LUTON BOROUGH
COUNCIL
ENVIRONMENTAL
PURCHASING
POLICY
CONTENTS
BUYING A BETTER FUTURE
LUTON BOROUGH COUNCIL - ENVIRONMENTAL
PURCHASING POLICY ( For further information contact Trevor
Evans tel 546828)
PAPER
OFFICE EQUIPMENT
TIMBER
PROTECTING THE OZONE LAYER
ENERGY EFFICIENCY
PESTICIDES
PEAT
CLEANING MATERIALS
VEHICLES
WORKING WITH SUPPLIERS AND CONTRACTORS
BUYING A BETTER FUTURE
A Guide to Environmentally-Friendly
Purchasing
Foreword
Luton Borough Council has a strong and lasting commitment to protect the
environment and will endeavour to reduce environmental damage. The Council
believe it is especially important to review the effect of our own practices and
welcome the introduction of this purchasing guide.
The guide will ensure that Luton Borough Council remains a responsible and
conscientious consumer.
Introduction
This guide has been designed to provide practical help to all purchasing or
specifying staff to assist them to buy or specify products which cause the least
environmental damage.
It sets out Council policy on environmental purchasing and gives tips and advice on
how to find products which will be effective, of value for money and do least harm to
the environment.
Common Questions on Environmental Purchasing
Most people would like to be “greener” consumers, but are often worried by issues
such as cost, quality, legal requirements and misleading “green” claims about a
product. Here are answers to some common questions.
Don’t “green” products cost more?
There can be significant cost savings from taking an environmentally aware
approach to purchasing. “Green” products are often more energy efficient, and cost
less in the long term. If you take the full “life-cycle” cost it is often better to pay
slightly more initially to secure the long-term financial benefits.
There is a rapidly growing market for environmentally-sensitive products. The costs
are falling. For example, recycled paper now costs the same or less than virgin
paper. As a large consumer we can lead the market for “greener” products and
benefit from the reduced prices.
Buying “Green” also means buying less. There are a number of ways of reducing
consumption of new products. You could repair or reuse existing equipment (e.g.
office furniture), specify more durable and reusable items (eg. Rechargeable
batteries, long life light bulbs) or change working practices to reduce the needs for
goods.
I’m concerned about the quality and performance of “green” products. How
can I be sure that these products will work?
It is important that all products perform satisfactorily. Quality remains a key
consideration in the purchase and specification of products. There have been
substantial improvements in “green” technology and many excellent and effective
alternatives are available. We can trial new products and working practices, or
research best practice in other organisations.
It is also worth re-examining our quality thresholds. Do we really need to use glossy
paper, do our cleansing materials need artificial perfumes?.
Many manufacturers make claims and counter claims about the “green
credentials” of their products. How do I know which products are the least
damaging to the environment?.
All products cause environmental damage. But some cause less damage than
others. The best way to assess a product is through a “life-cycle analysis” of its
impact on the environment, ie: at the production, distribution, consumption and
disposal stages. There are agreed and certified standards for many products. The
Guide points out the standards for many products. This guide points out the
standards for many products and also highlights some of the misleading “green”
labels to look out for.
Can the Council impose environmental conditions on contractors. Would this
disadvantage the DSOs?.
It is perfectly legal to include environmental conditions in a contract to provide a
service to the Council so long as they meet these conditions:
 they apply equally to all potential contractors;
 they are not anti-competitive: that is, they do not make it unreasonably difficult for
outside contractors to bid for contracts;
 they do not specify brand products (they should refer to generic product types or
ingredients);
 they do not refer to “non-commercial” matters. These concern issues such as the
country of origin of the contractor and their political affiliations.
The inclusion of strict environmental requirements in a contract should not
disadvantage DSOs who will have a history of working with the Council and a
commitment to the environment.
Can the Council impose environmental conditions on suppliers?
It is perfectly legal to include environmental considerations in the specification of the
goods and products we want from suppliers. The same conditions as for selecting
contractors apply.
The Council can specify and purchase products to exacting environmental standards
so long as we obtain value for money and the quality of the products is satisfactory.
We can also ask suppliers what steps they are taking to reduce the environmental
impact of their products and indicate the sort of goods we would like to buy in the
future. This will encourage suppliers to develop their own environmental policies.
