DRY RECYCLING SERVICES
In 2019, arc21 awarded contracts for the receipt, transfer, processing and brokerage of dry recyclable materials. In 2025/26 circa 44,000 tonnes of dry recyclable materials were accepted through these contracts. The current contracts are due to expire at the end of September 2026 and the purpose of conducting this preliminary market engagement is to obtain the views of potential private sector partners on the key issues involved in procuring replacement services for the acceptance, processing (if applicable) and marketing of dry recyclable waste arisings once the current contracts expire. There is the possibility that these replacement contracts may include new core target materials. The dates relating to the contract and extension periods contained within this notice are not fixed and the ultimate contract and extension dates will be informed by this market engagement exercise.
The engagement is intended to help shape arc21's requirements and procurement strategy.
Please note that the market engagement exercise will not seek views on how the waste is collected as this decision falls outside arc21’s remit and rests with each council. It is anticipated that those collection arrangements will continue to vary both between, and on occasions within, council areas.
An Information Memorandum and Questionnaire have been prepared and interested parties are asked to submit responses to the questions posed by 17:00hrs on Monday 11 May 2026 following which those who have participated will have the opportunity to meet with the Authority and their consultants to discuss their response. Further details are provided in the Information Memorandum.
Any interested parties are required to submit their response through the eTendersNI secure messaging area of the Call for Tender (CfT) Ref: 6460104. All correspondence in relation to this Pre-Market Engagement exercise must be communicated via the eTendersNI secure messaging area.
To register on eTendersNI and access the Information Memorandum and Questionnaire, please use the following link https://etendersni.gov.uk and locate CfT Ref: 6460104.
Interested parties should also note that any interest shown does not constitute a commitment to participate in any future tendering exercise.
ORGANIC WASTE TREATMENT SERVICES (closed at 5pm on 17/12/2025)
In 2008, arc21 awarded a contract for the treatment of organic waste and in 2023/24 there was circa 148,000 tonnes of food and garden waste processed through it.
The current contract is due to expire at the end of November 2029 and the purpose of conducting a preliminary market engagement is to obtain the views of potential private sector partners on the key issues involved in procuring and delivering new organic waste treatment contract(s) in the region, to inform the decision-making process in relation to how the organic waste from within the arc21 area is to be treated after the end of the current contract. The engagement is intended to help shape arc21’s requirements and procurement strategy.
An Information Memorandum and Questionnaire have been prepared and interested parties are asked to submit responses to the questions posed by 17:00hrs on Wednesday 17th December 2025 following which those who have participated will have the opportunity to meet with the Authority and their consultants to discuss their response.
Any interested parties are required to submit their response through the eTendersNI secure messaging area of the Call for Tender (CfT) Ref: 6261321. All correspondence in relation to this Pre-Market Engagement exercise must be communicated via the eTendersNI secure messaging area. Interested parties should also note that any interest shown does not constitute a commitment to participate in any future tendering exercise.
Further Information can be found in the Information Memorandum which can be accessed at:
https://etendersni.gov.uk/epps/cft/prepareViewCfTWS.do?resourceId=6261321
Please note that once you access this opportunity on the etendersni.gov.uk portal your organisation will need to express an interest if you wish to receive any notifications or updates, should any be issued.