South East Sustainable Schools Sustainable Procurement in Schools Workshop November 12 th 2009

Who we are - Rita Godfrey – Sustainable Procurement Consultant Social Accounting Consultant Engauge Programme Specialist Ngaire Takano – Traceable and Sustainable Procurement Consultant Product and ingredient Consultant Advisor and Consultant to Local Authorities, Schools and Businesses Eco School Assessor

We can ALL work together to meet a Sustainable Society

What are you juggling with? Getting support? Where to start? Decision making? Achievement and measurement? Introducing the subject into the curriculum? What do you want from today?

What is Procurement? Buying of goods and services on the best possible terms. Historically having a strong focus on price and quality.

Sustainable Procurement Sustainable Procurement is a process whereby organisations meet their needs for goods, services, works and utilities in a way that achieves value for money on a whole life basis in terms of generating benefits not only to the organisation, but also to society and the economy, whilst minimising damage to the environment.

Sustainable procurement means? Buying power - finding the balance of environmental excellence, social equality and economic prosperity. What products are made of, where they come from, and who has made them. Do we need to make a purchase? Raising awareness - changing the way we and our suppliers view buying products & services.

Sustainability Environment Social Economic What is Sustainable Procurement?

Impact on poverty – e.g. Fair Trade Reducing exploitation and improving working conditions Impacts on local community Are overseas products produced by communities or indigenous peoples – have their needs been addressed SOCIAL

Short term – reduced buying Long term – fairly priced, long term products Pooled impact - collective buying, raised awareness in community Combined impact – FSC wood, MSC fish ECONOMIC

Reduce buying – do you really need it? Recycled goods e.g. paper Long life products e.g. low energy light bulbs, re chargeable batteries Reduced impact product – e.g. biodynamic, organic, permaculture and slow food ENVIRONMENT

Breakout session one: What help do you require from today? Input other questions for the attendees?

Importance of traceability Traceability is the ability to track sources from final products through the supply chain to – as close to their origins. A clear sense of all the links in the products’ supply chain is highly important for the procurement manager to assess. Traceability has an important part of sustainable procurement – whether it is paper, cleaning equipment or even services you procure.

Legislation In 2005 UK Government pledged it will be a performance leader in sustainable procurement by May European Commission adopting Fair Trade Communication Communication – within both the public and private sector. This is for promoting sustainable products and development. CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme (formerly known as the Carbon Reduction Commitment) is UK’s mandatory climate change and energy saving scheme. Sustainable procurement will be included in this. Starts April Reference – May Reference: CRC Energy Efficiency Scheme -

Why should schools consider sustainable procurement? Cost Savings Reputation Achieving organisational goals Rationalising the supplier base Ensuring security of supply Meeting required Governmental Legislation

Schools carbon footprint 2004

There is help available

SusGauge

Engauge wants to help schools achieve and teach environmental, social and economic stability to safeguard a future for all

Some areas to consider sustainable procurement Purchasing –Books stationary materials –PC’s Services – Water, Gas, Electric School vehicles Accommodation Third party hire – use of sustainable products within the school premises.

Potential Areas for Consideration

Alternatives to present procurement models Buying groups – working with other schools Working within the school model – what can the school buy and sell to parents? Present procurement models Direct from suppliers Consortia Procurement Styles

Paper use within offices – Consider traceability route of paper from start to finish and show the route. It has necessary certification – Deliver, collect and recycle paper. Will ensure the paper is recycled. Provide learning resources to the school.

Art and Craft Equipment Look at items already available – what can be reused. Source from recycling centres that are open to purchase items. Encourage parents to deposit recycling items that the school could use. Encourage pupils to bring in own items to use from project work

IT Equipment Procuring equipment that is designed with energy saving – i.e. switch off when not in use. Uses less power to begin with. Supply commitment under the WEE directive. Looking at where products are made. Do they use recycled items within new products?

‘ Consumerism is the new democracy, the pound in your pocket has more influence than your vote’

Tips for Sustainable Procurement Keep the strategy simple don’t overwhelm people with too much lengthy guidance. Train relevant staff and buy in from staff. Plan ahead – identify your requirements early to get the best deal. Know your own power – how much can you spend - are there limits?

Tips for Sustainable Procurement Reduce, Reuse, Repair, Recycle & Renew Don’t buy unless you need to – does anyone have a spare? Is there something with less negative environmental impact? Is there something that is longer lasting?

Tips for Sustainable Procurement Involve the whole school Best good practice model Get students involved Teaching and Learning Communicate your vision Sustainable procurement policy

Tips for Sustainable Procurement Don’t spend hours saving a pound – consider the total cost of procurement. Look for alternatives – branded products may not always be the best. Improve your buying power – work collaboratively wherever you can.

Sustainable Policy Introduce the concept. - Where do you want to be? How do you want to get there? Where and who can help? How to integrate within the whole school community. Monitoring and measurement – ongoing.

Workshop = facilitation on Procurement Policy Break up into groups to discuss what areas and steps that need to be considered. Giving the attendees a base in how to support the schools. Review – spend 15mins on what to look at and then come back and share the ideas in a group.

Any