Join the Sustainable Procurement Challenge!
Hello,
I am delighted to use my new role as Deputy Minister of Environment to invite you to join Ministry of Environment (MOE) and help lead the change towards sustainable procurement! We all know that it is an imperative for our purchasing decisions to be fiscally prudent. At the same time, looking towards a more sustainable future, we should all seek ways to reduce our consumption and – when we do purchase – to choose options that are not only cost effective, but socially and environmentally responsible. Every organization and every individual can play a role in this.
At MOE, we have a vision for a sustainable organization that ‘walks the talk.’ To help fulfill this, we are changing the way we use office products, reducing cost, carbon and waste. One way my ministry is working to achieve this is through a new internal Sustainable Procurement Policy which is addressing office products (under $5,000), travel and meetings. The following guiding principles direct our purchasing decisions:
Sustainable procurement is the right thing to do and, in many cases, it also makes excellent business sense.
Whenever possible, we reuse or share office supplies, avoiding new purchases and reducing the demand for energy and raw materials that would otherwise go into producing and shipping new supplies. When we do purchase, all things being equal, MOE’s policy is to choose the more sustainable option. In many cases, from pens and pencils, to office chairs, to hotel rooms, the “greener” option is just as affordable – if not less expensive. In instances where products do cost more, durability and life cycle costs may factor the decision-making. For example, we might spend a small amount more on 100% recycled paper. However, our office has also implemented automatic double-sided printing which more than makes up for this difference. Our paper requirements are significantly lower, and we reduce our carbon footprint. As the demand for greener products grows, the price will continue to drop.
Budget constraints have driven down our overall office spending since 2008, but this has taught us to consume more wisely and to take a more considered approach. In the midst of budget challenges, MOE is proud of its achievements. Since MOE’s Sustainable Procurement Policy was implemented last year, 90% of all our headquarters’ purchases made from Distribution Centre Victoria’s (DCV) catalogue have been Green Leaf Products (compared to 17% in 2008/09). Thank you DCV for making these purchasing decisions available and easy!
MOE is the first ministry in BC with an official Sustainable Procurement Policy, but we don’t want to be the last. With the support of my colleague, Deputy Minister Kim Henderson, I challenge your organization to follow our lead and meet (or beat!) our 90% Green Leaf purchasing achievement without increasing your spending budget. Better yet, share your stories of innovative ways to buy less and conserve office resources while maintaining the high quality of work that we value in the public service.
Click Here to Join the Sustainable Procurement Challenge Today!.
DCV is a valuable partner in helping your Ministry to achieve its green goals, and can provide reports on which of your purchases are green.
Public agencies can help reduce the pressure on our planet, promote more socially responsible production, and achieve better value per purchasing dollar. As government, we are influential customers that have a role in changing production and consumption trends, and creating demand for greener products and technology.
Want to find out more about how your ministry’s procurement can be more sustainable? Visit: Where
Green Ideas Work.
To find out more about MOE’s
Sustainable Procurement Policy visit our Intranet Web Library or contact
Maria Emerson.
Sincerely,
Cairine MacDonald
Deputy Minister
Ministry of Environment
Ministry of Environment
Sustainable Procurement Policy Statement & Framework
Procurement decisions made by or on behalf of the Ministry of Environment (MoE) will reflect the vision, goals and values of our organization. MoE will uphold all Core Policies and Procedures related to government procurement and will adopt the Province of British Columbia’s Guidelines for Procurement of Environmentally Responsible Products and Services (Core Policy Manual 6.3.1 Procurement Planning – Policy 14). MoE will strive to meet and exceed the guidelines and integrate principles of sustainable procurement, while maintaining compliance with applicable trade agreements.
The Ministry of Environment believes the environmental, economic and social benefits associated with making sustainable choices are valuable, and should be considered an important factor in all purchasing decisions. Our Ministry will use its purchasing power to promote sustainability; this will extend to the acquisition of both products and services where practical.
While cost effectiveness and efficiency remain deciding factors, procurement decisions for products and services will also include sustainability considerations. Sustainable procurement will include consideration of environmental issues incorporating greenhouse gas reductions, waste reduction, and toxics reductions. Economic considerations will include lifecycle costing supporting the economy, and fiscal responsibility. Social considerations will include Ministry employee safety and health and inclusiveness in our purchasing practices.
Sustainable Procurement Policy Framework
The Ministry of Environment will take the following considerations into account when making purchasing decisions, wherever practical and financially appropriate:
