Caracas to launch waste collection tenders

Caracas' council aims to launch international bidding for a waste-collection contract once a government commission establishes a new regulatory framework, city mayor Freddy Bernal was quoted as saying by state news agency Venpres reported. The commission, made up of the health and environment ministries as well as municipal officials, will wrap up its 10-week work next month, the agency said. The new contractor will replace current waste collectors Cotecnica and Fospuca once their contracts expire. Though Bernal has criticized the companies' collection standards, they are eligible to compete in the new competition. Municipal officials could not immediately be reached for comment when contacted by BNamericas Wednesday. Metropolitan Caracas has more than 4.5 million residents.