to pursue ecologically sustainable development and environmental performance.
2.
The EPBC Act is supported by a regulatory framework of laws, regulations, agreements and
Departmental policy which provide direction and guidance on how Defence is to meet
Commonwealth obligations. The requirements of the regulatory framework are reflected in
Commonwealth Procurement Guidelines, the Defence Procurement Policy Manual (DPPM) the
Defence Infrastructure Management system, and the Defence Environmental Management
System. The Defence Environment Management System is outlined in Defence Policy (General)
(DI(G)) ADMIN 40–2—Environment and Heritage Management in Defence and the Defence
Environment Management Manual – yet to be released.
National Government Waste Reduction and Purchasing Guidelines
3.
The National Government Waste Reduction and Purchasing Guidelines were endorsed by the
Australian and New Zealand Environment and Conservation Council (ANZECC) in 1995. These
national guidelines are an important component of the waste reduction policy for Australia and
outline principles to be adopted by all Australian Government agencies and departments. The
Guidelines are now administered by the Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council,
which was established in June 2001 after the restructure of ANZECC.
National Packaging Covenant
4.
In 1996 ANZECC instigated negotiations between government and all parts of the packaging
supply chain, resulting in the establishment of the National Packaging Covenant (NPC), which
commenced in July 1999. The NPC is now administered by the Environment Protection and
Heritage Council, which was established in June 2001 after the restructure of ANZECC. The
Commonwealth Government is a signatory (through the Minister for Environment and Heritage)
to the NPC, a voluntary co-regulatory arrangement, which aims to achieve more effective
management of used packaging based on the principles of shared responsibility and product
stewardship.
5.
The NPC was updated in July 2005 and commits signatories to a national recycling target of 65
percent for packaging by the end of 2010, and to allow no further increases in packaging waste
disposed to landfill. There is also recognition by signatories that a cooperative approach
between industry and government is essential to achieve national consistency in the lifecycle
management of packaging and paper.
6.
The Department of Environment and Heritage (DEH) represents the Commonwealth on the NPC
and has produced Commonwealth Action Plans that are binding on all Commonwealth
Departments. The plans require Departments to monitor and report performance against the
KPIs identified in this Policy on an annual basis commencing October 2006. These will be
reviewed in 2008 with a view to implementing NPC goals and provisions by 2010. The Australian
Government expects all of its Departments to incorporate the NPC principles, as stipulated in
the Commonwealth Action Plan, into their daily operations.
7.
It should be noted that the NPC and the associated DEH National Environment Protection
Measure (NEPM) on Used Packaging Materials applies to all users of the Australian Defence
Force (ADF) packaging ‘brand’. The NEPM stipulates that ‘a person’ who is the owner or
licensee in Australia of a trade mark under which a product is sold or otherwise distributed in
Australia, whether the trade mark is registered or not, is included in the scope of its
requirements. It follows that the ADF circular ‘broad arrow’ mark whether used by the ADF or its
suppliers, is to be considered under this requirement.
Legislative requirements
8.
Key legislative requirements that relate to waste minimisation and recycling are:
a.
the EPBC Act;
b.
National Environment Protection (Used Packaging Materials) Measure (NEPM Act) 1998; and
c.
State, Territory and Local Government waste minimisation regulations and initiatives.
9.
10.
11.
Under Section 28 (1) of the EPBC Act, a Commonwealth agency must not undertake an action
that ‘has, will have, or is likely to have a significant impact on the environment inside or outside
the Australian jurisdiction’. This places a commitment on Defence to reduce the amount of
materials being deposited in landfills, which have inherent environmental impacts. Furthermore,
Section 516A (6) requires the production of annual reports by Commonwealth Departments that
document how activities accord to the principles of ecologically sustainable development, the
effects of activities on the environment, measures to minimise the impact of activities, and
mechanisms for reviewing and increasing the effectiveness of those measures. ‘Activities’, as
defined in this section of the EPBC Act, include the development and implementation of policies.
This policy meets these requirements.
The regulatory framework underpinning the NPC is the NEPM Act 1998. The focus of the NEPM
is on industries within the packaging supply chain and does not apply to the Commonwealth.
Many State, Territory and Local authorities have in place regional initiatives in relation to waste
management, recycling and reduction. These initiatives generally set broad waste minimisation
targets. In keeping with one of the principles contained in the Defence Environmental Policy (i.e.
to embrace community’s expectations relating to the environment), Defence should strive to
comply with State, Territory and Local Government waste minimisation initiatives where it is
reasonably practicable to do so.
Defence requirements
12. Departmental guidance underpinning this Policy is:
a.
Defence Environmental Policy. This Policy supports the key objective of the Defence
Environmental Policy to develop sustainable environmental management measures that
compliment and support Defence capability and procurement requirements, and have
operational application.
b.
Defence Environmental Strategic Plan (DESP) 2006–2009. The DESP identifies natural
resource consumption, including waste generation, as one of its five most significant
environmental issues. This Policy implements a range of measures to monitor and continuously
improve waste minimisation and reduce consumption of natural resources across all activities of
the portfolio. These measures compliment and support the DESP.
c.