Luton Borough Council
Environmental
Purchasing Policy
The Council is committed to the following policy:
1.
Phase out or Ban the use (by the Council or it’s contractors) of certain
specified environmentally damaging products where an alternative product or
method is available. These products are:
 ozone depleting chemicals
 tropical hardwood which is not independently certified as coming from a
well managed forest
 pesticides on the UK ‘Red List’ and EC ‘Black List’.
2.
Continually review our direct purchases and its contract specifications with
the intention of reducing the environmental impact of its direct and indirect
purchases.
3.
Reduce the purchasing of new products by cutting down on waste and
repairing or reusing existing products.
4.
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.
5.
Include environmental considerations in our assessment of suppliers and
their products, and work together with suppliers to improve environmental
performance.
6.
Include environmental considerations in all contract documentation.
7.
Raise staff awareness of the environmental issues affecting procurement
through the provision of appropriate information and training.
8.
Meet relevant statutory requirements and set the standard for best
environmental purchasing.
9.
Establish detailed policies and guidelines for products with a significant
environmental impact.
PAPER
Policy
Luton Borough Council will use 100% recycled unbleached paper from post
consumer (used) waste. Where the performance of such paper proves
unsatisfactory, paper of a lower percentage of recycled content should be
substituted. The aim should always be to use the maximum proportion of recycled
content without reducing the performance. Chlorine bleaching of paper is not
permitted. Specify recycled paper when contracting out printing.
Reasons
About 1/3 of all consumer waste is paper. Most of this ends up in expensive and
ugly landfill sites. Using recycled paper cuts down on waste. The production of
recycled paper also uses approximately half the energy used in the manufacture of
virgin paper. Chlorine bleaching of paper to make it white produces residues which
harm rivers and streams. Chlorine bleaching is more common for recycled paper so
make sure that you specify recycled paper which is unbleached or oxygen bleached.
Green Speak
Many stationery and paper suppliers make environmental claims which are
misleading or false. Here are some terms to look out for.
‘Sustainable’ paper
Some suppliers and retailers say that paper is ‘sustainable’ because “for every tree
used another is planted”. But in practice, natural, diverse forests are replaced with
single species plantations, which can only be used to produce more paper. The
large scale planting of single crop forests can acidify the soil and destroy natural
habitats for wildlife. ‘Sustainable’ pulp is virgin pulp. The only way to overcome
these problems is to reduce consumption and use recycled paper.
‘Recyclable’ paper
This nonsense claim is simply an attempt to pull wool over customers’ eyes because
all paper is recyclable!
Tips on saving paper
Do you need to receive your own copies of newspapers/periodicals/journals? Why
not circulate them or cancel the order. Cancel mail for staff who no longer work for
the Council. Use scrap pads for drafting and messages, keep data on computer,
telephone rather than write. Envelopes cannot be recycled because of the gum and
plastic used, so reuse them with gummed address labels. Faxing short letters is
quicker and cheaper than using the Royal Mail.
Office equipment
Policy
The Council will not buy typewriter correction fluids, spraymount adhesives or glues
which contain ozone depleting solvents.
The Council will specify office products which are recycled, reusable/refillable, long
life or recyclable.
The Council will use re-manufacture photocopier and laser printer toner cartridges,
refillable highlighter and marker pens, and files made from recycled paper.
Reasons
Every office can contribute to greener purchasing. In many cases, you will also save
money and lessen the health and safety risks to staff.
Typewriter correction fluids
Use water based correction fluids (which don’t need thinners), or try to cut down on
your used of such products.
Aerosol mount adhesives
These are aerosols used to mount photos on any surface. Use products which are
free from ozone depleters such as CFC and HCFC.
Toner Cartridges
Toner cartridges for photocopiers and laser printers can be re-manufactured to a
quality which matches or exceeds the original. You can make substantial savings
from using these products and the used cartridge does not end up in an expensive
landfill site. A corporate recycling scheme is being considered.
A range of greener items such as non-toxic solvent free glues, refillable pens, solar
powered calculators and files and folders made from recycled paper are available.
