The City of Bristol has recently been awarded the European Green Capital Award 2015 for a number of measures including consistently reducing CO 2 e emissions since 2005. In 2011, Bristol let a service contract for the collection of municipal waste and winter road maintenance around the City including the provision of vehicles, staff and depots, road and footpath gritting, snow ploughing and communication with the public. The market changed considerably throughout the previous ten year contract, so it was considered important to use the tender to drive economic and environmental improvements. Pre-qualified bidders participated in a competitive dialogue procedure to identify the best of a variety of approaches to improving recycling rates and reducing transport related emissions. One aim of the contract was to reduce emissions by 720 tonnes per annum. The winning bidder offered CO 2 e reduction of 32%, exceeding the Council’s target of 25%. Best estimates for carbon savings are currently 12% for the first year of the contract. Another objective was to increase recycling rates and the 50% target set by the City has been achieved a year ahead of schedule.