News

Sustainability Purchasing On The Rise in BC

Market Momentum in the Making

Sustainability Purchasing Network Manager Tim Reeve can’t help it. He is excited about the choices he sees emerging in the marketplace. “BC is just a hotbed for green innovation,” he says, pointing to the environmentally friendly and socially sustainable technologies, office supplies, catering, courier, printing and other services now available. And he is optimistic the trend will continue.

Who ultimately decides the direction BC takes? In the end, buyers do. That includes all individuals, certainly, but also those who buy goods and services for private, public and non-for-profit sector organizations. For these people, buying is a business decision, and motivation ranges from reducing waste to enhancing image. Many have seen the value, and are ready to move forward.

“Today the conversation has shifted,” Tim says. “It used to be Why should I do this? Now it’s How do I do it? and How do I do it well? And that’s a big difference.

Is the Triple Bottom Line Affordable?

What about businesses that stay on the sidelines, and buyers who remain skeptical?

“There is still a bit of a myth that sustainability purchasing is necessarily more expensive or that you are going to increase the cost of goods or have inordinate administrative costs,” Tim says. “Absolutely it’s true that some sustainability products are more expensive, but price premiums are generally declining quite quickly as market demand grows and the economy of scale improves to deliver those.”

One factor he says is often overlooked is what a product costs over its lifetime. Energy-efficient light bulbs are an example of good value that people readily understand.

“Some of this is just smarter purchasing,” he points out. “A sustainability purchasing strategy actually means a check in the procurement process – do we necessarily need to buy this at all? Or could we maybe lease it instead? Or do we have surplus elsewhere, or do we need to buy as much as we did before?” When it comes down to making a choice, Tim notes that it’s also a question of aligning actions with corporate values. There is high risk to any company that seeks to gain goodwill by giving away company jackets, for example, if it turns out those jackets were made in an overseas sweatshop.

Businesses uncertain about the affordability of a triple bottom line approach can take comfort in the experiences of peers – thanks to a collection of case studies in a new SPN publication, a Guide to the Business Case and Benefits of Sustainability Purchasing. Yes, the business case can be made.

Starting the Conversation with Suppliers

For anyone championing a new purchasing policy, it’s a good idea to gain internal support, work up the policy, and talk to suppliers.

Consider the experience of the Vancouver Aquarium, a not-for-profit with a conservation mandate.

Vancouver Aquarium Environmental Management System Coordinator Jennifer Richards says the Aquarium is taking steps to green its operations. Some of these are fairly big steps — such as purchasing a hybrid for its fleet and building a new educational centre to LEED™ standards. Others are smaller, but significant – using recycled copy paper and Green Seal paper products in the office and introducing biodegradable take-out dishes to make it easier to compost waste in its cafe.

Last summer the Aquarium adopted a sustainability purchasing policy, which it passed on to suppliers to its gift shop, along with a survey. “It was an opportunity to open up the discussion and let our suppliers know what’s on our mind, where we are headed, and hopefully to take it as an indication of what other companies may be looking for as well,” she says.

Tim Reeve says that starting this sort of dialogue is essential to building stronger relationships. Once suppliers know what a client wants, they can often meet expectations, and even introduce other products the client didn’t know existed. “And that’s a new conversation,” he says.

The 2010 Games – sustainability on the world stage

For businesses with an eye on the triple bottom line, the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Games offers opportunities. VANOC is expected to spend $1 billion in planning, hosting and staging of the Games – and within that budget is money for sustainability purchases.

Ann Duffy manages VANOC’s sustainability program and recently spoke at an SPN workshop.

She says the Games offer a unique opportunity for BC to showcase its green innovations – from waste-heat converters to textiles made of recycled materials. VANOC suppliers have had early successes on the social and economic fronts as well. She points to a construction project led by Lil’wat Nation that greatly reduced unemployment and led to new business opportunities in that community.

Another success story is VANOC's office supply contract.  It was awarded to Mills Basics, a BC office products supplier with a long history in Vancouver and a track record of hiring from disadvantaged neighbourhoods.

For some bids, prospective suppliers will be asked to demonstrate their own commitments to sustainability. How they can do that is explained in VANOC’s procurement documents. Interested businesses are welcome to visit vancouver2010.com to review current opportunities and 2010commercecentre.gov.bc.ca to register on a database of prospective suppliers.

