LAWR

January 2015 Local Authority Waste & Recycling 11 TEEP lects materials mixed together and can show that the same amount, or more, of the material is recycled to the same, or higher quality standards as if they undertook separate collec- tions (the 'necessity test'); or there are technical, environmental or economic reasons why separate collections are not practicable (the 'TEEP test'), then it is not necessary to introduce sepa- rate collections of materials. Along with my team at LRS, I have been running a series of road- shows and training workshops for local authorities and their contrac- tors, since December 2013, and the feedback we have received is that the opportunity to openly discuss the potential impacts of TEEP, looking at recycling collection systems from both the authority and the contrac- tor's perspectives is hugely valuable. We think that a key part of doing a TEEP evaluation is to consider it in terms of the procurement cycle and when and where decision-making should take place. My recommendation is that for authorities in the pre-procurement stage, it is essential to set the author- ity's overall 'direction of travel' and to brief elected members and officers from relevant other departments on the potential implications of TEEP. During this stage, authorities should review performance data that is available from all previous recy- cling collection services and informa- tion that is available from the market to enable modelling of future options and possible performance improve- ments that could be made. All considerations in the lead up to procurement activities should be framed in terms of whether it is 'nec- essary' for separate collections and whether it would be Technically, Environmentally and Economically Practical (TEEP) to have separate col- lections. Once in the procurement process, the risk of challenge over the recycling system adopted cannot be transferred to contractors. Service specifications and cost models should be estab- lished, based on the pre-procurement research and authorities may want to consider letting services in 'lots' and or considering 'variant bids' from con- tractors to see how the market best responds to the TEEP requirements. Authorities should consider how transparency will be developed and maintained to provide a clear under- standing of operational data. TEEP requirements are part of the framework for management during the contract and the development of common goals, which are shared between the contractor and the authority, and which focus on improv- ing quality and increasing quantity of recycling. Collaborative working can result in innovation which in turn drives performance and moves waste up the management hierarchy. Collection service procurement is not the only procurement of impor- tance: procuring MRF services, bins and vehicles all need to take the issues relating to TEEP into account, together with the wider aim of mov- ing towards a recycling society. Having evidence of a robust decision making process and an understanding of the link between the procurement cycles and meeting the requirements of the new regulations cannot be underestimated. Authorities should engage all relevant stakeholders and I would encourage any that hasn't started this process yet to do so as a matter of urgency; despite the TEEP requirements, service reviews make good business sense. Geoff Green is principal consultant at LRS Consultancy LRS Consultancy's Geoff Green

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