A "material recovery facility operator" (MRF) means:
- a person who carries on a business that is or includes the processing for reuse or recycling of domestic waste designated for recycling and collected by that or any other person during the course of domestic waste management services and who:
- holds an environment protection licence under the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 authorising the processing of the waste (otherwise than by thermal treatment) at specified premises, or
- is approved in writing by the EPA as a material recovery facility operator for the purposes of this Part, or
- any other person of a class prescribed by the regulations.
MRF Processing Refund Protocol
Under section 28 of the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery Act 2001, the Scheme Coordinator, on receiving a valid processing refund claim, is required to pay processing refunds to MRF operators for the containers they collect. A Protocol (PDF 1.2MB) has been developed which sets out the methodology to be applied in determining the amounts payable to MRF operators as processing refunds.
Under the Protocol, MRFs have two options for claiming a refund for the containers they process:
- Weight: MRFs can estimate the number of eligible containers that they send offsite for reuse or recycle, using weights of material types multiplied by the eligible container factor.
- Direct count: MRFs can count each eligible container that they send offsite for reuse or recycle.
MRF operators need to register to make a claim; see the registration section below for details.
Inter-MRF Transfers
The EPA has made an update to the Protocol, which was gazetted on Friday 7 February 2020. This key change will allow for MRF Operators to claim processing refunds for unprocessed materials received from other MRF Operators if certain criteria is fulfilled in line with the requirements of the Scheme Coordinator, Exchange for Change.
This update will become effective from the Quarter 1 2020 period, and any claims for transferred material will need to follow all the rules outlined in the updated Protocol.
More guidelines and information on Inter-MRF Transfers can be found under Section 8 of the MRF Protocol (PDF 348KB).
If you wish to claim an Inter-MRF Transfer, please email Exchange for Change at info@exchangeforchange.com.au to request an application form.
MRFs claiming inter-MRF transfer material will need to meet the requirements of the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery (Container Deposit Scheme) Regulation 2017 cl 18 (2). Councils may need to enter into refund sharing agreements with additional MRF Operators and notify the EPA in order to meet these obligations.
Further planned changes to the Protocol will be consulted with industry prior to finalisation which is scheduled for early 2020. Should Councils or MRF Operators have any concerns, they can be raised during the consultation process.
Eligible Container Factor
The eligible container factors are state-wide averages of the number of eligible containers in each kilogram of a material type (eg glass or PET). These factors are calculated by an independent statistician, using sampling data collected from MRFs, and kerbside audits conducted in accordance with the Sampling Strategy. The factors will be published quarterly by the EPA.
There is an eligible container factor for each of the following material types:
- Aluminium.
- PET segregated.
- HDPE segregated.
- Mixed segregated: For MRFs which segregate PET and HDPE plastic types, this category refers to the remaining plastic types, in aggregate.
- Mixed combined: This category applies to MRFs which do not segregate plastic types, and refers to all plastic types, aggregated.
- Glass.
If MRFs have chosen to use the ‘weight’ method for claiming a refund on eligible containers, they will need to weigh the nominated material type, and use the Eligible Container Factor to calculate how many containers they have sent offsite for reuse or recycle, based on this weight.
The eligible container factors for 2018 and 2019 of the NSW Container Deposit Scheme were developed in accordance with the MRF Protocol Sampling Strategy. Previously the eligible container factors were approved by the CDS Ministerial Advisory Committee (MAC). However, as of quarter 2 2019 the eligible container factors are approved by the State Representative. Approval dates are stated in the table under each quarter.
The eligible container factor for glass is to be used for calculating refunds under the The Bottle Crushing Service Operator Processing Refund Protocol (PDF 521KB).
