SDC Green Purchasing Policy

All products have an impact on the environment. It may be due to the use of valuable natural resources such as minerals or wood used as raw materials for packaging; or pollution caused during manufacture or processing. Energy use during production or distribution may be excessive particularly if produced many miles from its destination or after disposal problems occur, such as leaching or gas formation. It is important therefore that the products we all use have the minimum impact possible on the environment - they should be sustainable.

Stroud District Council needs to conserve non-renewable resources and prevent environmental damage by using resources without compromising the environment. Our aim is to base the Council's purchasing policy on avoiding the use of environmentally damaging products, packaging and services where a suitable alternative is available and promote the use of the least environmentally damaging products, packaging and services within the District.

Stroud District Council is committed to the following policy:

• Reduce the purchasing of new products by cutting down on waste and repairing or reducing the use of existing products.
• Specify products which are made from recycled materials; can be recycled or reused; can be operated in an energy efficient manner; and cause minimal damage to the environment in their production, distribution, use and disposal, so long as the requirements of value for money and quality are met.
• Ban the future use (by the Council or its contractors) of certain specified environmentally damaging products where an alternative product or method is available. Click here for a list of banned products
• Encourage and promote the purchase of locally produced products or services of local companies, where there are no legislative restrictions, to reduce the impact of transport on the environment.
• Include environmental considerations in our assessment of suppliers and their products, and work together with suppliers to improve environmental performance.
• Include environmental considerations in all contract documentation.
• Raise staff awareness of the environmental issues affecting procurement through the provision of appropriate information and training.
• Establish detailed policies and guidelines for products with a significant environmental impact.
• Review and develop the environmental purchasing policy in accordance with EMAS considerations.