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Green Procurement

SSHRC made concerted efforts to consider environmentally friendly products in its procurement processes, and to reduce its carbon footprint. In 2010-11, SSHRC entered into the initial phase of establishing formal green procurement targets and initiatives. In the meantime, SSHRC has ensured compliance with the Policy on Green Procurement by applying the policy’s green procurement principles, including using Public Works and Government Services Canada’s (PWGSC) mandatory green procurement tools whenever viable (i.e., for standing offers) in acquiring goods and services.

In the coming year, SSHRC will establish green procurement targets and procedural policies. An in-depth review will be performed throughout the organization as part of engagement activities related to policy implementation. Through this consultative approach, SSHRC will review staff training, acquisition card programs, multifunctional printer use and efficiency, and will 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 and 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 SSHRC’s best practices.

SSHRC has also continued to contribute 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 posting documentation on an intranet site rather than printing multiple copies for internal distribution.

SSHRC also continues to research further opportunities for green procurement as part of a continuous process.

Part A: Green Procurement Capacity Building

Activity	Target as %	Actual Results as %	Description/Comments
1a. Training for Procurement and Materiel Management Staff	-	-	All procurement personnel will complete the Green Procurement course (C215) 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	-	-	SSHRC will identify key managers and functional heads of procurement and materiel management, and will ensure that environmental considerations related to green procurement initiatives are incorporated into their performance objectives for 2011-12.
3. Procurement Processes and Controls	-	-	SSHRC will review its materiel management and procurement procedures, and will review system specifications and capability in order to provide hard data for use in tracking, monitoring and reporting on green procurement targets and initiatives in line with Government of Canada directives.

Part B: Use of Green Consolidated Procurement Instruments

Good/Service	Target as %	Actual Results as %	Description/Comments
Office Supplies	-	-	SSHRC will increase its use of PWGSC standing offers to procure green items. Benchmarks will be established in 2011-12.
Computers/Laptops	-	-	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 Full-Time Equivalent (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-serve store. When possible, SSHRC purchases recycled paper notebooks for use by FTEs. SSHRC capitalizes on available opportunities to purchase goods that represent best value and are also beneficial to the environment.
Office Furniture	-	-	Surplus furniture resulting from vacated offices is retrofitted, inventoried, stored and re-issued. When determining value for money, SSHRC considers the life cycle costs of assets rather than focusing only on upfront acquisition costs.
Batteries	-	-	SSHRC has integrated a recovery program for used batteries into its operations.
Paper	-	-	SSHRC reduced its paper consumption by effectively using computers and other technology. The implementation of online submission of applications for some of SSHRC’s funding opportunities has translated into a 28 per cent savings in printing costs. In addition, all office printing equipment has been set to default to double–sided printing, and the paper used contains recycled fibres. SSHRC’s letterhead paper contains vegetable-based inks with environmentally friendly varnishes that are a part of the Eco Mark program.
Printing Cartridges	-	-	SSHRC continues to adhere to the toner cartridge recycling program.
Paper Agendas, Calendars and Planners	-	-	SSHRC has been promoting the use of electronic tools or software such as Microsoft Outlook instead of paper agendas, planners and calendars. When possible, SSHRC purchases recycled paper notebooks for use by FTEs.
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 Distribution auction site. When disposal is necessary, SSHRC uses approved companies from the provincial e-cycling program.

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