TUCO launches waste management contract

The University Caterers Organisation (TUCO) has launched a dedicated sustainable food waste management contract for the higher education and public sector.

The contract has been developed in response to research conducted with responsible business and sustainability information platform Foodservice Footprint.

Providing access to a network of specialist companies, including regional and national service providers, the procurement structure includes: on-site food waste innovation, used disposable cup collection service, waste coffee ground collection service, off-site sustainable food waste management service, and waste oil recycling collection and disposal service.

Mandy Johnston, TUCO category manager, said: "Our new sustainable food waste management contract is built to be flexible and dynamic so that new food waste management innovators can be added as they become available. TUCO members can also recommend operators to the contract, encouraging the sharing of best practice.

"Ultimately, the aim is to provide efficient and cost-effective access to the best service providers and help our members to meet their sustainable business objectives."

Through the contract, the University of Wolverhampton has worked with Organic Waste Logistics to introduce an organic waste logistics system as part of its drive to prevent food waste being sent to landfill.

Staff have since seen an improvement in hygiene levels, as rubbish is no longer left to collect throughout the week, and rubbish is instead sent to an anaerobic digestion plant where it's converted into energy and organic fertiliser.

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