Selling recyclable paper & plastic

The South Carolina Department of Corrections (SCDC) Purchasing Branch has issued an Invitation for Bid (IFB) soliciting vendors to purchase recyclable paper and plastic materials generated from their operations. The procurement encompasses ten specific line items of recyclables, including six paper product categories (cardboard, colored paper, magazines, mixed paper, newspaper, and white ledger paper) and four plastic product categories (#1 PET, #2 HDPE, #4 LDPE, and #2 HDPE pill bottles). Annual quantities range from 3 to 736 tons across these categories, with precise forecasts provided for a 365-day period. Sealed bids were due by October 30, 2019, at 10:00 AM, with award notifications scheduled for November 6, 2019. The contract term is structured for one year with four automatic one-year renewal options, allowing for a maximum contract period of five years. Pricing methodology is based on Pulp & Paper Week "Yellow Sheet" high-end pricing for paper products and Recycling Market.Net high-end pricing for plastic products, both referencing July 2019 rates. Vendors are required to handle all pickup costs from the SCDC Recycling Center located in Columbia, South Carolina, and must possess capabilities for accurate trailer and truck weight measurements.

Vendors must possess a state vendor number and comply with South Carolina procurement regulations, ethics requirements, and debarment certifications. The solicitation includes provisions for South Carolina resident vendor preferences and minority business participation disclosures. Payments to SCDC must be made via company check or money order within 30 days of sale, with vendors required to provide comprehensive documentation of weights and pricing calculations. For certain commodities, vendors must supply cardboard gaylords and trailers at no cost to SCDC. Awards will be made by individual line item to bidders offering the highest price, calculated as a percentage of market price plus a currency amount over market price. While specific budget ranges are not explicitly stated, the procurement suggests a potential revenue-generating opportunity for the selected vendor(s), with the volume of recyclable materials indicating a substantial recurring waste management and recycling contract. The solicitation demonstrates a structured approach to converting institutional waste streams into potential revenue through strategic recyclable material sales.