Ann Duffy says that VANOC hopes to inspire other organizations to buy for sustainability, and to build a community of suppliers. “By the end of the Games, we should have a better list of enterprises that have not only delivered product or service quality, but also have a good track record and are good examples of enterprises that bring value in the economic, social and environmental domain,” she says.

Steps to Smarter Buying

“Get started with small steps, small wins and build your program. These programs don’t just happen overnight, they build over time.

— Tim Reeve, Manager, Sustainability Purchasing Network

When it comes to changing buying practices, Tim Reeve reminds people that it’s not an “all or nothing” proposition.

Ann Duffy of VANOC agrees. “Pick an area that makes sense for your business,” she says. “If you’re a cleaning enterprise, look at the cleaning products and solutions and ask if they are environmentally benign. If you are a catering business, who have you hired to help run your business? Where are some of the foodstuffs coming from? Are you buying locally or are you importing from a great distance? Just get started and build on that.”

Here are 10 steps to a successful sustainability purchasing program:

1. Find Allies in your Organization

2. Tap Into Key Resources

3. Find Ways to Use Less of What You Already Have

4. Make a “Top 10” Sustainability Shopping List

5. Take a “Total Cost of Ownership” Approach to What You Buy (Check out our TCO Workbook for more information )

6. Draft a Policy Statement

7. Start a Sustainability Conversation with Current Suppliers

8. Choose New Suppliers Committed to Sustainability

9. Set Goals and Track Your Activities

10. Communicate and Reward Achievements

Shop Smarter – Visit Buysmartbc.com

Ready to learn more? Plan to attend a workshop or learning circle offered by the Sustainability Purchasing Network. You’ll find upcoming events at buysmartbc.com. While there, check out these resources:

o    Guide to the Business Case and Benefits of Sustainability Purchasing

o    Sustainability Purchasing Survey report

o    Integrating Sustainability into Purchasing – Your Tendering Toolkit

(includes highlights of Ann Duffy’s presentation on VANOC)

SPN is an educational initiative of the Fraser Basin Council, thanks to support from sponsors and participants.

Updates

Steering Committee and Staff 

Richard Kouwenhoven of Hemlock Printers, Steering Committee Chair, extends a special welcome to Arleen Chenoll, VANOC, Iqbal Allam, Building Opportunities for Business, and Charlene Easton, UBC, who joined the Steering Committee as new members. The role of the Steering Committee is to provide guidance to the further development of the Sustainability Purchasing Network. Warm thanks to Charlene Easton for all her work in launching the network, we are glad to retain her as part of our Steering Committee. Thanks also to Vicki Scully who has left the Steering Committee.

The Network welcomes a new volunteer Whitney Larsen. Thanks to Whitney for her commitment and her help so far.

Contact Information

To subscribe to the Network newsletter or to find out more about other events and resources, please visit our website, or This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it us.

The Sustainability Purchasing Network is a program of the Fraser Basin Council that supports organizations to develop and improve sustainability purchasing practices, and to influence positive environmental, social, ethical, and economic impacts in BC and beyond.

Network Events

Spring 2007 Workshop Report

Reducing Carbon Through Purchasing

At our workshop in March, a broad audience discussed ways to reduce carbon in the supply chain. Participants discussed greenhouse gas inventories, product carbon footprints and other tools to assess an organization's impact and reduce carbon. Thanks to the Ministry of Environment's Climate Change Section for sponsoring this workshop.

Graham Kissack, Catalyst Paper Director of Sustainability

Integrating Sustainability Into Purchasing

At our workshop in June, a good cross-section of purchasers worked with questionnaires, specifications and evaluation tools to integrate sustainability into purchasing. Vanoc shared their experience integrating their sustainability goals into their purchasing practices. 

Fall 2007 Event Calendar

Learning Circle: Buying Greener Paper, September 20th, 2007, 10–11:30 am

Join other purchasers in a small group setting to exchange best practice, and discuss challenges and opportunities related to efforts to green one of the biggest purchases many organizations make.

