The new bid request allows companies to bid for all or parts of the recycling contract. Breaking up the contract among multiple companies might help more companies compete for the city’s business, city officials said.

It might also help the city avoid tossing recyclables in the dump if fires or other circumstances force temporary closures of a recycling contractor, as has happened before, said Jim Theiler, assistant director of Public Works.

The city’s new approach to recycling is already drawing interest from several potential bidders that have requested bid documents from the city, officials said. Theiler would not share the names of the companies.

Firstar Fiber owner Dale Gubbels has committed to bid as part of his negotiations with the city over the current recycling fee. The city’s next garbage contractor, FCC Environmental, said it is evaluating whether to bid.

FCC Environmental CEO Inigo Sanz told The World-Herald late last month that his company historically tries to compete for the recycling business in the communities where it secures waste-hauling contracts.