arc21 was formed in 2003 as a local government Joint Committee. Since this time, it has managed over 5m tonnes of its partner councils’ waste and spent upwards of £0.5billion on the provision of private sector services. In the process, it has fundamentally contributed to the development of the resources and waste sector in Northern Ireland.
So, what does arc21 do? arc21 helps, supports and assists its constituent councils to meet their statutory obligations in the field of resources and waste management, waste planning and the delivery of their waste management services. The activities vary in nature and scope and continue to change as the concept of the Circular Economy advances.
At its heart is the development and maintenance of the Waste Management Plan. This sets the strategic blueprint for waste management throughout the arc21 region and it is from this that the work of arc21 flows. It provides a roadmap for the services and facilities which the partner councils are likely to need, along with a timetable. arc21 play a pivotal role in ensuring its partner councils progress with delivering the plan, particularly in respect of these major projects and initiatives.
As a Procurement Authority, the core function of arc21 is to procure appropriate services and waste infrastructure to meet the needs of partner councils in delivering their statutory duties. In addition, arc21 also purchases a range of ancillary supplies such as waste receptacles and kitchen caddies, as well as compostable kitchen caddy liners. Once services or supplies have been procured, arc21 acts as the managing agent for these contracts and performs the important role of contract management and monitoring duties from both a financial and operational perspective on behalf of the partner councils.
In addition to the core and ancillary functions outlined above, arc21 acts as an advocate for the councils in representing their interests and responding to critical policy developments, as well as being an interface for Government departments at a regional and national level. It also provides a two-way contact conduit to/from the private sector and other stakeholders engaging on market developments and new opportunities.
Through its scheduled meetings with officers, arc21 has created a forum for the sharing of knowledge among its partner councils which is a useful mechanism for performance management and internal benchmarking.
The partner councils frequently call upon arc21 for advice and guidance on a plethora of related subjects, which can be provided both through direct experience and knowledge and through having access to a wide range of specialist professional advisors.
arc21 has mapped out its services over the years in a series of Corporate Plans. It’s most recent Plan (2024-28) identifies the Strategic Objectives of arc21, covering 7 distinct areas:
In order to be true to its mission and maintain a focus on the areas that arc21 considers to be most important for its partner councils, its strategic objectives have been selected to deliver against the aims above. In achieving these, arc21 will continue to contribute to furthering resource and waste management practices on behalf of its partner councils as they seek to deliver a Circular Economy for Northern Ireland.