(a) For purposes of this section, “recycled material” shall mean material other than paper, the components of which, in whole or in part, would otherwise have been destined for the waste stream.
(b) All bid specifications for public improvements shall request the bidder to determine whether he or she is able to submit a bid using recycled material. If both of the following apply, the bidder shall submit an alternate bid using the maximum amount of recycled material possible in light of the technology in existence at the time the bid is submitted:
(1) The public improvement which incorporates recycled material is of equal or superior quality to that of a like public improvement which incorporates no recycled material; and
(2) The public improvement may be constructed at a cost which is not more than five percent (5%) greater than the cost of an improvement which is constructed only of non-recycled material. Even if divisions (b)(1) and (b)(2) of this section do not apply, the bidder may, at his or her option, submit an alternate bid using recycled material.
(c) In evaluating bids for a public improvement, the Commissioner of Purchases and Supplies shall give preference to a public improvement which incorporates recycled material, provided that the City official who oversees construction of the improvement determines that the quality of such improvement is equal or superior to that of a like improvement which is bid using only non-recycled material, and provided further that the price bid for the public improvement which incorporates recycled material does not exceed by more than five percent (5%) the lowest price bid for the improvement which is constructed only of non-recycled material. The Commissioner of Purchases and Supplies shall promulgate regulations for the application of the preference. Said regulations shall be published in the City Record and shall include a requirement that the Commissioner take into consideration the total percentage of recycled material used in the improvement.
(Ord. No. 781-A-91. Passed 9-30-91, eff. 10-8-91)