Sustainability: Taking a greener approach to procurement
As costs continue to squeeze the cleaning sector, Stuart Taylor, Office Depot’s Business Manager, offers an insight into the growing importance of sustainability in sourcing equipment.
In challenging economic times, cost remains a key factor. Many organisations may shy away from taking a ‘greener’ approach to procurement because of the possible implications, but organisations are missing out on huge benefi ts, such as shrinking their carbon footprint, saving costs through consolidated ordering and using more effi cient products as a result.
Organisations practising sustainable procurement meet their product and service needs with a view to maximising benefi ts for not only the organisation, but also the wider world. In doing so, they must consider environmental impacts alongside conventional criteria of cost and quality. Therefore, organisations have the power to improve their own reputation, both internally and externally, and
increase their competitive edge as sustainability continues to rise on the agenda of both consumers and businesses alike.
However, thanks to government legislation, many businesses are making sustainability in sourcing their equipment an essential part of their corporate social responsibility plan. Although this mainly applies to larger organisations, smaller businesses are sure to be required to meet targets soon enough. Approaching sustainability head-on can reap genuine rewards, including improved quality and reduced costs. Waiting until it becomes crucial may leave organisations struggling to make changes and keep up with targets.
Shrinking one’s carbon footprint is a key target when organisations look at becoming more sustainable. Within the cleaning industry, there
are a number of ways to decrease the energy used, but fi rst, it is essential to evaluate where the business is at present in order to measure progress. At Offi ce Depot, we inform our customers of what their carbon footprint is when ordering their usual products. We then suggest where products can be changed for an environmentally- friendly alternative, or where a more sustainable delivery procedure can be introduced. We then monitor and report on progress as these green changes lower the carbon footprint.
There are a number of simple ways to increase sustainability within an organization; fi rstly, order consolidation. This can be achieved by simply recognising that even small-scale orders, which may have very minimal costs, can become part
28 | CHEMICALS & DOSING EQUIPMENT
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