Community-Based Recycling put on Hold: Cambridge’s failed bid to replicate the ERS

Abstract

Inspired by the success of the Edmonton Recycling Society,(Guenter, 1995) an innovative CED organization in Southern Ontario mobilized to compete for a major recycling contract in the Waterloo region. However, procurement practices in the regional government did not consider a double bottom line. Financial considerations were the primary bottom line and the tender was lost by $5000. The article provides an interesting insight into the context municipal decision makers consider in coming to such a decision, especially in light of traditional procurement policies.