Sustainable Procurement Policy

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. The Council will therefore strive to:

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

This procurement policy has a vital role to play in achieving the council's climate Change Strategy objectives.