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Green Procurement

NSERC is in the initial phase of establishing formal green procurement targets and initiatives. In the meantime NSERC is ensuring compliancy with the Policy on Green Procurement by applying the Green Procurement Principles when acquiring goods and services by utilizing PWGSC’s mandatory “green” procurement tools whenever viable. (I.e. Standing Offers). NSERC makes concerted efforts to consider environmentally friendly products in its procurement processes, in best effort to reduce our carbon footprint.

In the coming year, targets and procedural policies will be established. An in depth review will be done throughout the department as part of the engagement activities in the context of the Policy implementation. This review will be a consultative approach to review staff training, acquisition card programs, multi-functional printer utilization and efficiency and will also identify commodity areas that will form the basis of an initial round of target-setting.

Environmental performance considerations will be embedded into the procurement methodology process whenever viable, taking into consideration best-value, performance, quality and availability. The objective is to make green procurement practices a seamless and integral part of both NSERC and the federal government's best practices.

Even though it has not yet established green procurement targets, NSERC continues its contribution to the protection of the environment by using green procurement standing offers whenever possible, buying high-content recycled paper, and recycling spent batteries as well as empty toner cartridges used in office printers. Other initiatives include documentation on an intranet site rather than printing multiple copies for internal distribution.

Researching further opportunities for green procurement is a continuous process for NSERC.

Part A: Green Procurement Capacity Building

Activity	Target as % (as reported in 2010–11 RPP)	Actual Results as %	Description/Comments
1a. Training for Procurement and Materiel Management Staff	-	-	All procurement personnel will complete the Green Procurement (C215 course) in 2011-12.
1b.Training for Acquisition Cardholders	-	-	In-house alternative training will be developed in 2011-12 and will be delivered to acquisition cardholders in 2012-13. Training will be provided on an ongoing basis as new acquisition cards are issued to employees.
2. Performance Evaluations	-	-	NSERC will identify key managers and functional heads of procurement and material management and will ensure that environmental considerations related to green procurement initiatives are incorporated into their performance objectives for FY 2011-12
3. Procurement Processes and Controls	-	-	NSERC will review its materiel management and procurement procedures and will review system specifications and capability to provide hard data to track monitor and report on green procurement targets and initiatives in line with Government of Canada direction.

Part B: Use of Green Consolidated Procurement Instruments

Good/Service	Target as % (as reported in 2010–11 RPP)	Actual Results as %	Description/Comments
Office Supplies	-	-	NSERC will Increase the use of PWGSC Standing Offers to procure “green” items. Benchmark will be established in 2011-12.
Computer / laptop	-	-	Desktops and laptops are purchased using a Standing Offer call-up.

Part C: Reduction Initiatives for Specific Goods

Consumable/Asset	Target as % Reduction or # per FTE	Actual Results as % Reduction or # per FTE	Description/Comments
Office supplies	-	-	Functional office supplies are re-used as offices are vacated. Employees are strongly encouraged to select from these items at a self-served store location. When possible NSERC purchases recycled paper notebooks for FTE’s. NSERC capitalizes on available opportunities to purchase goods that are representative of best value and are also beneficial to the environment.
Office Furniture	-	-	Surplus furniture resulting from vacated offices is retrofitted, inventoried, stored and reissued. When determining value for money NSERC considers the life-cycle costs of assets rather then focusing only on the up-front acquisition costs.
Batteries	-	-	NSERC has integrated a recovery program for used batteries into its operations.
Paper	-	-	NSERC reduced paper consumption by effectively using computers and other technology. The implementation of the online submission for applications for some of its funding programs has translated into a 28 % saving of printing cost. In addition, all office printing equipment defaults to double sided. The paper used contains recycled fibres. NSERC’s letterhead paper contains vegetable based inks with environmentally friendly varnishes that are a part of the Eco-Mark program.
Printing Cartridges	-	-	NSERC continues to adhere to the toner cartridge recycling program. NSERC’s letterhead paper is printed using vegetable based inks with environmentally friendly varnishes that are a part of the Eco-Mark program.
Paper Agendas, Calendars and Planners	-	-	NSERC has been promoting the use of electronic tools or software such as Microsoft Outlook instead of paper agendas, planners, and calendars. When possible NSERC purchases recycled paper notebooks for FTE’s.
Computers	-	-	Computers are disposed of in an environmentally friendly manner with a strong preference for reuse through initiatives such as the Computers for Schools program and by using PWGSC’s Crown Assets Disposal auction site. When disposal is necessary, NSERC uses approved companies in the provincial e-cycling program.

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