Environmental Purchasing Matters

Chapter 1 – Environmental Purchasing Matters EnvironmentalPurchasing Guide

February 2001 City of Richmond 1287984

Many Richmond City staff already purchaseenvironmentally friendly products. In a 1999survey of City staff, 83% of respondentsreported that their work groups buy itemswith recycled content some or most of thetime. In addition, 71% of work groups buyitems that are easy to recycle or areenvironmentally friendly.

Staff interest in environmental purchasing ishigh: fully 80% of respondents thought astructured list of environmental alternativeswould help when ordering supplies. Almosttwo-thirds of respondents supported thedevelopment of an EnvironmentalPurchasing Policy. Individuals commentedon the need to raise all staff’s awareness ofenvironmental purchasing beyond stationeryitems to include a wide range of productsand services.

EnvironmentalPurchasing Matters

Protecting our environment. Preventingpollution. Recycling. Ensuring a sustainablecommunity for our children and futuregenerations.

The City of Richmond, its staff and citizens,share many common environmental values.The City demonstrates commitment to thesevalues by cultivating a culture ofresponsibility for the environment throughits policies, plans and actions. In fact,Richmond has been recognizedinternationally for environmental excellencein heritage management, landscapeenhancement including the extensive dykeand trail system, environmental practicessuch as recycling and protection ofenvironmentally-sensitive areas, communityinvolvement and planning for the future.

Environmental purchasing is an importantway for City staff to demonstrate leadershipfor the environment. Every day someone atthe City, whether they have “purchasing” intheir title or not, is considering or carryingout a buying decision on behalf of the City.This guide shows how we can use ourpurchasing power to demonstratecommitment to the environment.

Environmental PurchasingDefinedEnvironmental purchasing meanspurchasing products or services whichminimize, or provide favourableenvironmental impacts. Environmentalpurchasing involves considering the costsand environmental consequences of aproduct in all stages of its life cycle, fromproduct development and manufacturingthrough product use to the ultimate disposalof whatever remains of the product at theend of its life span.

When we practice environmentalpurchasing, we evaluate potential purchasesnot just by standard criteria such as priceand performance but by environmentalcriteria such as recycled content, packagingand energy efficiency as well.

Product Lifecycle

Environmental Chapter 1 – Environmental Purchasing Matters

Purchasing Guide

2 City of Richmond February 2001287984

When recycled materials are used toproduce paper, aluminium and glass, energyconsumption can be reduced by up to 95%,water consumption by up to 50%, airpollution by 95%, and water pollution by upto 97%.

Source: BC Liquor Distribution BranchRecycling Fact Sheet.

When scrap iron is used instead of iron oreto make steel, mining wastes are reduced by97%, air pollution effluents by 80% andwater pollution by 76%.

Source: Recycling Council of Ontario.

Advertisement prepared by Keep America Beautiful Inc.

Why BotherThere are many compelling reasons topractice environmental purchasing.Consider these four:

Reducing Environmental ImpactsEnvironmentally sound products aregenerally produced and disposed of in waysthat have less impact on the environment.Environmentally sound products are oftenproduced using fewer natural resources orusing resources sustainably to ensure afuture supply. The product may containfewer hazardous or toxic materials sopollution is reduced in its manufacture, useand disposal. Environmentally soundproducts may use less energy in theirmanufacture or consume less energy whenused. They may reduce waste because theproduct contains recycled materials, usesless packaging or provides packaging thatcontains recycled material, is recyclable orwill be taken back by the supplier.

Supporting Recycling ProgramsWhen we buy products with recycledcontent we help build and sustain marketsfor the materials collected in residential andbusiness recycling programs. It makes nosense to separate materials like paper andplastics from the garbage if no one will usethem productively again.

Recycling old materials into new productscan save natural resources, energy andwater, as well as reduce air pollution and theneed for landfills or incinerators. By“buying recycled” we ensure a market forthe materials we so diligently put into theBlue Box and other recycling programs.

Increasing Demand ForEnvironmentally Sound ProductsAs more customers demand products andservices that have a minimal effect on theenvironment, business practices change tomeet the demand. As more buyers seek outrecycled products of the same quality astheir virgin counterparts, industry alters it’sprocesses. And as more contract managersset down environmental specifications,bidders refine their practices to meet theenvironmental standards.



