An Ystrad Mynach-based waste management company, which has made a massive contribution to recycling in the public sector in Wales, is an example of quality procurement according to Finance Minister Jane Hutt.

Amber Services, which won the Green Public Procurement Award 2014, specialises in waste management from collection to disposal with a heavy emphasis on recycling.

Minister Jane Hutt cited the company as a leader in its field when she launched the Welsh Procurement Awards 2015.

People across Wales are being encouraged to nominate an individual or organisation who has achieved great things in the field of procurement in Wales.

With ten award categories, the Welsh National Procurement Awards – a collaboration between Welsh Government’s Value Wales Division and Bangor University’s Institute for Competitive Studies (ICPS) - will take place in March 2015 at City Hall, Cardiff. The nomination process is open until February 6.

Amber Services recycles about 85 per cent of general waste received at its site and next year the firm aims to achieve zero waste to landfill.

One of the company’s biggest success stories is its work with Coleg Gwent. In 2007 the college was sending 100 per cent of its waste to landfill. Recognising this was unacceptable they set themselves the challenge of 50 per cent landfill waste by 2012 and worked closely with Amber Services to achieve this objection. By 2012 Coleg Gwent went beyond its target and achieved an 87 per cent recycling rate and achieved the highest level of Green Dragon Environment Management Standards.

Minister Jane Hutt said: “There is much to celebrate within Welsh public sector procurement and the annual Welsh National Procurement Awards are a perfect opportunity to showcase all of the good work taking place. Following an overwhelming number of submissions for the 2014 awards, next year’s awards promise to be even bigger with 10 Awards now available.”