What is the School District Consortium?
The School District Consortium is a group of school districts that work with SWACO to leverage their purchasing power when contracting for solid waste and recycling collection services. SWACO contracts with a law firm to work with the school districts to develop a bid package identifying each district’s service needs. The bid package is issued cooperatively, covering all school districts in the Consortium, but each school district selects their awarded hauler individually.
Current School District Consortium Members
Bexley, Columbus, Groveport Madison, Hilliard, New Albany Plain Local, Reynoldsburg, South-Western, Upper Arlington, Westerville, and Whitehall City Schools, and the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio (ESSCO).
Click here to view a map of School District Consortium Members in SWACO's jurisdiction.
Who Can Join the School District Consortium?
SWACO invites all Franklin County school districts and the Educational Service Center of Central Ohio (ESCCO) to participate in the School District Consortium program at the beginning of each new bidding process occurring every 3 – 5 years.
Key Features of the Consortium
- Cost-Effect Service for your district:
By leveraging the collective buying power for trash and recycling, districts lower costs while receiving high-quality services. - Legal Resources:
SWACO pays all legal fees, manages the bidding process, and does the legwork to make it as simple as possible. The contracted law firm develops the bid package and agreements. - Technical Assistance:
SWACO provides guidance on best management practices, including how schools can implement sustainable recycling programs with custodians, staff, and students. Throughout the 3–5-year period, SWACO maintains a contract with the law firm to assist school districts as needed. - Monthly Meetings:
SWACO meets with the Consortium members and selected law firm once a month leading up to the bid issuance and execution of new agreements. Meeting discussions focus on needs, successes, challenges, and creating specific bid and agreement language to help improve services for each participant. Participants individually evaluate the bids received from haulers. After the process, each district executes its agreement with a hauler for services that best fit its needs. - Communication with Haulers:
SWACO hosts meetings with the haulers to better understand capacity, industry challenges, and best practices in advance of drafting the bid documents. The awarded hauler(s) provide collection, transportation, disposal, and processing of solid waste and recyclable materials. Recyclable materials include paper, cardboard, carton containers, plastic bottles & tubs, glass bottles & jars, and metal cans from all buildings in the district, including special events. - Outreach and Education:
SWACO provides professionally designed educational materials that follow best practices. These are available to districts and staff on our School Recycling Resources website.
Want to Learn More?
If you are interested in learning more about our School District Consortium, please contact [email protected].