Our new Waste Arrangement: delivering value for councils and suppliers
Published on 07 October 2025
Across Queensland and the Northern Territory, local governments are grappling with the increasing complexity and cost of waste management. Queensland alone generated nearly 10 million tonnes of waste last year - a 5.4% increase 1. Meanwhile, the Northern Territory continues to report some of the lowest resource recovery rates in the country, consistently below 34% 2.
Councils are under mounting pressure to meet ambitious state and federal targets outlined in the 2024 National Waste Policy Action Plan 3. The policy outlines seven targets to reduce Australia’s waste and improve recovery of resources:
- Ban on export of waste plastic, paper, glass and tyres, commencing in the second half of 2020.
- Reduce total waste generated in Australia by 10% per person by 2030.
- 80% average resource recovery rate from all waste streams following the waste hierarchy, by 2030.
- Significantly increase the use of recycled content by governments and industry.
- Continued phase out of problematic and unnecessary plastics.
- Halve the amount of organic waste sent to landfill for disposal by 2030
- Make comprehensive, economy-wide and timely data publicly available. This will support better consumer, investment and policy decisions.
Meeting these goals is challenging, particularly given the realities on the ground - many councils face ageing infrastructure, rising service delivery costs, and increasing demand for data transparency and environmental accountability.
To support councils in addressing these challenges, Local Buy has launched the LB344 Waste Management & Resource Recovery Arrangement - a pre-qualified procurement Arrangement designed to streamline waste services for councils and public sector entities across Queensland and the Northern Territory.
Benefits for councils
The LB344 Arrangement is more than just a pre-qualified supplier panel - it enables councils to:
- Streamline Procurement: Councils can access a panel of vetted suppliers through a simplified Request for Quote (RFQ) process. This saves time, reduces administrative burden, and ensures compliance with procurement regulations.
- Comprehensive Services: The Arrangement covers a wide range of waste streams, including, but not limited to:
- General waste and recycling
- Hazardous and regulated waste
- Liquid and organic waste
- Construction and demolition waste
- Medical and clinical waste
- E-waste and secure document destruction
- Operational landfill management
This breadth of services allows councils to consolidate their waste management needs under one Arrangement, improving efficiency and oversight.
- Ensure Compliance: Suppliers on the panel must meet stringent requirements under Queensland and Northern Territory legislation, including the Waste Reduction and Recycling Act (Qld), Waste Management and Pollution Control Act (NT), Environmental Protection Acts (Qld & NT), and relevant Australian Standards. This ensures councils are working with providers who understand and adhere to the latest regulatory frameworks.
- Support Local Economies: The Arrangement encourages the use of local and regional suppliers, supporting economic growth and job creation in communities across both states.
- Promote Sustainability and Innovation: Suppliers are expected to provide data on waste life cycles, promote diversion from landfill, and identify opportunities for resource recovery and cost savings. Councils can use this data to track progress toward environmental goals and demonstrate accountability to their communities.
Opportunities for Suppliers
For waste management providers, the LB344 Arrangement offers a gateway to long-term, high-value public sector work:
- Broad Client Access: Visibility to over 77 councils in Queensland, 17 in the Northern Territory, and various government and not-for-profit entities.
- Enhanced Credibility: Pre-qualification of suppliers by Local Buy signals compliance, safety, and service excellence.
- Long-Term Engagement: Initial three-year term from August 2025, with two optional three-year extensions.
- Innovation Encouraged: Suppliers are invited to propose new technologies and methods that enhance sustainability and efficiency.
Enabling a Circular Economy
The LB344 Arrangement supports the transition to a circular economy by reimagining waste as a resource. Councils and suppliers working together under this framework can:
- Reduce environmental impact,
- Improve public health outcomes,
- Create local jobs and industries,
- Deliver better value for ratepayers.
Now Live
Launched 1 August 2025, the LB344 Waste Management & Resource Recovery Arrangement is now live. Councils can start using the panel of pre-qualified suppliers to procure services that are compliant, cost-effective, and environmentally responsible.
Call to Action
As a council or other buying organisation, if you have suppliers that would be valuable on this Arrangement, please reach out to us. Local Buy will work with you to help bring these suppliers on board.
In addition, suppliers will have the opportunity to apply when the Arrangement is released again in November. By becoming a Local Buy pre-qualified supplier, they will be able to access a strong pipeline of opportunities from councils and other buying organisations.
For more information, please contact Local Buy’s Category Manager Sebastian Del Rosso at sdelrosso@localbuy.net.au.