Measurement and Modelling of Waste Composition in England

Tender description

Defra wishes to update its data on the composition of mixed waste and use the updated information, as well as wider insights, to develop a predictive model. The waste composition fieldwork will cover mixed municipal and non-municipal wastes from up to 50 waste and recycling streams. Representative samples of waste from each stream will be sampled and sorted into materials/items using a category list supplied by Defra. Each material category sampled and sorted will be weighed. Data will be scaled up to tonnages using the EWC/LoW codes. A model will be developed using this data and a package of work investigating the drivers of waste composition. Lot 1: Develop a model to predict and forecast waste composition for all EWC/LoW codes, based on extensive new data gathering Lot 1 is divided into four packages of work (WPs), with design and reporting included within each. Overall project management should be shown as a separate package of work (i.e. WP5). o WP 1 covers the collection of new primary data using scientific measurement methods, often referred to as ‘waste composition analysis.’ It also includes gathering and collating secondary data. o WP 2 involves desk-based and potentially primary research into the drivers of waste composition. o WP 3 combines the outputs of WPs 1 and 2 to create a predictive model. o WP 4 reviews the approaches used in the project, looks forward, to new methods of generating measurement-based data on the composition of waste, and makes recommendations for future programmes of work, including anything that may be needed for delivering our collection and packaging reforms (DRS, EPR and consistency). o WP5 is for management activities. Additional information: Suppliers may bid for one or both Lots. Lot 1 will be evaluated first. Bids for Lot 2 from suppliers unsuccessful in Lot 1 will be combined with those bidding only for Lot 2 and will go forwards for evaluation. We have taken this approach to enable the Lot 2 supplier to be in contract in time for the start of the fieldwork required in Lot 1. Lot 2: Fieldwork quality assurance Lot 2 is to appoint a fieldwork quality auditor. The successful supplier will be responsible for assuring that delivery of the fieldwork is in line with the quality assurance standards set out by the successful Lot 1 contractor.