Greener Purchasing

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In this topic:

Why buy greener products?
What are greener products?
How to start greener purchasing
Write a green purchasing policy
Use a product/supplier checklist
Where to shop
Further links

Why buy greener products

Saving energy, saving water, reducing waste and encouraging wildlife all dramatically affect your impact on the environment. But how you spend your money has an even greater effect.

Put simply, if we didn't purchase products where the manufacturing harms the environment or uses up precious resources, there would be no market for them. Producers would either go out of business or would be forced to provide goods responsibly.

This may be an oversimplification, but the essence is true. Providers of goods and services supply what we demand - if we don't buy it they don't provide it.

Greener products

Greener products and services are ones that:

Use the least transport for both raw materials and final products
Use the least energy for production and also for ongoing running costs
Use sustainable raw materials - ones that can be safely re-grown or re-created without using up finite resources (like coal, oil or gas) or creating pollution
Don't utilise harmful chemicals - like toxic liquids, sprays, plastics or inks
Avoid genetic modification of plants and animals
Can be recycled, reused or biodegrade once their life is over
Use ethical, safe and fair human labour

Even better if:

Renewable energy is used in the manufacturing and transport
Raw materials are themselves from recycled sources
Organically grown produce is used
Produce and manufacturing is local - reducing transport to the minimum and supporting your local economy

How to start greener purchasing

You can start greener purchasing straight away. There are three elements:

Have a policy - a simple sentence to remind you and your staff of what you're trying to achieve
Use a checklist to check products and suppliers
Start with local, ethical outlets, and only go further afield if you have to

Write a greener purchasing policy

It helps to have a policy, something simple that allows you, your staff and your customers to have a common understanding of what you're aiming for, eg:

"At [name of your business] we aim to purchase local, greener products that are ethically and safely produced wherever possible. We commit time to checking our products and suppliers to ensure that, as far as possible, we choose to purchase products that require the least energy in production and use, use the least transport, don't use or produce hazardous materials, use sustainable raw materials, involve fair and ethical labour, and can be recycled, reused or biodegrade after use."

Use a checklist

When buying a new product or service use the following checklist, or similar, to help you think the purchase through:

Need:

Do we need to buy this? Could we make do with or adapt something we already have? Can we upgrade what we already have rather than replacing it? Could we lease, hire or rent instead?

Durability:

Will we need this for the short term or the longer term? Will our needs change in the future. Is it better to buy something that will last or has a higher capacity than we need now, or should we buy a temporary solution?

Local production:

Can we get this product or service locally?
Is it made locally as well as supplied locally?
If not, is there a local alternative?

Energy:

Does the product have the lowest energy running requirements
Does the supplier have an energy policy? Do they use renewable energy?

Materials:

Are the materials sourced locally? If not, can they be?
Are the materials from a sustainable source? Is this verified by credentials?
Are the materials recycled?

Packaging:

Does the product have minimum packaging?
Can the packaging be recycled, re-used, returned or will it biodegrade

Ethical production:

Does the producer have an ethical and green approach to production?
Do they treat their workforce well and give something back to the community?
Does the supplier/product show recognised credentials such as those below? See this page at direct.gov for a comprehensive list of recognised 'green' labels and their meanings, or download the Shoppers Guide to Green Labels

FSC Logo Energy Savings Logo

Where to start greener shopping

Obviously this depends on what you want! Depending on what you need, try the following:

Start with your existing suppliers - ask them for their approaches to production, energy, employment, transport and raw materials. Existing suppliers may be greener than you think and asking for their green approach may stimulate them into taking greener action themselves (again, creating the demand stimulates the supply).
Ask for green alternatives. If the products and services you're currently using aren't green enough, ask for alternatives from your existing suppliers.
Remember that local is better - it involves less transport and therefore less energy consumption and carbon production. It also means that your spend is benefitting your local economy, which ultimately benefits you! Use local directories, internet sites and world of mouth - see the links below.
Can you reuse something? Try charity shops, reclamation yards, the Furniture Recycling Network (http://www.frn.org.uk/default.asp) or recycling centres to re-use things others no longer need.

Links for greener purchasing

Try the following links for green gadgets and goods.

Electrical goods
http://www.energysavingtrust.org.uk/energy_saving_products/find_an_energy_saving_recommended_retailer This page lists the Energy Saving Trust's recommended retailers guide.

Recycled products
http://www.recyclenow.com/shopping/index.html
Recycle Now is a government sponsored site for all things to do with recycling - this page details where you can shop for recycled products and lists a wide range of products as examples

http://www.recycledproducts.org.uk/view/index.cfm
This site allows you to search for products made from recycled materials by product type or browse by category. It covers everything from wood and aggregate to coasters, ink, animal bedding and serving bowls!

Fairtrade products
http://www.fairtrade.org.uk/products/default.aspx
The fairtrade site explains the fairtrade initiative, lists the vast range of retail, wholesale and catering products available and links you to suppliers by product type.

