procurement and waste cap

carbon-clever buying! 

Procurement (what is bought and where it is sourced from) plays a major role in determining your organisation’s carbon footprint. Your suppliers can also have a significant impact, so take measures to encourage them to adopt a lower carbon approach. 

EASY WINS:

• Buy locally produced, seasonal organic produce. Local produce cuts down transport miles, seasonal produce reduces energy intensive storage and organic products avoid artificial pesticides and fertilisers that are dependent on oil. 

• Consider opportunities for exchanging materials, sharing assets and logistics with other organisations, instead of buying new resources and paying for waste to be disposed of. Instead of landfilling old IT equipment, ask if local community groups, schools etc. may be able to use it. For new opportunities (particularly in linking with local community groups) see www.crn.org.uk  Free advice and support is also available from the National Industrial Symbiosis Programme (NISP) – see below. 

• Buy recycled products and recycle. Reuse (and recycle) products instead of buying new – this reduces the need for and cost of raw materials and saves the energy (and carbon) already used to manufacture the product.

• Reduce consumption and waste – cut down on printing etc and save paper, ink and money. For further practical tips see the FSFC ideas on engaging staff in 'be a workplace champ'.

Further advice?

• The National Industrial Symbiosis Programme is a free programme which brings together organisations from all sectors aimed at improving cross sectoral resource efficiency by exchanging materials, energy and water and sharing assets, logistics and expertise. See www.nisp.org.uk and contact Regional Co-ordinator Cameron Tonkin on 0117 9306161, email southwest@nisp.org.uk. 

• Envirowise offers free, independent advice and support on practical ways to minimise waste and reduce environmental impact. Visit www.envirowise.gov.uk and contact Regional Manager, Paul Gilbert on 0870 190 3832.

MAKING A LONGER TERM COMMITTMENT

• Make a commitment to buy local goods and services. The movement of goods has a major impact on CO2 emissions. Buying locally helps reduce transport related CO2 and supports local economies and communities. See the transport CAP for further related action.   

• Invest in the lower carbon option. When making investment decisions consider potential key carbon impacts and invest in the lower carbon option.

• Make a commitment to purchase goods/services from suppliers who are actively pursuing a lower carbon approach. Your suppliers can have a big impact on your carbon footprint. Ask them what they are doing to lower their carbon footprint and encourage them to develop their own CAP! You can formalise this commitment by including carbon criteria into tender and contract documentation.

Sources of further advice – for LAs:

The Nottingham Declaration Action Pack is a major new resource intended to support local authorities in addressing climate change. Support packages are available from www.est.org.uk/housingbuildings/localauthorities/NottinghamDeclaration or call the Energy Saving Trust's information service for local authorities on 0870 241 2089

Guidance for Local Authorities on Climate Change is also available from the IDeA and Local Government Association as part of the overall support they provide to Councils.

Businesses and organisations wanting to get advice on adapting to the impacts of climate change should contact Alex Webb on 01392 442125 or
alex.webb@environment-agency.gov.uk