Advantages and disadvantages of using one contractor

It may be possible to select one contractor to take the majority of waste from an institution and be responsible for the recycling component as well. This is more likely to be larger companies which have developed a facility and outlet for recycled materials. The waste contractor will act as co-ordinator for the provision of recycling facilities for the institution, arrange for uplift of recyclables and collection of non-recyclables. The main advantages of this method are that, by dealing with one organisation, co-ordination should be better, administration should be reduced or simplified, there would be fewer people involved, and financial recording of charges and income should be simpler. In addition, due to economies of scale, the contractor may have greater influence over the recycling market, so reducing the likelihood of recycling collections stopping if the market price drops.

Potential limitations of this method are that larger contractors may only offer a restricted recycling service and, after initiation of the project, may be unwilling to extend the recycling list to the less commonly recycled materials. This would leave the institution with no choice but to seek an alternative contractor or additional recycling contractors.

Alternatively, companies may subcontract elements of a large contract where they do not have the capacity/expertise to deliver all that is required. You must consider how comfortable you are with this kind of arrangement and be sure that you have confidence in the arrangements made, including compliance of subcontractors with Duty of Care requirements.

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Advantages and disadvantages of using one contractor

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