Greener cleaning
http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/Environmentandgreenerliving/Greenershopping/DG_064425 This page from direct.gov details greener ways to clean, greener products to buy and natural cleaning alternatives.

General
http://www.greenconsumerguide.com/commercial.php
This is the business section of the green consumer guide site.

Regional food and drink
http://www.northumbria-larder.co.uk/
Northumbria Larder is the regional food and drink group through which you can access a huge range of suppliers of local food and drink.

Quick Links

Green Building Case Study – The Hytte: 163 Kb; Green Building Case Study – The Hytte has won a Gold Award. It is a luxury norwegian inspired log construction with a turf roof and ground source heat pump.
Eco-Products Case Study – Low Urpeth: 146 Kb; Eco-Products Case Study – Low Urpeth have earned a Silver Award having introduced a range of eco-cleaning materials and water saving systems.
Light Pollution Case Study – Border Forest Caravan Park: 157 Kb; Light Pollution Case Study – Border Forest Caravan Park is on the edge of the Kielder Forest. As a large rural park they were very aware of the effect their external lighting was having on the local night sky. Their efforts to shade lights and reduce light pollution has won them a Silver Award.
Composting Case Study – Simonburn Tearooms: 177 Kb; Composting Case Study – Simonburn Tearooms have earned a Silver Award having reduced their general waste by 90% following the introduction of a three bin recycling system.
Special Diets Case Study - The Byre Vegetarian B+B: 147 Kb; Special Diets Case Study - The Byre Vegetarian B+B is an all round green B&B, serving only vegetarian food. There is a sound environmental principle behind vegetarianism - meat production requires significantly more land area per product.
Appliances Case Study – West Longridge Cottages: 137 Kb; Appliances Case Study – West Longridge Cottages
Solar Hot Water Case Study – 8 St Aidens Park: 140 Kb; Solar Hot Water Case Study – 8 St Aidens Park has installed solar thermal to generate hot water for their 4 diamond bed and breakfast.
Self-catering Case Study - Durham Cottages: 161 Kb; Self-catering Case Study - Durham Cottage has won a Bronze Award for their overall green approach which includes recycling, green housekeeping and maintenance and excellent guest information on walking and cycling.
North East Farmers' Markets: 81 Kb; A PDF factsheet of the dates of Farmers' Markets throughout North East England
Car Free Case Study – Argument Cottage: 127 Kb; Car Free Case Study – Argument Cottage have won a Silver Award. The owners have excelled in providing the resources to allow their guests to give the car a holiday. They have produced an 8 day itinerary of suggestions that provide details of interesting places to visit in the local area.
Greener Purchasing Case Study – Killhope: 175 Kb; Greener Purchasing Case Study – Killhope Lead Mining Museum is a GOLD award winner. They have an excellent overall range of measures but the case study focusses particularly on their green purchasing strategy for the museum shop which includes a wide range of ethically sourced and recycled products.
Self-catering Case Study – Springhill Farm Cottages: 166 Kb; Self-catering Case Study – Springhill Farm Cottages has won a Silver Award through a range of green methods - including a reed bed waster water system.
Buyers Invite to Greener Suppliers event: 236 Kb; Invite for buyers who wish to attend the Meet the Buyers greener purchasing event at Wetherby Racecourse, Leeds, July 2nd 2008.
Habitat Case Study – Low Cornriggs: 171 Kb; Habitat Case Study – Low Cornriggs self catering is a Silver Award winner. The farm is managed in a traditional way and there are parts which are designated as Sites of Special Scientific Interest. These are species rich upland hay meadows and the business is involved with the AONB Hay Time project. They are working closely with the AONB to ensure the preservation and enhancement of this rare habitat.
Green Building Case Study – County Durham Tourism Partnership: 131 Kb; Green Building Case Study – County Durham Tourism Partnership have won a Gold Award for the construction of their new offices. Features include rammed earth construction, wood pellet fed biomass boilers and rainwater collection for toilet flushing and irrigating the buildings sedum roof.
Renewable Energy Case Study – Whitelee Cottages: 173 Kb; Renewable Energy Case Study – Whitelee Cottages have won a Silver award for their outstanding use of renewable energy. They have a 2.5kw wind turbine, solar water heating, solar photovoltaic panels and two ground source heat pumps.
Wildlife Case Study – Old School B&B: 141 Kb; Wildlife Case Study – Old School B&B has won awards in the Winner of the North East B&B of the year as well as a Gold Award winner in the Green Tourism Business Scheme - for its Hedgehog Hospital.
Insulation Case Study – Boot and Shoe Cottage: 151 Kb; Insulation Case Study – Boot and Shoe Cottage have a Silver Award through a range of good environmental practices which include sheeps wool loft insulation.
Pub Case Study - Twice Brewed Inn: 157 Kb; Pub Case Study - Twice Brewed Inn has won a Silver Award for a range of measure which include local produce, recycling, environmental cleaning, a display case for local artists and planting hundreds of trees in a ten acre plot.
