Planning

Waste reduction behaviour change targeted programme

ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL

This public procurement record has 1 release in its history.

Planning

16 Jan 2026 at 11:00

UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Summary of the contracting process

Essex County Council is currently in the planning stage of a tender titled "Waste reduction behaviour change targeted programme" aimed at environmental services. This programme encompasses projects focusing on food recycling across various household types and regions within Essex, including urban and rural districts. The procurement category is services, with associated categories such as refuse, waste-related, and environmental services. The procurement process is above-threshold and available for SMEs, with the implementation period spanning from 1st September 2026 to 31st December 2027. A market engagement deadline is set for 5th February 2026, offering potential bidders the opportunity to engage and respond to relevant queries.

This tender presents significant growth opportunities for businesses with expertise in waste management, environmental services, or logistical operations in the service industry. Companies that provide post and courier services or have the capability to handle refuse and waste services will find this tender suitable. Small and medium-sized enterprises can particularly benefit from participating, thanks to the tender's emphasis on their suitability. The project’s long duration and comprehensive scope across Essex’s various districts offer sustained work and the potential for expansion into broader waste management and recycling services.

How relevant is this notice?

Notice Information

Notice Title

Waste reduction behaviour change targeted programme

Notice Description

This tender will cover 3 projects: Project 1: Food Recycling Houses (Sept-Nov 2026, AND Sept-Nov 2027) The Supplier will be required to deliver a package to c348,000 (year 1, raising to c396,000 for year 2) target households in Essex. This would be across 9 districts with a mix of urban and rural addresses. This package includes delivering a roll of food caddy liners and an information leaflet through each door and applying a 'no food waste' bin sticker (or equivalent) to the wheeled residual waste bin. The Waste Collection Authority (WCA) 'Round' data will inform the days/times when the wheeled residual waste bins are presented for kerbside collection and therefore, when the package can be correctly delivered and stickers added to the presented wheeled residual waste bins. The food waste recycling intervention should in no way interfere with the crews working to collect on their waste collection rounds. Ideally, stickering should occur in good time ahead of the waste collection service. The Supplier must also have their own means of transport to distribute the package to agreed households and transport their teams around the relevant areas ahead of the waste collection service. Project 2: Food Recycling non-users (included above, following on from Project 1, can only be started once project 1 is completed) A letter (in envelope) delivered to households who do not present a food recycling caddy. Up to 170,000 households across Essex. Households will be identified via either: - Option 1 Supplier walking route and delivering to households without a food bin presented o OR - Option 2 WCA monitor presentation and provide Supplier with list of addresses that need to receive the letter Project 3: Flats food and dry recycling (September 2026 to December 2027) ECC will work with all 12 WCAs and the Supplier to deliver a package to the doors of residents in flats. The project will be split up by district. Each district project will have its own timeline, agreed delivery period, and milestone payment schedule. This project will cover up to 93,000 flats. The Supplier will be required to deliver the package: a roll of food caddy liners, an information leaflet, and other items to be agreed with each WCA but possibly including a caddy and/or a re-usable bag for dry recycling.

Planning Information

If you would like to engage in our market engagement, please find below a link that will take you to our questions https://forms.office.com/e/zYsxYstg4x

Notice Details

Publication & Lifecycle

Open Contracting ID
ocds-h6vhtk-06076e
Publication Source
Find A Tender Service
Latest Notice
https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/003796-2026
Current Stage
Planning
All Stages
Planning

Procurement Classification

Notice Type
UK2 - Preliminary Market Engagement Notice
Procurement Type
Standard
Procurement Category
Services
Procurement Method
Not Specified
Procurement Method Details
Not specified
Tender Suitability
SME
Awardee Scale
Not specified

Common Procurement Vocabulary (CPV)

CPV Divisions

64 - Postal and telecommunications services

90 - Sewage, refuse, cleaning and environmental services

CPV Codes

64100000 - Post and courier services

90500000 - Refuse and waste related services

90700000 - Environmental services

Notice Value(s)

Tender Value
Not specified
Lots Value
Not specified
Awards Value
Not specified
Contracts Value
Not specified

Notice Dates

Publication Date
16 Jan 20263 days ago
Submission Deadline
Not specified
Future Notice Date
5 Feb 20263 weeks to go
Award Date
Not specified
Contract Period
31 Aug 2026 - 31 Dec 2027 1-2 years
Recurrence
Not specified

Notice Status

Tender Status
Planning
Lots Status
Planning
Awards Status
Not Specified
Contracts Status
Not Specified

Buyer & Supplier

Contracting Authority (Buyer)

Main Buyer
ESSEX COUNTY COUNCIL
Contact Name
Not specified
Contact Email
wasteservice.procurement@essex.gov.uk
Contact Phone
Not specified

Buyer Location

Locality
CHELMSFORD
Postcode
CM1 1QH
Post Town
Chelmsford
Country
England
Major Region (ITL 1)
TLH East (England)
Basic Region (ITL 2)
TLH3 Essex
Small Region (ITL 3)
TLH36 Heart of Essex
Delivery Location
TLH East (England)
Local Authority
Chelmsford
Electoral Ward
Moulsham and Central
Westminster Constituency
Chelmsford

Further Information

Notice Documents

Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS)

View full OCDS Record for this contracting process

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The Open Contracting Data Standard (OCDS) is a framework designed to increase transparency and access to public procurement data in the public sector. It is widely used by governments and organisations worldwide to report on procurement processes and contracts. 

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