|
Businesses are currently responsible for about half of all the UK’s carbon emissions. This article address addresses why you should consider green purchasing and gives a complete checklist of the questions you need to ask if you want to instigate an environmentally friendly purchasing policy. It is not all altruistic - there can be many business benefits to green purchasing - but you do need to ask the right questions before you start, and if you are going down this route need to be able to tell your customers clearly what you are doing and why.
why bother?
Environmental and green purchasing policies are now established by more and more mainstream companies. Companies can gain considerable impact from developing a green policy and many small businesses in particular have found a niche market to exploit. By advertising genuine green credentials a business will attract more customers.
Consumers have become increasingly concerned about green issues and almost two thirds of shoppers are more likely to buy from businesses doing their bit to tackle climate change, according to a recent study by the Carbon Trust. This is a significant business opportunity. The report found that three-quarters of consumers were concerned about climate change and their own “carbon footprint” – how much impact their life has on the environment – with 67% saying they would buy products with a low carbon footprint.
Another report found that the UK population has become increasingly “green” over the past 10 years, with 73% of respondents claiming to be concerned about environmental issues, compared with 45% in 1996. The research also found that the proportion of those who considered themselves to be anti-green had fallen to just 5%, down from 28% ten years ago. The Stern Report and increasing media coverage and environmental awareness can only increase the demand for not only green products, but for companies that conduct business in an ethical and environmental manner. There is also evidence that people want to work for greener companies, whatever the nature of the business and many businesses realise it makes good business sense to embrace green policies in the office. Recycling, energy use and green procurement of products and services will raise environmental awareness which in turn encourages more people to buy more environmentally sound products. At the same time buying green has potentially direct environmental benefits – there are fewer emissions, less waste and resources are used efficiently. As demand for green products increases there are more choice and greener technological developments.
Businesses can use green policies to both make and save money. Asking if a product is really necessary, seeking alternative goods and services and questioning conventional choices are all simple steps companies can make to make significant changes. Because an increasing number of products falsely claim they are “environmentally friendly” it is vital to verify claims made by the manufacturer and supplier (and equally vital for your own company to back to any green claims it makes!). Ensure you have written documentation that backs up a supplier’s claims. Check when the documentation and process was last reviewed and look at the standards of accreditation. If possible obtain a copy of the manufacturer or supplier’s environmental report or any back up data.
questions to ask when purchasing products or services
Before you purchase anything it is worth asking if you really need to buy the product in the first place - can it be leased or rented cheaper, for example. Maybe you could mend or repair existing equipment or use products more efficiently. Can you use a lower specification? Some products can be made from a lower specification material which uses fewer resources without compromising quality. For example, low-grade paper can be used for use in internal note pads. Or maybe you can find a recycled, unwanted product and save more money.
Use the following checklist, adapted from the Friends of the Earth green purchasing criteria to help you make green decisions. Be pragmatic – you probably won’t be able to fulfil all the criteria, but any business can make a start and vow to make changes when purchasing issues come up in future. Recycling, hazardous content, energy use, packaging and transport are all important issues to think about.
check the resource use and recycling
- does production/extraction of the product cause ecological damage, such as loss of habitats or damage to threatened species?
- are there alternatives?
- is this a remanufactured product?
- can the product be re-used, refilled, recharged or reconditioned to extend its
life?
- can the item be easily upgraded by adding or replacing a part?
- does the product have a recycled content? What percentage?
- is the product accredited with a recognised environmental standard?
- can the product be recycled easily (in the workplace and/or local community)?
- which product is cheaper over its whole life? Look for the lowest whole life cost, not just the lowest capital cost. Relatively expensive products, such as energy efficient light bulbs, may last longer and create less waste, leading to overall savings. Try to make an estimate of the running costs of the product over its lifetime
- can the product be re-used or recycled once obsolete? Will the manufacturer or retailer take the product back?
- will the product require special disposal arrangements? (For example, water-based paints are safer and cheaper to dispose of then solvent-based products.)
- can your suppliers adapt to your requirements?
hazardous content
- is the product or are its components hazardous to humans and/or the wider environment? If yes, what are the health and safety implications and disposal requirements?
- are there any non-hazardous alternatives available?
- are technical data sheets available?
energy
- does the item use energy? (e.g. electrical appliances, equipment, machinery, space heating or vehicles)
- if so, is the item as energy efficient as the alternatives?
- does the item have energy consumption data for all operation modes?
For example when buying a new photocopier, ask the following questions:
- does it have an energy star rating?
- in use, how does its energy consumption compare with other makes?
- is it equipped with a standby mode?
- how does its energy consumption or power saving modes compare with other makes?
- can the time delay power-down be re-programmed (so it can be set to an optimal time)?
- does it have an on/off switch?
- does it have an ozone filter - the better ones can be replaced? (all high-voltage electronic equipment produces ozone, which is an irritant)
- is the ink/cartridge refillable or recyclable?
packaging
- can product packaging be reduced or eliminated?
- is packaging made of recycled material(s)?
- can packaging be re-used, recycled or returned?
food
- can organically grown food be purchased?
- has the food been genetically modified?
- can it be bought locally?
transportation
- is the product locally manufactured and/or locally supplied?
- does the supplier have a Green Transport Plan for their operations?
supplier environmental reporting
- does the supplier have a company Environmental Management System?
- does the supplier report on their environmental performance against set targets?
Once you have the criteria in place you can start to make informed decisions and increase your purchase of greener goods and services. Try to raise awareness with both current and new suppliers and link with other organisations in the same sector. Consider the following options.
- focus on products or services within your company that have the greatest environmental impact
- examine products that would be highly visible within your company; for example, stationery, or office electrical equipment
- integrate reused, refurbished, remanufactured and recycled-content products into your operations wherever possible
- use greener products available through your existing suppliers, such as energy saving office equipment and biodegradable cleaning products
- support local manufacturing efforts by purchasing at least a portion of your recycled products from local manufacturers where they exist
- actively encouraging suppliers to provide products and services that have a minimum adverse environmental impact, requesting suppliers to identify harmful processes and materials in their manufacturing processes. Seek suppliers that are working towards the phase out of such practices
- remember it will not be possible to purchase a green alternative for every product or service. Compromise will be required. It is therefore important to address the significant environmental impacts of your current purchasing policy
- set targets and dates to achieve changes in purchasing practice (e.g. all paper to be of recycled content throughout the office by a certain date)
- network with other departments and neighbouring businesses. It is often possible to buy cheaper in bulk. This can also reduce packaging and transport impacts
useful websites for green purchasing
www.green-office.org.uk Friends of the Earth Scotland. This is an excellent site and businesses can submit an online audit to see how green their companies really are.
www.bitc.org.uk ARENA, in Northern Ireland, provides guidance on ‘Greening the Supply Chain’. For those companies who have developed their environmental management, and wish to encourage their suppliers to do the same, ARENA is able to facilitate the process of supply chain management, with tailored programmes to suit individual company requirements.
www.netregs.gov.uk NetRegs provides free environmental guidance for small businesses in the UK. Helps businesses protect the environment and show ways to use resources more efficiently. Has all current and future legislation information and will email businesses on latest changes.
www.sustainable-development.gov.uk this Green Guide on best practice has lots of useful information although it is aimed at buyers in government departments. It has key tips and action sheets on specific procurement areas, such as batteries and paper.
www.cips.org useful information on environmental purchasing. |
