Sustainable Procurement is a process whereby organisations meet their needs for goods, services, works and utilities in a way that achieves value for money on a whole life basis in terms of generating benefits to society and the economy, whilst minimising damage to the environment.
The council recognises it has a vital role in furthering sustainable development, through its procurement of buildings, goods, works and services. Procurement decisions have a major socio-economic and environmental implication, both locally and globally, now and for future generations.
This policy has a vital role to play in achieving the council's climate change strategy objectives.
People, education and awareness
- educate, train and encourage internal purchasers to review their procurement spend with a goal of reduced usage and adopting more environmentally friendly alternative products
- communicate the sustainable procurement policy to all staff, suppliers and stakeholders.
Policy, strategy and communication
- consider the costs and benefits of environmentally preferable good/services as alternatives
- investigate the impact of the council's expenditure on goods and services to identify potential environmental impacts
- investigate opportunities for the recycling and re-use of materials where appropriate
- assess the environmental and corporate risks to the organisation with a commitment to continually improving sustainable performance related to the supply chain
- work with our key partners and suppliers to improve sustainable procurement.
Procurement process
- promote best practice for sustainable procurement
- ensure that where appropriate, suppliers' environmental credentials are, as far as legally practicable considered in the supplier evaluation process and that environmental criteria are used in the award of contracts
- ensure that consideration is given to inclusion, within all specification, of a facility for suppliers to submit offers for environmentally friendly alternatives
- specify, wherever possible and practicable, the use of environmentally friendly goods.
Engaging suppliers
- educate our suppliers regarding the council's environmental and sustainability objectives
- encourage and persuade suppliers to adopt environmentally friendly processes and supply environmentally friendly goods/services
- address barriers to entry in order that Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs), local suppliers and the third sector are encouraged to bid for the council's business
- work with key suppliers to make changes and thereby extend sustainability improvements throughout the supply chain.