Bispham Endowed C of E Primary School
Green Procurement Policy
Bispham Endowed C of E Primary School is committed to reducing its
impact on the environment and increasing sustainability whenever
possible. We must consider the environmental impact of products and
services when making procurement decisions.
Our policy covers the following key areas:
 Paper
 Cleaning
 Office Equipment
 Lighting
 Transport
 Furniture
 Energy
 Food and catering
 Gardening
Our main aims are to:
 Use local suppliers where possible.
 Use recycled materials.
 Use items that can be recycled.
 Recycle as much as we can in classrooms, kitchens and staff rooms.
 Reduce overall energy consumption.
 Recycle and dispose of damaged or unwanted items in an appropriate way.
 Promote long lasting, high quality and reusable products.
 Reduce the presence of toxic and hazardous materials and promote use of green products.
Why do we need green procurement and what we will think about:
PAPER
What are the impacts?
Forest destruction and loss of biodiversity.
Energy and water consumption during production.
Emissions to air and water during pulp and paper production.
Chemical consumption and potential environmental contamination during production.
Waste generation during production.
Procurement considerations
 Buy recycled paper or paper based on sustainably harvested virgin fibre.
 Buy paper produced through a process of low energy consumption and emissions.
 Buy paper which avoids of bleaching used in production.
 Reduce paper usage by emailing and sending information electronically.
 Ensure paper recycling bins are provided and used in classrooms and offices.
CLEANING PRODUCTS
What are the impacts?
Some cleaning products may pollute streams and rivers and may take a long time to degrade into
harmless products. Some may not break down at all and may remain in the environment. Some
chemicals may enter the food chain of creatures and even the human food chain. When consumed
or absorbed through the skin some chemicals can be harmful and toxic.
Procurement considerations
 Use cleaning products that are effective at lower temperatures.
 Avoid certain hazardous substances in the product (COSHH).
 Avoid phosphorus and limit biocides in the product.
 Follow the recommended dosages.
 Decrease the use of products through reviewing cleaning plans and techniques.
 Improve the training of cleaning staff (DCC).
 Decrease the amount of packaging used.
 Ensure the packaging used is made from recycled materials and can be recycled.
 Use products made in the UK.
OFFICE EQUIPMENT
What are the impacts?
High energy consumption and resulting Carbon Dioxide (CO2) emissions.
Air, soil and water pollution, ozone formation (smog), effects on aquatic organisms due to
hazardous component e.g. mercury content of LCD displays and flame retardants.
Negative impact on the health of employees due to noise and heat.
Use of energy, resources and harmful emissions related to the production of IT equipment such
as the abstraction of raw materials and the manufacture of components.
Generation of waste material including packaging and the final disposa.l
Procurement considerations
 Buy energy efficient models.
 Restrict amount of hazardous material use in products.
 Consider noise levels.
 Buy products with a longer life.
 Check packaging can be recycled.
 Think 3 R’s when disposing of waste products.
LIGHTING
What are the impacts?
High energy consumption, in all phases, but especially when using indoor lighting.
Potential pollution of air, land and water during the production phase.
Use of materials and hazardous materials.
Generation of waste (hazardous and non-hazardous).
Procurement considerations
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Have energy efficient lighting, which has controls to further reduce energy consumption.
Check lighting systems work as intended i.e. in an energy efficient way.
Purchase replacement lamps with have low energy usage.
Recycle appropriately all waste products.
TRANSPORT
What are the impacts?
Contribution to climate change through the emission of greenhouse gases.
Depletion of resources (especially non renewable fuels).
Air pollution through the emission of other exhaust gases.
Noise pollution.
Generation of waste including oils and tyres.
Generation of waste parts and materials at end the of the vehicle life.
Procurement considerations
 Encourage staff to car share when attending meetings.
 Promote the walk to school campaign for pupils.
FURNITURE
What are the impacts?
Loss of biodiversity, soil erosion and degradation as a result of unsustainable forest management
and illegal logging.
Landscape impact from mining activities.
Depletion of resources due to the use of non-renewable resources such as metals and oil/natural
gas for plastics.
CO2 and other emissions as a result of energy consumption in the production of several materials.
Eutrophication of surface and ground waters as a result of the use of hazardous substances that
can be released during production, use or disposal.
Volatile Organic Compounds emissions as a result of the use of organic solvents.
Waste and packaging waste due to packaging and early replacement of furniture due to a lack of
reparability options, low durability, ergonomics or furniture not fit for purpose.
Procurement considerations
 Buy timber from legal and sustainably managed forests.
 Use materials made partly or totally from recycled materials and/or renewable materials.
 Ensure the materials and furniture packaging can be separated and recycled or the
packaging materials are based on renewable raw materials.
 Buy fit for use, repairable and recyclable furniture.
ELECTRICITY
What are the impacts?
The generation of electricity from fossil fuels is responsible for a substantial proportion of
greenhouse gas and other emissions.
The growing electricity demand combined with the depletion of non renewable sources. Procurement considerations
 Increase the share of electricity from renewable energy sources or biomass.
FOOD AND CATERING SERVICES
What are the impacts?
Impacts on human health and the environment due to pesticides and fertilisers residues present
in water, air, soil and food.
Soil erosion, forest destruction and loss of biodiversity caused by some agricultural practices,
over- intensive animal production and intense fishing and aquaculture practices.
Animal cruelty due to a lack of respect for animal welfare.
High energy and water consumption in food production and processing.
High water and energy consumption of kitchen appliances.
Increased CO2 emission as a result of modes of transport used to carry out the catering services.
Procurement considerations
 Buy organic food or purchase of food coming at least partially from organic sources.
 Buy sustainably-produced or caught aquaculture and marine products.
 Buy meat products with high welfare standards.
 Use seasonal products.
 Procure in bulk or in packaging that has a high recycled content.
 Use reusable cutlery, crockery, glassware and tablecloths.
 Use of environmentally friendly paper product.s
 Limit use of hazardous chemicals and the use of environmentally friendly cleaning and
dishwashing products.
 Buy water and energy efficient kitchen appliances.
 Buy locally produced products or UK made.
GARDENING
What are the impacts?
Soil and water pollution and even toxic effects on the environment due to the inappropriate use
of herbicides, pesticides and fertilisers.
Overuse of effectively non-renewable resources such as peat in soil improvers.
High water consumption.
High organic waste generation.
High packaging waste generation. Procurement considerations
 Avoid the use of peat as a soil improver.
 Limit plant pesticides and use alternative pest control techniques.
 Use, whenever possible, water collected from water butts.
 Procure and plant native plants.
 Ensure appropriate materials are composting.
 Procure products in recycled, compostable, reusable, recyclable or biodegradable
packaging.
 Act on invasive plants and animals.
Policy written and agreed by the School Eco Council – June 2013
Policy approved by the Full Governing Body – July 2013
Policy to be reviewed – June 2016