The provision of recycling and waste collection services including destruction of confidential wastepaper from Shropshire Council owned/run sites

THIS IS NOT A CALL FOR COMPETITION. THIS IS A MARKET ENGAGEMENT.
Description: Preliminary Market Engagement (PME) Notice for the provision of recycling and waste collection services including destruction of confidential wastepaper from Shropshire Council owned/run sites
The purpose of this Preliminary Market Engagement Notice is to assist the Council in developing the authority’s requirements and approach to the procurement. Particularly in relation to the themes addressed within the PME questionnaire.
The main objectives of the preliminary market engagement will be to initiate an exchange with the market to consider the Council’s proposals across specific themes related to maintaining high standards of service and whilst advancing the Council’s strategic priorities.
The procurement will cover the provision of recycling and residual waste collection services, together with the secure destruction of confidential wastepaper, where instructed, from Shropshire Council owned and/or operated properties across the County of Shropshire.
The fundamental objective of the procurement will be to secure a reliable, efficient, and compliant waste management service capable of meeting the diverse operational needs of the Council’s estate. This includes the consistent delivery of recycling services, the lawful collection and disposal of residual waste, and the secure handling and destruction of confidential wastepaper, as required.
Through the delivery of this requirement the Council expects to place a strong emphasis on adherence to the waste hierarchy, prioritising waste prevention, reuse, and recycling above treatment and disposal. Contractors are therefore expected to support the Council’s wider environmental, sustainability, and resource-efficiency objectives, and to work collaboratively with the Council to maximise recycling performance and reduce waste arisings wherever practicable.
The new contract will play a key role in maintaining Shropshire’s public spaces as clean, safe, and welcoming environments, supporting the Council’s long-term sustainability and environmental objectives.
The Council’s expectation is that a longer-term, single supplier contract will provide greater value for money for the council in terms of financial efficiencies, but also staff resourcing, consistency of service provision. The Council envisage that this, in turn, will create the conditions for the contract’s outcomes to align with wider Council sustainability, social, and environmental objectives
Indicative scope of contract
The collection programme shall comprise weekly or fortnightly scheduled collections of
commercial waste from Shropshire Council owned and/or operated properties, as determined by the operational requirements of each site, (for indicative purposes currently numbering 35 operating sites).
The Contractor will be required to ensure that waste streams are appropriately segregated and collected separately, including (but not limited to) the following service outputs:
•Dry-Mixed Recycling:
• Wastepaper and cardboard
• Metals
• Plastics
• Glass
•Residual (non-recyclable) waste
•Collection and Destruction of Confidential Waste
•Collection of Food Waste
•Potential additional services required by the Council, such as the Collection of WEEE (Waste Electrical and Electronic Equipment)
Collections will be required to be undertaken in accordance with the waste hierarchy, best practice in waste management, and all applicable UK legislation and guidance. The Council require that the Contractor will be responsible for ensuring that all services are delivered in a manner that prevents harm to human health and the environment for the full duration of the contract, including during collection, transportation, treatment, and final disposal.
From time to time, additional or ad-hoc collections may be required due to increased waste arisings, operational demands, or exceptional circumstances.
Collection Frequency and Service Periods
The Contractor must be capable of scheduling collections over 20, 40, or 52 weeks per year, as specified by each individual property. Collection frequencies and service levels must be flexible and capable of adjustment to reflect seasonal demand, operational changes, or service reviews, subject to agreement with the Council.
Procurement
The Council anticipates commencing the procurement process in June 2026, with the new contract expected to commence in November 2026, subject to Council approval and market engagement outcomes.