Green Procurement

What is Green Procurement?

Green procurement is the purchase of products and services that have a minimal or reduced environment and human health impact. In addition to improved environmental performance,

many environmentally preferred products work as well or better than traditional products and can even save you money.

Why buy Green?

Environmental impacts occur at all stages of a products life cycle, from extraction of raw materials to the transportation, manufacture, use and disposal or reuse. Buying ‘Green’ products helps to reduce the environmental impacts associated with these stages.

Some things to consider:

1. Think of longevity, reusability and recyclable when buying office equipment such as printers, scanners and photocopiers.

2. How was the product manufactured? Could you buy something that does the same job but that carries less of an environmental impact?

3. Does it contain harmful chemicals or toxins? Many office products contain chemicals that are quite toxic and that can leach into our waterways once dumped into landfill.

4. Is it made of recycled material? Buying recycled helps reduce your own environmental impacts as well as encourages suppliers to supply recycled products.

5. Do you really need it? The best way of conserving our natural resources is not to use them in the first place!

What your department can do:

1. Realize that going green is an investment, but rather than looking at the short term cost, focus on the long term goal and benefits.

2. Search for available 'green' products and consider its environmental impact.

3. Reducing our carbon footprint in the office is so underrated, spread the word within your office and explain how everyone can make a difference.

4. Implement software solutions that enable your reach to control your footprint, ie: PretonSaver is an incredible tool which gives your company the ability to control your printer fleet, while saving money.

5. Research on green office programs and competitions, going green can be fun!