UK government to buy recycled

From November 1, all central government departments must apply new environmental standards to contracts for a range of products and services. The standards come in response to recommendations made by the government's inter-departmental Sustainable Procurement Group, covering aspects such as recycled content, energy efficiency and biodegradability.

The move to green procurement should represent a significant boost to recycled markets, as the government spends about 13 billion a year on goods and services, including the purchasing of over 21,000 tonnes of copier paper each year. The government believes its commitment to buy recycled paper will save around 350,000 trees, enough energy to heat 10,000 average homes and 300 million gallons of water every year.

To help departments meet the new standards, DEFRA and the Office of Government Commerce have launched a 'Quick Wins'
website providing assistance to public sector buyers.

Secretary of State for the Environment Margaret Beckett told the House of Commons: “Sustainable procurement will not be achieved overnight, but this guidance is a vital first step to put in place the structures to support and encourage all those involved in government procurement in delivering this important commitment.”

Europe

The government's actions come as Europe is currently negotiating two directives concerning public procurement.

The European Environmental Bureau (EEB) last week called for Member States to back green procurement and to speak out against the EU's Competitiveness Council who are suggesting that priorities should be placed on cost not sustainability.

A statement from EEB, a federation of environmental citizens' organisations, said: “The EEB is concerned that public authorities' choice must not be limited to monetary terms only. Public authorities spend one billion Euros yearly in buying products and services (16% of all purchases on the market): this public money should be spent on clean (and socially responsible) products.”

The EEB claimed that the Competitiveness Council intends to “seriously limit the scope for Green Public Procurement” during the negotiations on the directives.