Why sustainable procurement is important
Every year we spend hundreds of millions of pounds on goods (from workwear to PCs) and services (from health and social care to waste management contracts) all of which has potential for positive or negative impacts on our environment.
The types of products we buy, the quantity, as well as where and who we buy them from, will all influence:
- energy use
- transport costs and impact
- recycling and waste
- our natural resources and environment
Equally, our supply chain and contractors must have a strong focus on people, the environment, and ethics within their business.
What we're doing
Our sustainable procurement policy sets out how we will achieve value for money and deliver environmental, social, and economic benefits through procurement and commissioning of goods, works, services and utilities whilst complying with Public Contract Regulations.
We have piloted the use of the Social Value Portal with several contracts from different departments. The aim of the Social Value Portal is to achieve added value from a contract over and above that being delivered through the contractual requirement:
- looking at ways to increase sustainability in our procurements and contracts:
- use of sustainable standards for goods
- quality questions targeted at specific areas of sustainability (for example energy use, recycling or travel)
- key performance indicators (KPIs) and reporting to monitor suppliers
What you can do - top tips
Aim to reduce or consolidate the frequency of deliveries to reduce the impact of transport, and double-check the correct delivery address is supplied to avoid wasted journeys.
Purchase supplies only when necessary and identify ways to minimise the volume of materials consumed.
Use recycled and recyclable goods and materials where possible.
When obtaining quotes, can you source locally and from medium and small businesses?
Market research - are there more sustainable goods and services?
Ask your suppliers what they are doing to improve their environmental sustainability
Share good practice and achievements. Email: place.sustainability@derbyshire.gov.uk
What managers can do
Make sure appropriate environmental legal requirements and considerations are included in all contracts, for example waste disposal.
Familiarise yourself and relevant members of your team with the sustainable procurement policy to influence and manage our process for buying goods and services to reduce environmental impact and improve sustainability