DPPM. The DPPM, section 3, chapter 3.16, essentially mandates that Defence procurement will
apply the Defence Environmental Management System (EMS) to all acquisition, procurement
and contracting activities. This section also mandates responsibilities for compliance with
environmentally sound procurement and business practices supported by policy, an audit regime
and evaluation of departmental performance in Defence Annual Reports.
d.
EMS. The EMS aims to improve Defence’s management of environmental risk and performance
in accordance with the International Organisation for Standardisation standard 14001. The EMS
integrates environmental responsibilities with other Defence business processes, and supports
the ADF’s capability development while managing its environmental risks. The EMS is raised
under authority of the aforesaid legislative framework and is implemented at three levels:
corporate, Groups and Services, and sites. The EMS can be viewed at
http://defweb.cbr.defence.gov.au/ems/.
Supporting Defence Strategies, Policies and Guidance Documents
13. The principles and objectives of this Policy support, and are complimentary to, the aim and intent
of the following Departmental policies, the provision of which are to be to be complied with in the
implementation of this Policy:
a.
DI(G) ADMIN 40–2—Environment and Heritage Management in Defence;
b.
DI(G) ADMIN 40–3—Assessment and approval of Defence actions under the Environment
Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999;
c.
Departmental Instruction (Environment) (DI(ENV)) 1/2002—Defence environmental policy and
management system;
d.
DI(ENV) 2/2005—Department of Defence Ecologically Sustainable Development strategy;
e.
DI(ENV) 13/2002—Annual reporting of environmental matters;
f.
DI(G) ADMIN 46–1—Quarantine;
g.
DI(G) LOG 3–4—Defence Policy on Life Cycle Cost Analysis; and
h.
TARDIS FPS Non-Functional Requirements System (NFRS). The TARDIS FPS NonFunctional Requirements System (NFRS) was developed in response to a need to standardise the
tools and systems to be used to develop FPS documentation and to do so in a less expensive and
more robust manner. Its purpose is to provide completeness, accuracy and consistency to all nonfunctional requirements being developed within any Functional Performance Specification (FPS) or
system level requirement document within the Defence environment. In any system requirement, it
might be considered that there are two sets of requirements – functional and non-functional. Each of
these have different characteristics:

Generating functional requirements is a creative activity where derivation of the requirement
from the operational or user need is the aim. This is often done as a “one-off” activity as it is
applicable to that system alone.

Generating non-functional requirements is primarily a research activity to identify the design,
compliance and other constraints required of the system. This research can be done centrally and
be used many times. The NFRS leverages off this characteristic to provide better value for money
to the Commonwealth.
The NFRS is a system that provides support for the production of non-functional requirements,
particularly in the system requirement document and specifically the Functional Performance
Specification (FPS) as part of the production of the Capability Definition Document suite.
The SOP containing more detail on the process and how it is to be used is at:
http://intranet.defence.gov.au/cde/sites/ChkDoc.asp?S=8522&D=2965&URL=docs/TARDIS FPS NonFunctional Requirements System (NFRS).pdf
Annex B
GUIDANCE ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF DEFENCE REGIONAL WASTE MANAGEMENT PLANS
As a minimum, regional plans are to address the following criteria:
1. baseline and performance data to date;
2. targets and priorities to avoid or reduce waste for each waste stream and where possible substreams;
(a) sub-stream might look at black spot analysis to identify the biggest ‘offender’ in a
stream and concentrate effort on fixing that one item;
3. targets and procurement procedures for purchasing products containing recycled material;
(a) rather than try to fix all procurement lines immediately a five–ten year incremental
approach of targeting specific items for achievable performance is recommended;
4. assignment of responsibilities to regional appointments including, where appropriate,
contractors and contract managers. Regional responsibilities and accountabilities are to
include the identification of those designated appointments to which the related Regional waste
management responsibilities and accountabilities apply. Legal advice is that responsibilities
and accountabilities need to be assigned to individuals not just to positional organisation
appointments and agencies. Regional Waste Management Plans should also identify to whom
each individual is responsible, for example the Base/ Site Regional Energy and Sustainability
Manager is responsible to Regional Manager for contractor compliance with prescribed waste
management processes.
5. details on the storage, collection, transport and recovery or disposal of recyclable materials
(organics, recyclable packaging materials, plant and equipment) and, for completeness, other
waste materials generated by Defence, including, but not limited to, confidential materials,
trade, industrial, clinical and quarantine wastes.
6. reporting measures to monitor and report against the Defence KPIs of this policy in terms of
activity which Regions can influence and control.
Annex C
CONTINUOUS IMPROVEMENT GUIDELINES
1.