Eligible container factors January to December 2019
(Count eligible per kilogram by material stream)
| Factor (eligible ct / kg) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Quarter 1 Jan - Mar |
Quarter 2 April - June |
Quarter 3 July - Sept |
Quarter 4 Oct - Dec |
|
Aluminium |
51.83 |
47.38 |
45.98 |
51.25 |
|
PET segregated |
14.26 |
12.19 |
10.39 |
10.67 |
|
HDPE segregated |
0.51 |
0.41 |
0.42 |
0.29 |
|
Mixed Plastics segregated |
2.56 |
2.16 |
3.29 |
1.96 |
|
Mixed Plastics combined |
4.18 |
4.13 |
3.57 |
3.84 |
|
Glass |
1.28 |
1.02 |
0.97 |
1.18 |
|
Approved 13 May 2019 |
Approved 12 August 2019 | Approved 12 November 2019 | Approved 12 February 2020 | |
Eligible container factors December 2017 to December 2018
(Count eligible per kilogram by material stream)
| Factor (eligible ct / kg) | ||||
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Material | Quarter 1 Dec 2017 - Mar 2018 |
Quarter 2 April - June 2018 |
Quarter 3 July- Sept 2018 |
Quarter 4 Oct - Dec 2018 |
|
Aluminium
|
59.17
|
58.11 | 48.73 | 50.36 |
|
PET segregated
|
18.96
|
13.90 | 12.69 | 13.3 |
|
HDPE segregated
|
0.69
|
0.64 | 0.43 | 0.52 |
|
Mixed segregated
|
3.62
|
2.83 | 2.82 | 2.62 |
|
Mixed combined
|
8.74
|
5.44 | 4.70 | 4.06 |
|
Glass
|
2.25 |
1.83 | 1.57 | 1.77 |
|
Approved 24 April 2018 |
Approved 10 August 2018 |
Approved 5 November 2018 |
Approved 31 January 2019 |
|
MRF Processing Refund Protocol Sampling Strategy
This sampling strategy (PDF 1.6MB) sets out the theory and methodology for the development of the associated MRF sampling plan, which is then implemented to generate the data for the development of the eligible container factors, as referred to in the MRF Protocol (July 2017).
MRF operator registration
Operators wishing to claim under the MRF or Bottle Crushing Protocol need to register with the EPA 28 days prior to the commencement of the quarter in which they wish to claim.
Email MRF.Protocol@epa.nsw.gov.au
Information for auditors
All MRF operators must complete the NSW Container Deposit Scheme – Information for Auditors Form. This form will provide sampling auditors with the necessary information to ensure that during facility visits by auditors, the collection, sorting and counting of samples is safe, efficient, and minimises the impact on the operation of the facility.
The EPA does not currently have a recommended list of registered auditors deemed appropriate for the Independent Assurance Report. The EPA recommends that you engage an independent assurance practitioner that meets the requirements listed under section 10.3 (9.3 for Bottle Crushers) (b) (i) or (ii) as soon as possible.
Double counting
If you make a claim under the MRF Protocol for a particular output material type, you cannot remove eligible containers of that same material type from the MRF and redeem them at a collection point – this is considered double counting. Double counting is a serious offence and significant penalties apply.
Bottle Crushing Service Operators Processing Refund Protocol
While bottle crushing service operators are prescribed as MRF operators under the Waste Avoidance and Resource Recovery (Container Deposit Scheme) Regulation 2017, the MRF Protocol does not apply to them.
The Bottle Crushing Service Operator Processing Refund Protocol (PDF 521KB) allows these operators to claim processing refunds for the eligible containers they collect. The Protocol sets out the methodology to be applied in determining amounts payable as processing refunds and requirements for record keeping and auditing.
Alternative Waste Treatment Facilities
The EPA has released the Draft Alternative Waste Treatment (AWT) Processing Refund Protocol for consultation. The AWT protocol sets out how AWT operators can claim processing refunds under the Container Deposit Scheme for eligible containers they collect and recycle. The protocol sets out the methodology to be applied in determining amounts payable as processing refunds and requirements for record keeping and auditing. Download the Draft Alternative Waste Treatment Facility Processing Refund Protocol (PDF 589KB) and the Container Deposit Scheme - Alternative Waste Treatment Plant Operator Protocol Factsheet (PDF 141KB).
Submissions in relation to the Draft Protocol closed on 7 February 2019.
Reporting and change applications
Monthly reporting
Operators must report
(1) The total output material type (excluding any ‘Scheme material’) delivered from the MRF for reuse or recycling
(2) The total measured weight of ‘Scheme material’ delivered from the MRF by output material type
Submit via the reporting portal within 14 days after the end of each month.
MRF annual recycling statement
An Annual Recycling Statement must be submitted on the MRF annual recycling statement (XLSX 58KB) for each MRF within 60 calendar days of the end of each year ended 30 June.
See Guidance notes (PDF 116KB)
Submit to
Bottle Crushers annual recycling statement
An Annual Recycling Statement must be submitted on the Bottle Crushers annual recycling statement (XLSX 60KB) within 60 calendar days of the end of each year ended 30 June.
See Guidance notes (PDF 114KB)
Submit to
Apply to change the nominated claim method
Complete and submit MRF claim method nomination form (DOCX 84KB) at least 28 calendar days before the commencement of the quarter for which the changed method will be used.
Submit to MRF.Protocol@epa.nsw.gov.au
Apply to have a new output material type assessed for inclusion in the list of material types
Complete and submit MRF output material type assessment form (DOCX 74KB) at least 28 calendar days before the commencement of the first quarter that a processing refund claim for the new output material will be lodged.
Submit to MRF.Protocol@epa.nsw.gov.au