Timber
Policy
The Council will not purchase or specify the use of any tropical hardwood, unless it
is essential to obtain a match and an alternative matching material is unavailable. In
this case tropical hardwood should only be purchased which has a certificate from
the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) which verifies its source to be from a
sustainably managed woodland.
The Council encourage the purchase and use of timber (soft wood or hardwood)
which has been independently certified as coming from responsibly managed forests
as this timber becomes available.
Reasons
Forests and woodlands around the world are being destroyed. This leads to the
extinction of increasing numbers of plants and animal species, as well as excess
carbon dioxide which contributes to global warming. Conversion to farmland,
flooding for dams and the extraction of timber are all to blame. Britain is a major
importer of tropical hardwood. In 1991 we imported over half of al the mahogany
exported from Brazil.
There are many claims and counter claims about the sustainability of tropical
forests. A 1988 report from the International Tropical Timber Organisation
demonstrated that less than 1% of tropical hardwood comes from well managed
sources. On this basis it is best to avoid using any tropical hardwood.
Temperate (Non-Tropical) hardwoods may also come from poorly managed forests.
We are concerned about wood from coniferous forests in Northern Europe, North
Asia and North America which recent research shows to be of great importance to
the control of global warming.
Independent timer certification is the best way of verifying that a timber is from
responsibly managed source.
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an international body which defines
sustainable forestry standards and oversees certification. It has developed 10
principles of forest management based on respect for the law, land tenure, rights of
indigenous peoples and long term economic, social and ecological well-being.
These principles apply equally to tropical and temperate forests and do not
discriminate against Third World producers. Many leading suppliers and retailers
(including B&Q, J. Sainsbury and Boots) are committed to work towards only using
and selling timber that has been independently certified.
What Can We Do?
Ask the supplier where the wood has come from and whether it is managed
according to a clearly defined plan.
Challenge labels such as “certified” or “well managed” if they do not carry the FSC
logo.
Did You Know?
The two types of wood “hard” and “soft” do not necessarily relate to the density or
strength of the wood.
“Hardwoods” are derived from the trees of the botanical group of plants known as
Angiosperms. “Softwoods” derive from the group called Gymnosperms. The
division is based on the way in which trees reproduce. For example, balsa is
technically a hardwood.
Common names such as teak and mahogany are used for a large number of
species which have often been lumped together even though they may come from
different parts of the world. This means that consumers end up buying extremely
rare or endangered species under common names.
Protecting the Ozone Layer
Policy
The Council will not buy products which contain ozone depleting substances or have
used these substances in their production or packaging.
The Council will reduce its use of ozone depleting gases in fridges, air conditioning
and as solvents.
All products containing ozone depleters will be maintained and disposed of
professionally to ensure minimal leaks.
Reasons
The ozone layer, high in the earth’s atmosphere, protects the planet’s surface from
harmful (cancer causing) ultraviolet rays from the sun. Chlorfluorocarbons (CFCs)
and other man-made chemicals have been found to damage the ozone layer. There
are now world-wide agreements to reduce their use. The Council will do everything
it can to reduce its use of these chemicals.
The main chemicals which effect the ozone layers are:
CFC gases: Used in foams, aerosols, refrigerators and air conditioning.
Halon: Used in fire extinguishers.
1.1.1 trichloroethane: Used as a solvent in adhesives, typewriter correction fluids
and paints.
Aerosols
The Council has successfully stopped using aerosols which use CFCs as a
propellant. The next stage is to replace all aerosols with pump action sprays or nonspray products as all propellants in aerosols contribute to global warming, and
several, such as HCFC’s are also potent ozone depleters.
Refrigeration
CFCs are used as a coolant and are also contained in the insulating foam of
refrigeration units. A typical domestic fridge contains 300 grams of CFCs.
The main alternatives are HCFCs (hydrochlorofluorocarbons) and HFCs
(hydrofluorocarbons). HFCs contain no chlorine and have no impact on the ozone
layer. HCFCs do some damage to the ozone layer due to their chlorine content, but
this is less than 5% of the damage caused by CFCs. However, both HCFCs and
HFCs add to the problem of global warming and will be phased out eventually. New
alternatives, based on butane and propane are being developed and are available.
Ensure you specify CFC/HFC/HCFC free refrigeration.
