1. Background
Business Environment Council Limited (“BEC”) is applying an Environment and Conservation Fund (“ECF”) funded Project “BEC Beverage Bottles & Cartons: Return to Renew” (the “Project”).
BEC is currently inviting interested parties to submit Express of Interest (“EOI”) for the provision of reverse vending machines (“RVMs”) which could be capable of collecting and separately storing both plastic beverage bottles and beverage cartons, incorporating different indirect monetary incentives to study user experience and adaptation rates.
The target participating premises for RVM operation include retail outlets, shopping malls, public housing estates and government properties.
2. Objectives
The Project aims to achieve the followings:
- Encourage persistent behavioural changes on beverage container recycling within the community.
- Study the adoption rate of the public when applying RVMs and incentives for plastic beverage bottles and beverage cartons recycling.
- Assist BEC to formulate a policy based on trial experience for Government’s consideration.
3. Scope of works
The Services to be provided by the successful tenderer (“the Service Provider”) generally include:
- Operate and maintain eight (8) RVMs that collect and store both plastic beverage bottles and beverage cartons in the same machine for user convenience.
- Liaise and seek agreement from eight (8) venues, including retail outlets, shopping malls, public housing estates, and government properties to deploy eight (8) sets of RVMs.
- Provide reporting for operational status update and analysis for project effectiveness.
- Work towards achieving the collection targets as agreed with the BEC. This involves monitoring performance and implementing strategies to meet or exceed these goals consistently.
- Establish and maintain a customer service hotline available to users for inquiries and support. Additionally, implement a robust backend system to facilitate operations and monitor machine status.
- Develop and enhance a comprehensive database to track the collection and processing of plastic beverage bottles and beverage cartons in Hong Kong market.
- Provide efficient collection services for the recyclable materials deposited in the RVMs. This includes transporting the collected items to approved recycling facilities in Hong Kong in a timely manner.
- Incorporate indirect monetary incentives (e.g., mobile app points, vouchers) to encourage recycling behaviour.
- Provide a minimum of eight (8) sessions of training workshops to venue owner and minimum eight (8) sessions of street corner promotion service to general public which may include user experience surveys.
- Provide quarterly report and final report for data analysis and operational record.
4. Project Period
- The Project lasts for 18 months with two-month preparation phase followed by a 15-month operational phase for RVM with an one-month evaluation phase that includes a closing ceremony.
- The Project is targeted to commence in October 2025, in which the RVM operation with recyclable collection and transportation shall be started in December 2025. The Service Provider shall provide the Services throughout the Project Period.
5. Shortlisting Criteria
Upon submission of the EOI, eligible Service Providers shall be shortlisted for proceeding to tender stage in accordance with the following selection criteria:
- Company profile;
- Relevant past project experience in RVM operations;
- Resources allocation and qualification of proposed project team;
- Environmental strategies for providing the Services; and
- Any other information and evidence demonstrate your capabilities, e.g. Specification of RVMs for collecting and separately storing both plastic beverage bottles and beverage cartons.
6. Expression of Interest
Please express your interest by returning the following submissions to BEC via email to shermanmak@bec.org.hk on or before 18:00 on Friday 1 August 2025.
Your EOI submission shall contain the following documents:
- The completed form of “Express of Interest” (Annex A);
- Business Registration Certificate;
- Company brochure;
- List of relevant project experience for the last three years (i.e. from 1 July 2022 to 30 June 2025);
- Organisation chart showing all key staffs, partnering companies or sub-contractors to deliver the Services;
- CVs of key staff members;
- Specifications and catalogues of RVMs for collecting and separately storing both plastic beverage bottles and beverage cartons; and
- Any other information and evidence demonstrate your capabilities;
Late submissions may not be further considered.
7. Disclaimer
BEC shall not in any circumstances be liable for any costs, expenses and damages incurred or suffered by the interested parties in connection with the preparation and submission of this EOI to BEC, in the event not to invite any interested parties which has submitted their interest in response to this invitation to enter into any tendering exercise or an agreement for this Term Contract.
This Expression of Interest ("EOI") does not constitute a commitment by BEC to proceed with any tender or procurement process. While we aim to provide accurate and relevant information, we reserve the right to withdraw or not proceed with any tender at our discretion.
Any decision to award a contract will be based on a thorough evaluation process, and we may determine that no contract will be awarded based on factors such as market conditions, changes in project scope, or other reasonable justifications.
8. Enquiries
Any enquiries regarding to the EOI shall be made in writing to Ms Sherman Mak via email shermanmak@bec.org.hk.