In an effort to enhance their environmental performance, many companies have instituted purchasing policies that give preference to environmentally intelligent products. Consider implementing your own environmentally preferable purchasing policy based on the sample policy below.
The goal of this policy is to ensure that products and services purchased or contracted for by the Pittsburgh Pirates conform to the Pirates’ Environmental Policy. The Pirates will strive, where feasible, to purchase environmentally preferable products and services that meet the team’s needs.
Where possible, purchasing decisions shall favor:
- Products that reduce greenhouse gas emissions or are made with renewable energy
- Products that are recyclable or compostable
- Products that reduce the use of chemicals hazardous to the environment and public health
- Products that contain the highest percentage of postconsumer recycled content possible
- Products that reduce air and water pollution
- Products that reduce waste
- Suppliers that provide environmentally preferable products and can document the supply-chain impacts of their efforts
- Reusable products
- Products that serve several functions (e.g. multipurpose cleaner) and reduce the overall number of products purchased
Environmentally preferable products and services that are of comparable quality and price to their standard counterparts shall receive purchasing preference. In situations where environmentally preferable products are unavailable or impractical, secondary considerations shall include the environmental management practices of suppliers and producers.
The purchase of environmentally preferable products is part of the Pirates’ long term commitment to fans, employees, and the environment. By sending a clear signal to producers and suppliers, the Pirates hope to support wider adoption of environmentally preferable products and practices.
Purchasing policies can be as prescriptive as your team chooses. In some cases, environmentally preferable products can be purchased at little or no increase in cost. And in those cases where the price of environmentally superior products exceeds those currently used, the increased cost can sometimes be mitigated by more efficient operations. Recycled paper, for example, sometimes costs more than virgin paper. However, this cost can be offset by double-sided printing and reduction in paper use.
A company-wide purchasing policy encourages sustainable purchasing practices in the organization and help ensure that green efforts do not fade with employee turnover. Purchasing policies should be comprehensive and cover a wide range of products and services. Policies can vary widely, and your team should implement a policy that works best for your organization.
Staples
Toshiba
List of government purchasing polices
A Common Vision for Transforming the Paper Industry
EPA – Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines: Supplier Database
EPA – Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Database
Environmental Benefits and Cost Savings Calculator for Purchasers
American Recycling Markets, Inc – Recycled Products Guide