Contract details and KPIs for paper & cardboard recycling
Received 14 April 2026
Under the Freedom of Information Act, I would like to request the following information regarding paper and cardboard recycling in your borough:
• What are the contractual performance KPI's for this contract?
• Suppliers who applied for inclusion on each framework/contract and were successful & not successful at the PQQ & ITT stages
• Who is the current supplier?
• Actual spend on this contract/framework (and any sub lots), from the start of the contract to the current date?
• Are there any processing facilities or MRFs utilised within the contract if so what the names and addresses?
• How is your fibre processed (baled or loose)?
• Where is the end destination of the fibre?
• What is your current collection method (dual stream, single source, kerbside sort or comingled) • What tonnage per year do you produce by fibre grade?
• Start date & duration of framework/contract?
• Could you please provide a copy of the service/product specification given to all bidders for when this contract was last advertised?
• Is there an extension clause in the framework(s)/contract(s) and, if so, the duration of the extension?
• Has a decision been made yet on whether the framework(s)/contract(s) are being either extended or renewed?
• Who is the senior officer (outside of procurement) responsible for this contract?
• Are there any plans to change the existing service?
Responded 12 May 2026
• Please find contract attached. Commercially sensitive information has been redacted under Section 43 – Commercially Sensitive (please see refusal notice below).
• Information Refused Under Section 43 – Commercially Sensitive (please see refusal notice below)
• Biffa Waste Services Ltd
• Available on our website: https://eastcambs.gov.uk/about-council/financial-information/transactions-over-ps500
• This is contained within the contract.
• Baled
• Depends on the market, this can be found for required periods on waste data flow: https://www.wastedataflow.org/Register.aspx
• Comingled
• This can be found for the required period on waste data flow
• As per copy of the contract
• This can be found here: https://www.find-tender.service.gov.uk/Notice/015412-2024
• See contract copy given
• No
• Head of Waste and Environmental Services
• No
The Council considers that the requested information falls within the Environmental Information Regulations (“EIR”), which relate to information on activities affecting or likely to affect the elements and factors of the environment.
The Council believes that exception 12(5)(e) set out in the EIR is engaged in respect of your request and this is detailed below.
In respect of those requests that are answered in full, partially or the total refused, please take this as notice under EIR, that we:
a) Consider the information as excepted from disclosure under the Act;
b) Claim exception under sections of the Act:
Section 12(5)(e) of the Environmental Information Regulations 2004
c) State why the exception applies
12. (5) For the purposes of paragraph (1)(a), a public authority may refuse to disclose information to the extent that its disclosure would adversely affect (e) the confidentiality of commercial or industrial information where such confidentiality is provided by law to protect a legitimate economic interest.
We confirm that we hold the information requested. As Section 12(5)(e) is a qualified exception, we, the authority, must consider the balance of public interest in the circumstances of the request.
Arguments in favour of disclosing the information
• Promote accountability and transparency for the Council’s decisions and in its spending of public money.
• Assist the public to understand and challenge our decisions.
• Enable the public to better scrutinise the public monies spent to ensure that they are used in an efficient and effective way.
• Help to ensure clarity around fairness, equity, value for money and quality of care in the processes.
Arguments in favour of withholding the information
• Disclosure would weaken our position in a competitive environment by revealing market-sensitive information.
• Disclosure of this information would have harmful effect on future partnerships when entering into commercial activities.
• It is the Council’s position that the third-party and its own commercial interests would be prejudiced and/or would be likely to be prejudiced by the disclosure of the requested information.
• There is a public interest in allowing public authorities to withhold information which if disclosed, would reduce providers' ability to compete in a commercial environment, for the reasons given above.
Whilst the Council strongly believes in the principle of open and accountable local government, the public interest in maintaining the exception outweighs the public interest in disclosing the information.