Publication of Sustainable procurement guide and Guide for sustainable procurement of services

The Department of Sustainability, Environment, Water, Population and Communities has released the Sustainable procurement guide and the Guide for sustainable procurement of services. These guides are intended to assist Australian Government procurers include sustainability considerations in all stages of the procurement process, from identifying the business need to disposing of goods.

The Sustainable procurement guide contains guidance on reducing the adverse environmental, social and economic impacts of purchased products and services throughout their life through measures such as using the value for money assessment and understanding the supply chain.

The Guide for sustainable procurement of services contains more detailed information about the issues to consider when procuring services such as financial or consulting, best practice performance criteria that can be used in approaches to market and possible contract requirements. Other specific product and service guides are expected to be published throughout 2013.

These guides deliver on the Australian Government’s commitment under the National Waste Policy: Less Waste, More Resources to embody and promote the principles and practices of sustainable procurement within its own operations.

The Sustainable procurement guide and the Guide for sustainable procurement of services can be accessed on the Department’s website at www.environment.gov.au/wastepolicy/publications/sustainable-procurement-guide.html and www.environment.gov.au/wastepolicy/publications/sustainable-procurement-services.html respectively.

 More information is available at http://www.environment.gov.au/wastepolicy