Cardiff Council has appointed a new provider to dispose of more than 70,000kg of confidential waste it produces each year.

Following a successful tender exercise, ELITE Paper Solutions, a social enterprise offering training and opportunities to disadvantaged and disabled people in South East Wales, has been appointed to collect confidential waste documents from more than 75 sites in the city including schools, community hubs and Council offices.

The appointment is in line with the Council's recently-adopted Socially Responsible Procurement policy which brings together a number of different legislative requirements, policy initiatives and aspirations into a single framework underpinned by six key priorities: Local Training and Employment, Green and Sustainable, Think Cardiff First, Ethical Employment, Partners in Communities, Promoting the Wellbeing of Young People and Vulnerable Adults.

The aim of the policy is to ensure that the Council maximises the social, economic, environmental and cultural wellbeing that it delivers through its procurement activity. 

Cabinet Member for Finance, Modernisation and Performance, Cllr Chris Weaver, said: "We want to do business with organisations who share our principles around promoting social value and fair work practices, as well as ensuring our work aligns to the requirements of the Well-being of Future Generations (Wales) Act 2015, which aims to make Wales a better place to live in now and in the future.

"Awarding this contract to ELITE Paper Solutions is a clear demonstration that we are committed to ensuring the realisation of these aims. "

ELITE Paper Solutions, based in Merthyr Tydfil, was launched in 2015with the aim of creating paid employment or work opportunities forpeople with disabilities. The social enterprise currently provides over 500 organisations throughout Wales with the provision of confidential waste destruction, archive storage, and document scanning services. The organisation is also a stepping stone, allowing people with disabilities and those at a disadvantage to move on and progress within their local community.

ELITE helpsorganisations reduce their carbon footprint through effective recycling of waste. They recycle 100% of the paper they receive and to date, have recycled more than 800 tonnes of paper.

ELITE Paper Solutions, Chief executive, Andrea Wayman, said: "We are extremely pleased that Cardiff Council chose to procure their document destruction services through a fully integrated Corporate Social Responsibility focus, in line with Welsh Government Policy. By awarding the contract to ELITE Paper Solutions, they are contributing to the creation and sustainment of jobs for people with disabilities and those who have experienced disadvantage. We look forward to working with Cardiff colleagues and will endeavour to provide them with the best possible service, through our committed workforce."