Old fridges must be disposed of carefully to ensure the CFC gases do not leak.
Solvents
Ozone depleting solvents are used for cleaning metals, in typewriter correction fluids
/ thinners and in paints, adhesives and varnishes. They are also used in the
manufacture of electrical equipment such as televisions, videos and computers.
There are many acceptable alternatives available. Check with your supplier.
Halon Fire Extinguishers
Halon can be up to 10 times as destructive as CFC gases. For this reason the
Council does not use halon fire extinguishers.
Foam
CFC 11 has been used in the past as a “blowing” agent to make the plastic foam
used in hamburger cartons. Styrofoam cups, ceiling and wall insulation and others.
The gas inside these materials is not a major threat to the ozone layer as very little
escapes. The major problem is the CFC 11 gas which escapes during the
manufacturing process. These is no need to use these products. Virtually all
furniture foams are now CFC free. Alternative packaging which will biodegrade and
alternative insulating materials are available.
Air Conditioning
The majority of air conditioning units use HCFC R22. While this is an ozone
depleting chemical it is not so harmful as CFCs. The only way to stop using this
chemical will be to replace the air conditioning systems. In the meantime we must
ensure that the units are regularly serviced to ensure there are no leaks.
Computers
During the manufacture of circuit boards, CFCs have been used to ‘wash’ the
circuitry. IBM have discontinued this, but cheap products may not. Check that no
ozone depleters are used in manufacture.
Energy Efficiency
Policy
The Council will buy the most energy efficient appliances available.
Specifically the Council will:
 buy rechargeable or long life batteries with low mercury content;
 replace standard light bulbs with energy saving compact fluorescent lamps; and
 ensure that all new personal computer equipment incorporates energy reduction
features to satisfy the US Energy Star Standard.
Reasons
The energy we use produces carbon dioxide, which is a key contributor to one of the
most pressing environmental problems of our time: global warming. Reducing our
energy consumption will reduce the amount of carbon dioxide we produce, and save
money.
Appliances: New technology and modified designs have reduced the amount of
electricity used by fridges, freezers and kettles. A switch to more energy-efficient
appliances can achieve big savings.
When buying new appliances:
 Ask suppliers for energy labelling of appliances.
 Ask suppliers for details of energy consumption.
 Evaluate appliances on a whole life basis, (purchase price, running costs,
maintenance costs, disposal costs).
Personal computers: The US Environmental Protection Agency has introduced an
Energy Star Standard to encourage manufacturers to produce equipment that enters
a low power stand-by state when the machine is inactive. The US Government only
buys up to 70% electricity costs. The US Government only buys computers to this
standard so there is a wide supply of suitable personal computers, printers and
monitors available.
Lighting: Energy saving compact fluorescent lamps last longer than conventional
bulbs and use less power. They save money in the long term. For example, a 20W
fluorescent bulb will give 70 hours light for 10 pence. The equivalent tungsten bulb
will only give 14 hours light.
Batteries: Until recently normal batteries contained the toxic heavy metals,
cadmium and mercury, which leached into the soil when batteries were disposed of
in landfill sites. Since 1994, they are now made from zinc and carbon which, whilst
less toxic, cannot be recycled and still have to be thrown away. Disposable batteries
require 50 times more energy to manufacture than they release during their life-time.
Rechargeable batteries require the same energy to manufacture as disposables, but
they can be re-used up to 1,000 times. These should be recycled and not thrown
away. Recharging using a solar-powered recharger reduces their impact on the
environment further still.
The use of batteries should be avoided where possible. However, if they are
absolutely necessary then rechargeable batteries should be used.
Did you Know?
It is a myth that it is cheaper to leave electric appliances and lights on for a few
minutes rather than switch them off.
Pesticides
Policy
The Council will use a variety of pest control methods so that the extent and toxicity
of pesticides used is reduced. It will not use any pesticide containing UK “Red-List”
or EC “Black-List” chemicals.
The Council will not use wood preservatives or wood treated with preservatives
containing pentachlorophenol (PCP), lindane or tributyltin oxide (TBTO).
It will ensure that all pesticides are selected and used according to the requirements
of the Control of Substances Hazardous to Health Regulations (COSHH 1988) and
the Control of Pesticides Regulations (1986).
