Resource management (RM) contracting is a partnership between the contracting organization and service provider where both entities benefit from performance based financial incentives to maximizing recycling and waste reduction and save businesses money.  “Solid waste” collection contracting is a thing of the past.  Municipalities and businesses are now thinking about how better to manage all materials that they generate as valuable resources, not just what is considered waste, to achieve cost savings, recycling and sustainability goals, and embrace the zero waste philosophy.  Resource management contracts work in municipalities, businesses, school districts, and other organizations that procure waste and recycling collection services. 

A successful recycling collection program provides an economic incentive to recycle, offers a consistent educational and promotional message to residents and employees, and is easy for people to participate in and understand.  RM contracting can help you build a successful program by incorporating key concepts into your collection contracts.

The best time to implement RM contracting for your municipality, business or other organization is before your service contract is up for renewal or when making other changes to collection services.  As the contracting entity, you should identify current waste and recycling activities and start thinking about other materials and services to include in the contract. 

It is essential to have a good understanding CT’s recycling laws and regulations when contracting for solid waste and recycling services, particularly the responsibilities of different partners like municipalities, collectors, businesses and residents.  Often, state recycling requirements may be added to contracts to help strengthen and clarify responsibilities of the contracting entity and service provider.

The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency outlines the standard practices for resource management contracting, including designing a resource management program, developing specifications and request for proposals, and negotiating contracts.  Through structuring the contract, you can:

Incorporate CT Solid Waste/Recycling Laws and Regulations Into Contracts

Many of CT’s recycling laws and regulations provide good examples of contract language to ensure collection of clean streams of materials and recycling compliance.  Language in resource management contracts can include: Everyone is responsible for ensuring recyclables are collected separately from trash and stay separated per CGS Sec. 22a-241b(e). Collectors are required to notify the municipality of non-compliance with recycling laws and provide warning notice to suspected violators.  Collectors shall also assist the municipality in identifying persons responsible for creating solid waste loads containing significant amounts of recyclables which were detected by the receiving resource recovery or solid waste facility per CGS Sec. 22a-220c(a). Reference “designated recyclables” as defined in CGS Sec. 22a-207 in the necessary contract sections which will ensure that your contractor will be required to separate and recycle current and future designated recyclables (CGS Sec. 22a-241b).

Resource Management Contracting Resources

Resource Management  Standard practices, Innovative Solid Waste Contracting Methods Manual, and other resources (US EPA)

Resource Management Contracting Portal  Sample contracts, case studies and pilot projects (MA DEP)

Solid Waste and Recycling Hauler Resources (CT DEEP)

Guidebook for Implementing Recycling and Pay As You Throw (PAYT) Ordinances, Legislation, or Contracting (Skumatz Economic Research Associates, Inc.)

Pay-As-You-Throw Resources and Information  Sample ordinances, contract language, and regulations for recycling and trash collection (Econservation Institute)

Optimizing Services: Municipal Collection Contracting (DSM Environmental Services)

Collecting Recycling  Article on collection best practices (Resource Recycling)

Hauler Terms and Waste Conversion Factors (Northeast Recycling Council)

Suggested Tips and Language for Recycling Hauling Services Bid Specifications (Northeast Recycling Council)

For more information, contact Jennifer Weymouth at 860-424-3508.