Purchasing
Purchasing decisions have a direct impact not only on the environment and human health, but also on the quantity of waste your business produces, the amount of energy your business consumes, the perception of how you operate in the eyes of your customer base and ultimately your company’s image.
Thoughtful procurement strategies can transform your business and help you meet CSR objectives while also having a positive impact on our communities and environment.
- Beginner
Just Getting Started - Intermediate
Going a Little Deeper - Advanced
Transforming Your Organization
- Purchase FSC (Forest Stewardship Council) certified or 100% postconsumer recycled paper
- Purchase environmentally friendly bulk cleaning supplies
- Purchase refillable and reusable products
- Conduct lifecycle assessments on products prior to purchase to ensure maximum sustainability, return on investment and environmental efficiency
- Purchase fair trade coffee and tea
- Use minimal packaging in deliveries or shipments
- Reduce delivery frequency of office supply shipments
- Choose green eco-friendly printers
- Choose ENERGY STAR® products, which are certified for energy efficiency
- Introduce a policy that supports sustainable products
- Choose products that reduce or eliminate pollution and toxins
- Support products and services that reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions
- Consider biodiversity maintenance or improvement when producing or acquiring .products and services
- Consider employee health and safety when choosing suppliers
- “Reduce, Reuse and Recycle” when making purchasing decisions
- Create a 5-year or 10-year ambitious sustainability vision, goals and targets of success
- Set and implement bold goals to reduce waste, emissions, water and resource use
- Engage employees at all levels in greening the workplace, their homes and communities
- Embed your green goals into your products and services – help your customers Go Green!
- Engage suppliers and business customers in collaborative projects to help achieve your mutual sustainability goals
- Champion sustainable initiatives to your industry association and solve environmental problems together
- Measure and report your progress, share your efforts with others
Purchasing Resources
EPA Environmentally Preferable Purchasing
Energy Star Products