Non-residual pesticides are preferred.
Reasons
Pesticides are used to control unwanted weeds, insects and animals. They include
herbicides, insecticides, rodenticides, and wood preservatives. Unfortunately, some
of the most effective pesticides in common use are harmful to people or the
environment. Illegal pesticides, and the misuse of approved pesticides can be
harmful to users, other people in the area and local wildlife. Nationally there are
some 4000 acute poisonings from pesticides each year. Pesticides are particularly
dangerous if they enter water supplies. Just one teaspoon can contaminate the
water supplies of 4000 people for an hour. For these reasons the Government
strictly controls the use of certain pesticides on the “Red” and “Black” lists. The
Council no longer uses any of these chemicals. Several wood preservatives are
also harmful to health and the environment.
Alternatives
Pesticides and herbicides are used for a variety of jobs. There are a number of
alternative methods of pest control that can be considered before rushing to the
spray gun. Two key principles are:
 prevention is better than cure
 use the minimum treatment to control the pest
Highway weed control
Alternatives to the use of chemicals include: manual weeding of small areas, thermic
weed control (flame, hot air or steam applied to weeds), and mowing on highway
verges.
In or near water
Manual weeding may be suitable if volunteer labour is available. Grazing animals
can control the spread of weeds, and shading sections of water can prevent the
growth of waterweeds.
Parks and sports grounds
Physical control can involve manual weeding, mulching (where the ground is
covered to prevent weeds) and the removal of dead plant material to avoid build-up
of pests or their survival over winter. Mechanical mowing with the removal of grass
cuttings is also an effective alternative.
Rodent and domestic pest control
Improvements to the cleanliness and hygiene of sites can prevent the spread of
pests. Equally regular building repairs or the installation of barriers such as fly and
bird screens can prevent pests entering premises. Manual traps or the use /
encouragement of natural predator are alternatives to the use of dangerous
chemicals.
Timber pest and fungal control
All timbers for new buildings must be treated offsite prior to delivery. For existing
buildings just treat the infected area unless there are special reasons to do
otherwise.
Using Pesticides
If you decide to use a pesticide:
 Select the safest pesticide for the job. All pesticides must be COSHH assessed.
 Non-residual pesticides are strongly preferred to residual (long lasting) pesticides.
 Try to choose a species-specific pesticide what will not damage harmless wildlife.
 Use the minimum amount required.
 Contractors and their employees must hold a Certificate of Competence as
required under the Control of Pesticides Regulations 1986.
Peat
Policy
Ban the use of peat in landscape works.
Actively research alternatives to peat.
Encourage suppliers and contractors to eliminate the use of peat for container grown
plants.
Reasons
Lowland peat bogs are one of our most important habitats, maintaining many rare
and unusual plants and animal species. Nearly all UK lowland bogs have been
destroyed or damaged: less than 6% of natural bogs remain.
Peat builds up naturally in a living bog. Plants living on the surface don’t rot when
they die because the ground is waterlogged. They form peat. Bogs carry on
growing for thousands of years and are home to rare insects and birds.
The extract peat, the bog is drained and stripped of vegetation. The records of our
history, of past climates, animals, plants and our ancestors are destroyed. Most
peat mined in Britain comes from nationally imported bogs (Sites of Special
Scientific Interest - SSSIs).
Peat is used in three main ways:
Soil Improvers are added to the soil to improve its texture and structure. Garden
compost, leaf-mould and other organic waste are amongst the best and the
cheapest soil enrichers. Peat contains very few nutrients an is a poor soil improver.
Mulch is a layer of material placed on top of the soil to repress weeds, conserve
moisture or act as an insulator. Peat is a poor mulch, tending to dry out and blow
away. There are many other suitable materials.
Growing media are used to grow plants. Peat is not essential for growing plants except wild ones in bogs. A range of peat-free products are available for growing
plants at all stages of their development. It has proved difficult to find alternatives
for hanging baskets and some container grown plants. We can continue to trial
alternatives and refuse to buy plants that have been grown in peat.
What you can do
In the office and at home: don’t buy pot plants grown in peat; use peat-free
compost for your garden.
For professionals: don’t use peat as a mulch or soil improver.