Workshop: Introducing Sustainability Purchasing, October 4, 2007, 8am-1pm

This introductory workshops outlines key sustainability purchasing strategies, and teaches purchasers how to implement them. Topics include key tips for new/existing purchasers, communicating the business case and minimizing costs. Participants are given simple and practical examples, tools and resources.

Workshop: The Social Side of Sustainability Purchasing,

October 25, 2007, 8am-1pm

This workshop introduces the benefits and challenges of social purchasing. Social purchasing creates meaningful jobs for the underprivileged as a way to leverage purchasing dollars for maximum social gain. Many organizations are integrating social concerns into purchases to fulfill their social goals and support their communities.

Learning Circle: Removing Toxins from Your Supply Chain, November 8th, 2007, 10–11:30 am

Join other purchasers in a small group setting to exchange best practice, and discuss challenges and opportunities related to removing toxins from the supply chain.

To register for Network Events, visit our website, or This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it us.

Other Events

Forum on Public Procurement Sept. 30 - October 3, 2007 (Calgary, Alberta)

The Canadian Public Procurement Council presents its annual conference and AGM.  Share and update knowledge about public procurement and improve professional networking contacts. For program and registration information, please click here.

Green Purchasing Summit, Nov. 29-30, 2007 (Miami Beach, FL)

Eyeforprocurement presents a Green Purchasing Summit to introduce purchasers to:

* Benefits of Green Purchasing
* How to apply environmentally preferable criteria in the  procurement process to improve environmental performance, while addressing ethics, social regeneration and economic concerns
* Updated information on which ‘green' products work as well or better than traditional products
Click here for more information.

Resource Corner

Network Resources

Network Releases Guide to the Business Case and Benefits of Sustainability Purchasing

The SPN's Guide to the Business Case and Benefits of Sustainability Purchasing is a resource tool for those starting  sustainability purchasing policies/programs, or are extending social, environmental and ethical considerations to new areas of purchasing. It is a resource for building the business case for sustainability purchasing decisions, and includes a range of financial and non-financial benefits and costs of sustainability purchasing. Click here to download the Business Guide.

Resources to Integrate Sustainability Into Purchasing

Network Resources

Find the following resources on our website

• Integrating Sustainability Into Purchasing Presentation (June 2007)  power point presentation on the methods and tools for integrating sustainability into purchasing, including questionnaires, custom specifications and evaluation
• Total Cost of Ownership Workbook (May 2006) A resource workbook describing a TCO workshop tool, best practices, and application, with a list of further resources
• Total Cost of Ownership Presentation (May 2006)  A power point presentation on Total Cost of Ownership which details (a) the concept of Total Cost of Ownership; (b) how TCO is applied in the purchasing process; and (c) an overview of a practical TCO tool
• Guide to the Business Case and Benefits of Sustainability Purchasing  (November 2006)  A Guide to help you understand the triple bottom line benefits (financial, social and environmental) and costs of sustainability purchasing

Greater Vancouver Regional District

Find the following resources on the GVRD website.

• Sustainable Supply Chain Logistics Guide
This Guide is about sustainable supply chain logistics (SCL) - that is, the planning, storage, transportation, and reverse logistics processes involved in getting goods and services to the right place, at the right time, and in the right condition, while minimizing the impacts on our natural and social environments
• Sustainable Purchasing Guide This Sustainable Purchasing Guide can help organizations incorporate social and environmental considerations into purchasing decisions
• Business Case Total Cost Assessment A Web application was developed by the Greater Vancouver Regional District to assist the business community.
• SmartSteps Product Directory Designed to help businesses identify products and services that have less impact on the environment. It features locally-available products and services that carry either a third party certification based on the life-cycle impacts of the product or service, or a self-declared environmental claim provided by the manufacturer, distributor or supplier.

Commission for Environmental Cooperation

Find the following resources on the CEC website.

• Purchasing Policies 101: An Overview of Current Environmentally Purchasing Policies (2004) Based on a review of over 80 North American policies
• North American Green Purchasing Initiative ECO S.A.T. (2004) Designed to help professional purchasers evaluate their organization's environmental purchasing initiatives and identify opportunities for improvement
• Best Practices Guide Advice on policies, process and implementation
• Listing of Existing Green Procurement Initiatives

Funding Update

Thanks to our new sponsors:

* Bell Canada

* Hemlock Printers