Paper and Card Processing Services

Kent County Council (KCC), as the Waste Disposal Authority, has a statutory responsibility to arrange for the disposal of paper and card collected at kerbside by the Waste Collection Authorities, and for paper and card deposited by residents at Household Waste Recycling Centres. Existing contracts are due to expire on 30 November 2026. This procurement seeks to establish new countywide contractual arrangements commencing on 1 December 2026. Through its contracts with third party waste transfer providers, KCC will deliver material to the provider’s processing facility. The appointed provider will be responsible for the reception, handling, storage, and processing of all paper and card received under the contract, ensuring full compliance with environmental, regulatory and quality standards. KCC is currently achieving a landfill diversion rate of 99%, with all separately collected paper and card being recycled rather than disposed of. This performance is supported by an established network of transfer and processing arrangements, ensuring materials are directed to appropriate recycling facilities. Output materials must meet relevant industry standards for recycled paper and board, including EN643 for recovered paper, and must be suitable for reprocessing into new paper products. Providers must also comply with all applicable quality protocols and end of waste criteria. The provider must maintain a comprehensive reporting and audit trail for all materials processed, from receipt through to final destination, and supply accurate and timely data to KCC to support performance monitoring and statutory reporting requirements. No paper and card managed under this contract may be disposed of at landfill. All material must be recycled or otherwise recovered in accordance with the waste hierarchy and KCC’s zero to landfill objective. The estimated contract volume is approximately 30,000 tonnes per annum. This figure is indicative only and no minimum tonnage guarantee is provided. This procurement will comprise a single lot. The initial contract term will be five years, with the option to extend for up to two further years, subject to performance and mutual agreement.