Contractor continuous improvement initiatives for Garrison Support Contractors and
Comprehensive Maintenance Contractors as appropriate, are to include:
a.
development and implementation of Regional Waste Minimisation Plans (RWMPs) to
accord with policy requirements including waste streaming and diversion of waste from
landfill to recycling. Refer Annex C for planning guidance;
b.
compliance with green procurement and green building requirements;
c.
the need to define benchmarks and targets for continuous improvement for each year
Management Planning process—targets will normally be offered from the better
tenderers in Tender responses to the statement of works;
d.
during the contract transition period establish a baseline, (with the possible use of
waste audits), to be used as the basis of performance management against the
aforesaid targets and objectives for each waste stream;
e.
provide monthly reports to the Contract Administrator (CA) of tonnages to landfill
versus tonnages to recycling;
f.
conduct annual waste audits for assessment of contamination of waste streams and
recycling bins to measure effectiveness of recycling initiatives;
g.
report annually to the CA the number of packaged products used by the contractor or
sub-contractor (for the movement of stores and equipment) where the Environmental
Code of Practice for Packaging and Environmental Guidelines for Packaging has been
applied;
h.
report annually to the CA the number of suppliers (to Defence) that are National
Packaging Covenant (NPC) signatories and the number of suppliers who are NPC
compliant;
i.
number of Defence facilities and bases where the contractor is recycling on-site, and
what waste streams are being recycled/reused e.g., organic waste recycled to
compost;
j.
tonnes of organic wastes recycled OR the number and volume of composting facilities
provided;
k.
amount of plant and equipment recycled. Quantifiable amounts are to be determined
according to recovered material type;
l.
number of regions where RWMPs have been developed and approved;
m.
exploitation of new technologies such as bio-degradable on-site recycling facilities;
n.
reporting and documentation of incidences; and
o.
provision of education material (including stickers and brochures).
2.
The results of waste audits are to be provided to Defence Support Group Regional
environmental staff and Defence Support Group Resource and Governance Managers.
Annex D
REFERENCES
Department of Defence, Landfill—Thin Guide for Environment Officers, June 2004.
Demonstration of Waste Management for Deployed Forces, Internal Report ‘A Study into ADF Waste
Management for Deployed Forces’
Department of Defence Contamination Management Policy 2003
Department of Defence Contamination Management Manual
Department of Defence Sewage Treatment—Thin Guide for Environmental Officers, June 2004
Waste Pricing Policy For the ACT, March 2002
(see http://www.nowaste.act.gov.au)
National Government Waste Reduction and Purchasing Guidelines
(see http://www.deh.gov.au/settlements/publications/government/purchasing/waste-reduction.html)
Natural Resource Management Ministerial Council
(see http://www.mincos.gov.au)
Environment Protection Heritage Council
(see http://www.ephc.gov.au)
The Packing Council of Australia
(see http://www.packcoun.com.au)
National Packaging Covenant Council, The National Packaging Covenant, A Commitment to the
Sustainable Manufacture, Use and Recovery of Packaging, 15 July 2005 to 30 June 2010
Australian Government, Department of Environment and Heritage, Waste Management
(see http://www.deh.gov.au/industry/waste/index.html)
Commonwealth of Australia, National Packaging Covenant-Action Plan
(see http://www.deh.gov.au/settlements/waste
Environmental Protection and Biodiversity Conservation Act 1999
(see http://www.scaleplus.law.gov.au/html/pasteact/3/3295/top.htm)
Defence Environmental Policy
(see http://defweb.cbr.defence.gov.au/environment/documents/envstate_apr06.pdf)
Defence Environmental Strategic Plan 2006–2009
(see http://defweb.cbr.defence.gov.au/environment/documents/envirostrategicplans.pdf)
Business Rule CSIG 03
(see http://intranet.defence.gov.au/csig/)
Business Rule CSIG 07
(see http://intranet.defence.gov.au/csig/)
Defence Procurement Policy Manual (section 3, chapter 3.16—Environment in Procurements)
(see http://intranet.defence.gov.au/DMOWeb/sites/PS/docs/1DPPM_v6.0_Complete.pdf)
Defence Infrastructure Manual
(see http://defweb.cbr.defence.gov.au/im/).
Disposal of Defence Assets DI(G) Logistics 4-3-008
(see http://defweb.cbr.defence.gov.au/home/documents/DATA/ADFPUBS/DIG/GL4_3_008.PDF)
Green Star
(see http://www.deh.gov.au/settlements/publications/government/ems/pubs/green-star-april-04.pdf)
NABERS
(see http://www.deh.gov.au/settlements/industry/construction/index.html#nabers).
Defence Environmental Management System online
(see http://defweb.cbr.defence.gov.au/ems/)
Environmental Performance Reporting Framework
(see http://defweb.cbr.defence.gov.au/environment/)
National Policy for Ecologically Sustainable Development
(see http://www.deh.gov.au/esd/national/nsesd/index.html)
Environmental Purchasing Checklist and Guidelines
(see http://www.deh.gov.au/settlements/publications/index.html#government)
Voluntary tools for environmental purchasing
(see http://www.deh.gov.au/settlements/government/purchasing/index.html)