Material recovery facility operators

The key responsibilities of the MRF operator are to:

• ensure each MRF operated by the MRF operator is eligible for claiming processing refunds
• apply and receive approval from the EPA for each MRF that does not have a relevant environment protection licence
• confirm eligibility to claim with Exchange for Change and notify of any changes
• measure input materials and output materials using calibrated and verified equipment.
• seek and receive approval from Exchange for Change if using equipment other than a weighbridge
• measure stock on hand using a methodology agreed by the Scheme Coordinator
• report inputs, outputs and stock on hand to Exchange for Change within the timeframes required
• separate and quarantine Non-Claimable Material. Seek and receive approval from Exchange for Change if using an alternative method of separating Non-Claimable Material
• inform Exchange for Change of the claim method (weight or direct count) that will be used at each of the operator’s MRFs
• apply and receive approval for an Inter-MRF transfer if planning to transport materials to a different MRF operator facility (where relevant circumstances exist)
• make a quarterly claim in accordance with the Act, Regulation and Protocol
• follow the dispute resolution process prescribed in the Protocol.

The EPA’s key responsibilities are to:

• develop, review and publish the Protocol
• develop and publish the Sampling Strategy
• assess and approve or refuse MRF operators that do not hold a relevant environment protection licence or written approval
• assess and approve or refuse eligible container factor applications
• monitor and enforce compliance with the Act, Regulation and Protocol.

Exchange for Change is contracted by the NSW Government to deliver key parts of the Scheme.

The Scheme Coordinator's key responsibilities are to

• interpret and apply the Protocol to determine the refund payable to MRF operators
• determine and publish the eligible container factors for output material types
• manage the Council Agreements Register between NSW local councils and MRFs
• establish and maintain a system for MRF operators to submit information and apply for processing refunds
• assess and approve or refuse MRF operator requests to use measuring equipment other than a weighbridge
• assess and approve or refuse MRF operator requests to use an alternative method of separating Non-Claimable Material
• assess and approve or refuse processing refund claims made by MRF operators against the requirements of the Act, Regulation and the Protocol
• make adjustments to claims based on the requirements in the Act, Regulation and Protocol and any non-compliance
• pay refund amounts for approved claims
• reconcile payments of processing refunds
• receive and review monthly, quarterly and annual reports from MRF operators
• appoint independent auditors to conduct sampling to allow the EPA to calculate the eligible container factor
• develop and implement an audit plan for auditing MRF operators and oversee assurance activities to ensure MRF operators comply with the Protocol
• assess and approve Inter-MRF Transfers
• follow the dispute resolution process prescribed in the Protocol.

Sampling costs are shared by MRF operators based on the formula published in the Protocol. 

• A MRF operator that introduces a new container factor may need to pay additional costs to meet sampling requirements.
• The sampling cost deduction is calculated for the entire quarterly claim period.
• The sampling cost per container is calculated by dividing the total cost incurred by the Scheme Coordinator to undertake the sampling for the quarterly claim period by the total estimated number of eligible containers recycled by MRF operators making a claim, or delivered to a recycling facility in Australia or consigned for transport to a recycling facility in a foreign country during that quarterly claim period.