Our Vision is … For the City of Richmond tobe the most appealing, liveable, and well-managed community in Canada.

Source: The Strategic Management Plan forRichmond.

John Lindberg

Case Study: City of Richmond’spurchase of second-handfurniture.

In 1995, John Lindberg was the City ofRichmond’s Manager of Purchasing anda man ahead of his time. Going againstthe common perception that new is best,Lindberg outfitted Richmond’s treasurydepartment with high quality, usedmodular office furniture, a move thatsaved an estimated $157,000. Sincethen the City has furnished numerousoffices, including the library, planningdepartment and RCMP offices withsecond-hand furniture.

We can use our buying power as a powerfulengine for positive change in how productsand services affect the environment.

Taking Personal ResponsibilityWhile taking care of our environment canseem like an overwhelming responsibilityfor one person, there is a simple startingpoint for each of us: making incrementalchanges in how we consume and dispose ofitems. Small changes in purchasing —choosing a durable product over adisposable one, adding environmentalcriteria to a tendering process, selectingitems with recycled content — can make aworld of difference.

Government’s CommitmentThe City of Richmond demonstratesleadership and a clear commitment to actingin an environmentally responsible mannerthrough many important policy documentsand programs endorsed by Council.Consider these four:

Richmond’s Strategic ManagementPlan

The Strategic Management Plan presents avision-driven strategy for the City ofRichmond to adapt to and build upon thechallenges and opportunities of change. ThePlan details the City’s responsibility notonly to create a culture of responsibility forthe environment through the provision ofprograms such as recycling andbeautification but also to ensure that theCity’s policies, plans and actions ensureconservation and environmentalconsideration.

Strategic actions that clearly demonstrateRichmond’s commitment to the environmentcan be found in most core strategy areas. Asampling of these actions include:

n Creating a culture of responsibility forcleanliness and the 3Rs

n Developing principles and standards forCity capital projects that ensure safety,conservation, environmentalconsideration and sustainability

n Developing strategies to ensure thatRichmond is a sustainable city in thebroadest context

n Ensuring that the City policies, plansand actions protect or enhance qualityof life

n Developing an environmental strategythat enhances liveability.


Purchasing Guide


Richmond Official Community Plan

The Official Community Plan (OCP), likethe Strategic Management Plan, calls on theCity to continue its leadership role in caringfor the environment. The OCP, a legaldocument that outlines the vision andpolicies for the City’s social, economic,environmental and physical future, refersspecifically to environmental purchasingwhen it states that the City will:

Continue to set an example of wastereduction in the City’s procurement practiceby emphasizing reusable packaged products,minimizing the procurement of over-packaged products and products that do notcontain recycled materials, and ensuringresponsible management of residentialwaste. (Page 127, OCP)

Further references include the City pursuinga lead role in developing new energy-savingprograms, establishing best practices forCity operations which impact air qualityand, in general, “implement(ing) thoseenvironmental actions which are effectiveand within its mandate.”

Richmond State of the EnvironmentReport

The State of the Environment Report (SOE)identifies Richmond’s generalenvironmental priorities and provides areport card on overall environmental health.As part of a planned environmentalmanagement system, the SOE identifies thesignificant role the City plays in ensuringcare for the environment.

The city can help promote environmentalstewardship by setting a good example andusing best environmental practices. Thesepractices may also save money and reduceliability as well as resulting inenvironmental benefits. (Page 67, SOE)

Richmond Official Community Plan

State of the Environment Report



Richmond’s Energy Conservation PolicyRichmond’s Energy Conservation Policy,adopted in 1991, demonstrates commitmentto the efficient use of energy in the planningand operating of all its facilities. The policycalls for a number of actions related toenvironmental purchasing includingdirectives to:

n Consider life cycle costs whenpurchasing new equipment and whenundertaking major repairs toequipment. (That is, products andsystems with superior efficiency, whichwill pay for their premium costs withintheir useable life, will be preferred.)

n Provide, within reason, the bestavailable energy-efficient system

n Upgrade existing facilities andequipment to higher efficiency asbudgets and circumstances allow wherethe change offers a simple payback ofno more than five years.Policy 2004, Energy Conservation,Richmond.