Cleaning Materials
Policy
The Council will only buy or specify the use of cleaning materials (detergents,
polishes and disinfectants) which are phosphate-free and at least 90%
biodegradable).
The Council will not use products which are petroleum based, or contain the foaming
agents NTA or EDTA, optical brighteners, chlorine bleaches, enzymes, synthetic
perfumes or colourings, or have been tested on animals.
Only pump action re-usable containers or non-spray products will be used. We will
not use aerosols.
Reasons
The cleaning chemicals we use can be hazardous to the user and can also pollute
water courses because most are discharged into the sewage system after use. The
main issues are:
Biodegradability: Do the products break down into harmless substances within 3
to 5 days of use? In the UK detergents are now required to be 80% biodegradable
and many are 90% biodegradable or more. Products may still be petroleum based
which takes longer to biodegrade. Products based on vegetable oils which break
down rapidly are an alternative.
Phosphates: Phosphates are used as water softeners and improve cleaning. They
make up as much as 25% of some washing powders and dishwashing powders.
High levels of phosphates in slow moving water cause rapid growth in algae which
remove oxygen from the water and choke out other animals and plant life. They
may be toxic for animals that drink the water.
NTA and EDTA: These are foam building agents in washing powders and liquids.
They can react with lead and mercury lying dormant at the bottom of river beds,
releasing the lead and mercury to re-enter the water supply and possibly end up in
our drinking water.
Optical brighteners: These make your wash appear whiter but don’t actually help
clean it. They are slow to biodegrade.
Chlorine based bleaches and disinfectants: Chlorine can produce toxic and
cancer causing chemicals as it breaks down. There are a range of alternatives often
based on vegetable acids.
Containers: All aerosols emit greenhouse gases, contributing to global warming.
Use pump action or non-spray containers instead.
Alternatives
The amount of cleaning materials used can be reduced by:
 re-examining and reducing cleaning frequencies where appropriate;
 ensuring that concentrated detergents are correctly diluted;
 monitoring the amount of cleaning materials purchased.
Let building users known that toilets/kitchens etc. are clean, even if they don’t smell
of perfume or are sparkling white.
Vehicles
Policy
The Council will only purchase diesel vehicles or vehicles running on unleaded petrol
with a three-way catalytic converter.
The Council will purchase vehicles with the best engine management/exhaust
treatment systems available to control emissions.
We will regularly maintain all vehicles so that emissions are minimised.
The Council will research and test alternative vehicles and vehicle fuels as they
become available.
Reasons
Vehicle emissions are the main cause of air pollution. Most of our vehicles operate
at low speeds, over short distances and in congested traffic. In these conditions
diesel vehicles cause less harm to the environment and are cheaper to run than
standard petrol vehicles.
It is important to continue servicing all vehicles regularly. However, the main way to
reduce vehicle emissions is to cut back on the number of journeys made.
Working with Suppliers and
Contractors
Policy
The Council has a commitment to working in partnership with suppliers and
contractors to encourage the use of environmentally responsible products and
services.
We recognise that our environmental performance does not depend solely on what
we do but also relies on the efforts of our suppliers and contractors.
We will use our influence as a major specifier and purchaser to encourage suppliers
and contractors to consider the environmental impact of their products and their
methods of working.
Checklist for working with suppliers and contractors
1.
Give all potential suppliers and contractors a copy of the Council’s
Environmental Purchasing Policy.
2.
Assess the environmental management and performance of companies
which
apply to be on the Councils select list.
3.
Specify clearly what is wanted. Environmental standards can be set as part
of the specification. These could cover areas such as the use of recycled
materials, energy efficiency, ability of the product to be recycled or reused,
and impact on air pollution.
4.
Ensure that none of the specifically banned products listed below have been /
will be used by the contractor to deliver the service:
 ozone depleting chemicals: CFC, Halon, 1.1.1 trichloroethane, HCFC;
 tropical hardwood which has not been certified by the Forest Stewardship
Council (FSC) as coming from sustainably managed forest;
 pesticides on the UK “Red list” or EC “Black list”;
 peat
5.
Use environmental performance as part of the evaluation of tenders.
6.
Ask supplier to advise the Council is alternative products or methods are
available to those specified which will cause less harm to the environment.