Recycling Services

RFP Purpose

This Request for Proposal (RFP) is an invitation by the University to prospective Vendors (Proponents) to submit proposals for the recycling management (Services) for all of our three (3) campus locations as outlined in Appendix F – Detailed Scope of Services, for a term of three (3) years with the option to extend for one (1) additional two (2) year period at mutual consent (total of 5 years).

Objectives

Recycling is a key component to achieving the University’s goal of becoming a zero-waste campus. The University of Ottawa is a leader within the education sector and had a waste diversion rate of 61% in 2022-2023. With over 325 indoor and 60 outdoor public recycling centers around campus, recycling in offices and food services, as well as recycling programs in all 11 residence buildings, the University has a requirement for regular collection and recycling of waste materials in 30+ sites.
The University’s main waste system is four streams consisting of 1) Glass, Metal and Plastic, hereafter referred to as GMP, 2) mixed paper/cardboard, hereafter referred to as Cardboard, 3) waste and 4) compost. The recycling, ie GMP and Cardboard are two separated streams in order to help reduce contamination and landfilling at the transfer station. The University’s in-house maintenance crews collect materials from offices, recycling stations, and totes and bring the separately bagged materials to front-load containers, and in a very few cases, to totes. In some residences students will dispose of materials directly into the front load container or tote.
The objectives of the University, through a collaborative relationship with the Successful Proponent, are to reduce contamination, stabilize prices throughout the contract, and ensure all non-residue materials are recycled. We have several initiatives to reduce contamination, including better color-coding, better signage, regular meetings with the Successful Proponent, and regularly required audits. We wish to work collaboratively with the Successful Proponent to ensure only acceptable materials are being put into the recycling stream and promoted as 'recyclable' on campus.

Scope of Service

The Successful Proponent will offer the necessary recycling containers for GMP and Cardboard separately and will collect and process these materials so that all non-residue materials are recycled. The Successful Proponent will collect both bagged and loose recyclable materials in containers according to the schedule provided by the University. These containers should be ranging in size from 2 yard to 8 yard, as well as 95-gallon totes, as specified by the University.
The University will provide the Successful Proponent with the calendar of scheduled pick-up dates which will be reduced over the winter holidays and over the summer. The bid form outlines two estimated schedules, one for regular campus activity, September-April, and one for the summer months, May to August. This schedule may however change at any time, either increasing in frequency or decreasing in frequency, depending on the needs of the University and each site.

Bidding and Documents are available on http://www.merx.com. Fees may apply; See https://www.merx.com/public/pricing for more information.