National Waste Data Framework Project

Background:

In July 2013 WasteMINZ applied to the Government’s Waste Minimisation Fund (WMF) to develop a national waste data framework. The application was made with the support of a wide cross-section of the waste industry, including central, regional and local government, and the private sector.

On 30 July 2014 Environment Minister Amy Adams announced that she had approved a $97,500 grant from the Waste Minimisation Fund for the development of a national waste data framework and that WasteMINZ would lead the project.

This project is now complete, please find all of the milestone reports at the bottom of this page.

Project Funding:

The total cost of the project was $160,000. $97,500 of this came from the government’s Waste Minimisation Fund, and the remaining $62,500 came from WasteMINZ and our local government partners, as follows:

• Auckland Council
• Bay of Plenty Regional Council
• Combined Canterbury Councils
• Environment Canterbury
• Far North District Council
• Gisborne District Council
• Kapiti Coast District Council
• Marlborough District Council
• Palmerston North City Council
• Porirua City Council
• South Waikato District Council
• Tasman District Council
• Taupo District Council
• Waikato Regional Council
• Waitaki District Council
• Wellington City Council

Form of the framework:

The development of the national waste data framework has taken the following form:

• A staged approach for developing a national waste data framework, focusing initially on the most important elements while also setting out a clear ‘upgrade’ path to include other elements.
• The first stage of the framework (which is now complete) includes data on waste disposed of at levied disposal sites, information on waste services and infrastructure as well as other areas where practicable.
• Subsequent stages of the framework (to be addressed in the future) will include more detailed data on diverted materials and waste disposed of at non-levied disposal sites.

Framework deliverables:

The first stage of the framework has established the following:

• Definitions for waste data terms
• Protocols for gathering waste data that meets the definitions
• Protocols for managing and reporting waste data
• Roles and obligations of key parties
• Information system requirements if we were to move towards consolidated national waste data reporting

Project Management and Delivery:

The project was led and managed by WasteMINZ with support from technical advisers. The key people were as follows:

• Nic Quilty, Project Management
• Paul Evans, Stakeholder Engagement

Technical advice and framework development:

• Bruce Middleton (Waste Not Consulting)
• Duncan Wilson (Eunomia Research &  Consulting)

Project milestones and reports:

Milestone One: Complete

• Establish data needs of key stakeholders.
• This milestone was completed on 14 July 2014. You can read the milestone report here.

Milestone Two: Complete

• Develop DRAFT National Waste Data Framework.
• This milestone was completed on 2 March 2015.
• You can read the milestone documents below:
  • Review of international waste data practice
  • Draft Definitions and Protocols for Information about Waste Services and Facilities
  • Draft Definitions and Protocols for Waste to Disposal Facilities

Milestone Three: Complete

• Consult on the DRAFT National Waste Data Framework.
• This milestone was completed on 26 June 2015.
• You can read the milestone documents below:
  • Consultation on Definitions and Protocols – Consultation Report

Milestone Four: Complete

• Final National Waste Data Framework and implementation plan.
• This milestone was completed on 31 August 2015.
• You can read the milestone documents below:
  • National Waste Data Framework – Protocols
  • National Waste Data Framework – Implementation Report

Implementation:

Now that the WMF project to develop the first stage of the framework is complete, we move into the equally important implementation phase. The framework will only be successful if it is widely adopted and correctly applied.

The implementation report clearly sets out a range of options to move the framework forwards. 

Standard reporting indicators for territorial authorities:

One of the initial actions identified in the Framework implementation plan was for WasteMINZ to form a Waste Data Working Group.

The first meeting of the Group was held on 16 May 2016. One of the action points of the meeting was to “Identify potential standard reporting indicators”. The identification of standard reporting indicators had been included in the Framework implementation plan as a potential work element that could be undertaken by the Waste Data Working Group.

This document presents a set of reporting indicators that are recommended for use in conjunction with the Framework protocols. Given the central role of TAs in implementing the Framework, the reporting indicators cover the waste streams and services that are of greatest significance to TAs’ involvement in waste management.

• Standard reporting indicators for territorial authorities

More information:

If you have any questions or comments, please contact Paul Evans. We welcome your input.