<B>Tidewater Fibre Lands Large Contract</B>

Tidewater Fibre Corp. won a high-profile contract to handle curbside recycling on the Peninsula, making the company the biggest private recycling interest in Virginia.

Tidewater collects and processes used cans, bottles, plastic and paper in Virginia Beach, greater Richmond and Newport News. Starting next November the company will manage recycling for 40,000 homes in Williamsburg, Poquoson, James City County and York County.

Hampton, however, opted out of the regional contract, preferring to try its own program, which, if approved, would mirror one in Virginia Beach. The service features larger bins on wheels, more materials, automated collection and higher costs.

The move ends nine years of residential recycling through Waste Management Inc., the world's largest trash company.

The company beat out two other bidders: Waste Management and the Southeastern Public Service Authority, or SPSA, which handles most garbage service in South Hampton Roads, including curbside recycling.