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Green Procurement

Meeting Policy Requirements

1. Has the department incorporated environmental performance considerations in its procurement decision-making processes?

Yes. Environmental performance consideration has been incorporated in the department’s procurement decision-making processes.

2. Summary of initiatives to incorporate environmental performance considerations in procurement decision-making processes:

During the reporting period of 2008-2009, Infrastructure Canada worked with Public Works and Government Services Canada’s Client Engagement Sector to analyze its spending patterns, and to identify opportunities for improved procurement practices.  In 2009-2010, Infrastructure Canada’s Contracting and Procurement Unit continued to update its contracting systems to identify and track green procurement, and to capture green procurement information for the fiscal year 2010-2011.  The department continues to consider green procurement objectives when purchasing commodities, and to promote the following practices:

Computers, printers and photocopiers:

• Purchasing or leasing energy-efficient equipment from companies with environmental programs that have recycled content and a recycling program;
•  Using multi-function machines to reduce energy consumption;
•  Using recycled toner cartridges;
•  Developing a standard policy on personal, versus shared printers; and
•  Ensuring default settings on the printers and photocopiers are to print double-sided, and print in black ink only.

Furniture:

• Using products that meet or exceed environmental norms established by Public Works and Government Services Canada; and
• Re-using and recycling old furniture.

Office Supplies:

• Using paper that is 30% recycled or higher;
• Ensuring business cards are printed on recycled paper and bear the Eco Logo symbol; and
• Ensuring nameplates are printed on 100% recycled paper and placed in re-usable plastic holders.

Travel and Meetings:

• Using government travel services and encouraging travelers to use sustainable methods of transportation and to select Green hotels;
• Promoting Green meetings within the department;
• Participating in the EcoPass Public-Transit Program;
• Encouraging staff to use other modes of transportation such as cycling and walking, by making showers available at the 90 Sparks Street, Ottawa office location; and
• Promoting the use of video and tele-conferencing as an alternative to travel.

Recycling:

• Implementing material recycling in all locations; and
• All defective and end-of-life telecommunications devices and accessories are sent to the vendors for recycling, where about 20% are re-used as telecommunication devices.  

Contracting:

• Including standard environmental clauses and conditions in services contracts.

3. Results achieved:

Infrastructure Canada’s contracting and procurement team has received analysis reports on amounts spent, and has met with Public Works and Government Services Canada’s Client Engagement Team to investigate areas of procurement that could be “greener”. The IM/IT Division has developed a standard criteria for the use of personal printers, versus shared printers. Templates for letterheads were created electronically to allow letterhead logos to be used with standard recycled paper stock.

4. Contributions to facilitate government-wide implementation of green procurement:

Infrastructure Canada’s Contracting Manager is a member of the Green Procurement Forum, and participated in the inter-departmental “From Strategy to Practice – Focusing Our Efforts” forum on April 23, 2009, where departments shared challenges and focused on new procurement strategies that will continue to incorporate green procurement requirements into our business processes and tools. Infrastructure Canada continues to use Standing Offers and other procurement tools that have green procurement criteria imbedded in them.

Green Procurement Targets

5. Has the department established green procurement targets?

Under consideration. Proposals for initial draft targets need to be reviewed in the context of departmental procurement processes to ensure they will lead to meaningful improvement in green procurement practices.

6. Summary of green procurement targets:

N/A.

7. Results achieved:

Environmental performance considerations have been incorporated in the department’s procurement decision-making processes.

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