Combined Heat & Power Case Study – Gisborough Hall: 111 Kb; Combined Heat & Power Case Study – Gisborough Hall have a range of energy conservation measures and a Combined Heat and Power System which is up to 85% efficient which together have earned them a Silver Award.
B&B Case Study - Saughy Rigg: 165 Kb; B&B Case Study - Saughy Rigg. How one B&B earned a Silver Award through extensive use of renewables (solar, ground source and biomass) and good use of local produce.
Green Business Case Study - Northumberland Cottages: 178 Kb; Green Business Case Study - Northumberland Cottages are a letting agency who are aiming to become a Green Business. The business may join the GTBS through a stepping stone approach known as Going Green “Committed to the GTBS”
Marketing Case Study - Wansbeck Caravan Park: 153 Kb; Marketing Case Study - Wansbeck Caravan Park has attained a bronze award through a range of basic environmental measures and particularly through good communication with customers.
Biodiversity Case Study – East Briscoe Farm Cottages: 138 Kb; Biodiversity Case Study – East Briscoe Farm Cottages have won a Gold Award for their biodiversity. These self-catering cottages have a strong focus on managing their woodland and surrounding grounds with a sensitivity towards the flora and fauna.
Greener Purchasing Case Study – Polemonium: 216 Kb; Greener Purchasing Case Study – Polemonium Plantery is a GOLD winner. This case study focuses on their outstanding commitment to local sourcing, particularly of local organic milk delivered in re-usable glass bottles
Hotel Case Study – Dustanburgh Castle Hotel: 179 Kb; Hotel Case Study – Dustanburgh Castle Hotel is a GOLD award winner for their overall excellent green measures.
Composting Case Study – Newt Cottage: 144 Kb; Composting Case Study – Newt Cottage have earned a Gold Award for features including the use of sheeps wool insulation, use of eco paints, a heat pump, solar panels, use of green energy tariffs and low energy lighting. The owners supply homegrown organic produce, use fair trade items, recycled products recycling facilities such as composting systems as well as provide excellent walking and wildlife information. One of the most novel features in the development is the option to use a COMPOST TOILET.
Re-use Case Study – Ninebanks Youth Hostel: 144 Kb; Re-use Case Study – Ninebanks Youth Hostel has gained a Gold Award for their excellent environmental practices. They are particularly strong on re-use: their extension was built from reclaimed stone, one set of their tables and chairs came from the national gallery and even their curtain have been reclaimed.
Biomass Case Study – Strathmore Barns Woodchip: 168 Kb; Biomass Case Study – Strathmore Barns have won a Silver Award for good practice including a 100kw woodchip boiler powering 51 radiators and 9 bathrooms which runs on waste from a local kitchen manufacturer.
Energy Saving Lighting Case Study – Haggerston Castle: 129 Kb; Energy Saving Lighting Case Study – Haggerston Castle have earned a Silver Award having replaced the light bulbs in their main entertainment complex with energy saving units which will save around £600 of electricity per year.
Local Produce Case Study - Grindon Cartshed: 153 Kb; Local Produce Case Study - Grindon Cartshed have a passionate commitment to the environment and are particularly strong on supplying local produce, cutting out food miles and the middle man, supporting the local economy and introducing guests to a real taste of the North East
Suppliers Invite to Greener Buyers Event: 350 Kb; Suppliers invite to greener purchasing event held at Wetherby Racecourse 2nd July 2008
Ground Source Heat Pump Case Study – Deneholme: 143 Kb; Ground Source Heat Pump Case Study – Deneholme use solar water heating, solar panels and a 37kw ground source heat pump to heat the Edwardian mansion. Other measures include a rainwater harversting system for flushing the toilets.
Green Gardening Case Study - Birkheads Secret Garden: 135 Kb; Green Gardening Case Study - Birkheads Secret Garden hold a Silver Award. The owner is a qualified garden designer and many different techniques have been employed in the garden to minimise the impact the operations are having on the environment.
Guest Information Case Study - Pasture Cottage: 134 Kb; Guest Information Case Study - Pasture Cottage is a Silver Award winner for overall very good measures. It scored well across the whole GTBS scheme and provides particularly good wildlife information for guests.
Green Business Case Study - Firwood: 176 Kb; Green Business Case Study - Firwood has achieved a Green Tourism Business Scheme Silver award through general good practice in most areas, with particular focus on energy, water and waste.
Greener Purchasing Case Study – West Coates BB: 400 Kb; Greener Purchasing Case Study – West Coates Bed and Breakfast is a GOLD winner for their overall excellent environmental practices. Not only is local sourcing a key part of their green strategy but local producers are promoted on their breakfasts menus and the proprietor gives cookery lessons to promote local ingredients and local dishes.

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