Reuse Services for a Local Circular Economy

BACKGROUND
The mission of the Department of Recycling and Materials Management (TCRMM) is to develop and implement a sustainable materials management strategy for Tompkins County. With a focus on the state’s solid waste management hierarchy, this approach utilizes and prioritizes environmentally sound, cost-effective, socially responsible, and safe practices.

For many years, the department has supported reuse programming and infrastructure in the community. Following the recent development of a draft local solid waste management plan, the department is seeking to support enhanced reuse infrastructure in the community and foster a local circular economy that applies a systems approach to materials management. In a circular economy, systems are developed to ensure that materials are used for their highest value for as long as possible, with end?products becoming inputs for new systems. This approach will further activity for reducing waste generation, increasing reuse and recovery, and ultimately decreasing disposal, now and in the future.

PLEASE NOTE: 

TCRMM anticipates awarding approximately $190,000 annually for three years, which may be split among two or more providers at the sole discretion of the department. TCRMM is proceeding with this request for proposals with the understanding that the County Legislature may or may not approve budgeted funding for this program. Although significant changes are not anticipated, the conditions and standards applied to the potential appropriation have not

to understand opportunities to grow and further support the community in this area. A component of this project been established and may impact the design and implementation of the local program. TCRMM may modify or decline to make awards based on the availability of funds.

PURPOSE OF REQUEST

The intent of these specifications is to furnish information to prospective bidders in order to obtain proposals for reuse services that foster a local circular economy, keeping valuable materials out of the landfill and in the community for reuse. TCRMM recognizes the importance of local infrastructure to recirculate reusable items and is interested will entail research to understand the potential for a reuse distribution facility. This represents an initial step in understanding needs, parameters, and potential structure for such a facility and does not commit the County to the creation of such a facility.  

This project will provide financial resources to an in-county project focused on location-appropriate strategies that support reuse infrastructure and that has a significant impact on diverting material from the waste stream. Proposals are encouraged from for-profit, not-for-profit organizations, and local governments.

Proposers are encouraged to develop an innovative approach consistent with the objectives of the project that will establish an equivalent or better final project result; to that end, alternative methods, steps or components may be submitted for consideration.