Richmond’s Civic Properties Departmentintegrates energy considerations into allfacets of facilities planning and operations,resulting in a number of Power Smartrebates and awards for energy-savinginitiatives over the past 10 years. Projectssuch as replacing or retrofitting facilitylighting and replacing faulty motorcapacitors on pump stations have not onlyreduced energy consumption (the primarytarget) but, in many cases, have reducedmaintenance costs and extended operatinglife as well.

Greater Vancouver Regional DistrictSolid Waste Management PlanThe Solid Waste Management Plan is aguiding document that outlines how garbagewithin the GVRD will be managed andreduced in order to meet the provinciallymandated goal of 50% less waste per capitaby the year 2000. The Plan identifies anumber of initiatives that membermunicipalities and the GVRD haveimplemented to reduce garbage, includingthe provision of residential Blue Box andyard waste recycling programs and thepromotion of business recycling.

Impressively, by the end of 1998, GVRDmember municipalities had collectivelyreached the goal. The challenge now is tomaintain what has been achieved and takewaste reduction to the next level.Establishing an environmental purchasingpolicy and implementing practices areimportant next steps.

The Plan contains a clear call to action underthe initiative “Procurement Policies.” Theinitiative states that “all levels ofgovernment should increase governmentprocurement of reusables or productscontaining post-consumer secondarymaterials.” Further, the plan calls on theGVRD and member municipalities to“describe policies and programs to increasedemand for recyclable materials.”


Purchasing Guide


The City of Richmond has manyenvironmentally responsible purchasingpractices already underway including:

n Converting City vehicles to run on bothnatural gas (a cleaner fuel) andgasoline

n Recycling and re-furbishing waste fromWorks Yard job sites

n Recycling office paper from Cityfacilities

n Minimising use of chemical pesticideson civic property through alternativessuch as using biological agents andselecting pest resistant plants and trees

n Purchasing equipment that results inreduced energy consumption, forexample: programmable thermostats,DDC (direct digital controls) to controlheating, ventilation and airconditioning, electronic ballast toreplace standard fluorescent ballastand energy efficient boilers

n Publishing this guide to environmentalpurchasing.

Turning Talk Into ActionIt is up to each of us to make the City’scommitment to environmental purchasing areality. Individual actions for the good of theenvironment, just like small sums of moneyregularly deposited in a savings account, addup over time and culminate in importantresults. YOU are the key to meaningfulenvironmental change.

The guide is intended to support all staff,including:

n Computer and technical support staffwho advise departments on upgradingcomputers

n Building maintenance supervisors whomake decisions about the type of paintto use or the type of lighting systems toinstall

n Park designers who recommend thetype of play equipment to install

n Staff who purchase office suppliesn Planners who write development permit

guidelines that affect developers’choice of building materials and design

n Civil design engineers who decide whatmaterials to use in building roads

n All other civic employees who makerecommendations and/or purchasingdecisions.

City of Richmond Gas Boy Fueling System



Making Environmental PurchasingDecisionsThis guide will help you to considerenvironmentally sound alternatives whenmaking your purchasing decisions. The nextchapter “Using This Guide” outlines themany resources provided to assist you.

There will always be tradeoffs when makingpurchasing decisions. That’s why the guideprovides criteria for you to judge theenvironmental benefits of items you areconsidering, recognizing that you will alsolook at other non-environmental criteria inmaking your decision. The guide does notimpose strict regulations that force you tochoose costly or inadequate items because oftheir environmental qualities.

This guide will never be a finished product.It will change and grow as new productscome on the market, as technology changesand so on. Updates will be provided in astimely a fashion as possible. If you comeacross new information that can help otherusers, please share it by advising yourmunicipal waste manager or recyclingco-ordinator.

Mike Redpath, Mayor Grey Halsey-Brandt,Dave McLellan and Dave Semple, City ofRichmond.Photo by Mark Patrick

Case Study: Nations in Bloom.

In February 2000 the City of Richmondwon the prestigious international“Nations in Bloom” competition formedium sized cities. The competitionrecognizes communities with exemplaryenvironmental management practices infive areas: enhancement of thelandscape, heritage management,environmentally sensitive practices,community involvement and planningfor the future. Richmond and its citizenswere recognized for their high level ofcommitment to sustaining andenhancing the environment in our City.

As Mayor Halsey-Brandt commented onreceiving the award, “Richmond’sparticipation in Nations in Bloomcelebrates the total commitment of thecommunity and city staff toenvironmental and beautificationprograms.”

Documents

Environmental Purchasing Matters