The NSW Recycled content reporting guide explains how agencies that report under the Net Zero Government Operations (NZGO) Policy must preference and report on recycled content in products they procure. These requirements sit under Action 22 of the NZGO Policy, which aims to reduce emissions and drive the transition to a circular economy.
NSW Recycled content reporting template
Agencies use this template when the requirement to report on recycled content in products is triggered. Provide it to suppliers as part of tender documentation to collect consistent information on recycled content. Agencies should also use this template to aggregate supplier data for annual reporting purposes.
Annual statement of compliance on recycled content template
Agencies use this template to complete annual NZGO Policy reporting on recycled content. The statement should summarise how your agency applied the preferencing and reporting requirements across a financial year.
Supplier recycled content plan (SRCP) template
Send this template to suppliers with your tender documentation. It provides a structured way for a supplier to explain what recycled content they will supply, how they'll do it, and what they'll report during the contract.
Recycled content requirements
There are two key requirements that apply to eligible procurements and purchases from 1 July 2026.
Requirement 1 — Recycled content preferencing
Agencies must preference products with recycled content on an ‘if not, why not’ basis.
Eligible tenders are those that:
- are released to market on or after 1 July 2026
- have an estimated total contract value of $1 million or more (ex GST)
- fall within one of the listed procurement categories (Table 1)
How to comply:
Agencies must submit an Annual statement of compliance on recycled content to the NSW Department of Climate Change, Energy, the Environment and Water (DCCEEW) by 31 October each year.
Requirement 2 — Recycled content data collection and reporting
Agencies must collect data and report on the recycled content used in specific product categories.
Eligible purchases are either:
- purchases of a reportable product/s (see Table 1) made under a customer contract or similar arrangement that:
- is executed on or after 1 July 2026
- have an estimated total contract value of $1 million (ex GST) or above
- purchases made directly through existing whole-of-government head contracts and arrangements (see Table 2), where the purchase:
- occurs on or after 1 July 2026
- includes purchase of a reportable product/s (see Table 1)
- is a value of $100,000 (ex GST) or more per order.
In-scope procurement categories and reportable products
The requirements apply to 5 procurement categories that encompass 21 reportable products detailed in the table below.
Table 1: Procurement categories and reportable products
| Category | Reportable products |
|---|---|
| Furniture and fit outs |
|
| Information and communication technology (ICT) hardware |
|
| Medical equipment and consumables |
|
| Office supplies |
|
| Textiles |
|
Purchasing through whole-of-government contracts
Table 2 lists the relevant whole-of-government (WofG) contracts and the managing agency impacted by the recycled content requirements.
These contracts are captured by the requirements as they represent a significant volume of purchases in the targeted categories.
WofG and whole-of-health (WofH) arrangements must support agencies in meeting their recycled content obligations under the NZGO Policy. This may occur at any time, including during the renewal process of existing WofG arrangements.
Table 2: Relevant whole-of-government contracts
| Contract number | Contract name | Managing agency |
|---|---|---|
| 771 | Office and Education Furniture contract | Department of Education |
| 281 | Multimedia Solutions Contract | Department of Education |
| 201 | Office Supplies Contract | Department of Education |
| 9827 | Print and Imaging Devices and Services | Digital Strategy Sourcing and Assurance (Department of Customer Service) |
| 9826 | ICT End User Devices and Services Contract | Digital Strategy Sourcing and Assurance (Department of Customer Service) |
*Note that Table 2 does not include the relevant WofH contracts that are affected under the medical equipment and consumables procurement category.
Is your procurement eligible?
Answer the questions below to determine if and which recycled content requirements apply to your procurement. This tool will guide you through whether your purchase triggers Requirement 1, Requirement 2 or both.
Key dates and milestones
The information below shows how the policy, preferencing, and reporting requirements are deliberately phased, and what is expected of you.
-
2025: Policy launched
- The NZGO Policy commences.
- Agencies are expected to understand the Policy requirements and prepare.
- No recycled content reporting is required yet, but the direction is set.
-
2026: Preferencing recycled content begins
- From 1 July 2026, agencies must preference recycled content when buying goods in the identified procurement categories.
-
2026-27: First reporting year
- 1 July 2026 to 30 June 2027 is the first reporting period.
- Agencies start collecting recycled content data.
-
2027: Reports due
- Recycled content reporting for 2026-27 is submitted as part of the annual NZGO reporting cycle.
- Reports are due by 31 October 2027.
Frequently asked questions
Please see our frequently asked questions about the NSW Recycled content reporting guide.
Contact the Choose Circular team for more information
Email: [email protected]