Sustainable Procurement

Purchasing can be used to support wider social, economic and environmental objectives in ways that offer real long-term benefits for local and global communities. There are choices to made ranging from buying seasonal & local food to energy efficient equipment. Quick wins could be made in the reduction of paper usage and applying for a Fair-trade status.

Help and advice

The Sustainable Procurement National Action Plan was published in 2006 to use the considerable purchasing power of the government estate to move towards a more sustainable economy through stimulating the market for more sustainable goods and services. It provides a flexible framework that allows organisations to assess the quality of their procurement activity and gives a clear route map to better performance. It identifies areas for priority spend where attention should be focused, and it provides specialist toolkits and expert advice and support for public sector procurers.

Case Studies

Examples of good practice in FE (Taken from a project commissioned by the LSC in 2006. The Colleges are presented anonymously in the research report):

College F monitors its policy commitment to “introduce environmental criteria to guide the procurement of all goods and equipment and ensure that these requirements are reflected in all standard contracts conditions”.

College R has a strategic approach to its work with local SMEs, that exemplifies the holistic nature of effective sustainable development. When it needed electrical contractors in the past, the college would appoint firms from as far away as Leeds. More recently, the college finds contractors through its database of employers that run Modern Apprenticeships or work experience schemes, wherever possible. This cuts down the need for travel, helps sustain the local economy and develops employer/college relationships.

College M is a member of an energy purchasing partnership, inherited from the days when the college was under Local Authority control.

Download the entire report

Continue the journey

More information about sustainable procurement can be found under the Buildings and Estates section.