Sacred Heart Primary School
Green Procurement Policy
From January, 2013, it is a requirement of Eco-School status that:
“...We will ensure that we purchase all products and services that
consider environmental aspects, potential impacts and costs,
associated with their life cycle. Our practice of procuring products
and services will ensure that they are less harmful to the environment
(land, air and water), that are made with less harmful materials
which when produced, used or consumed. This will include buying
local, buying recycled and recyclable, using less chemicals and
reducing the schools carbon footprint associated with products and
services.”
Sacred Heart Primary School is committed to the use and purchase of
environmental products. Our practice of procuring products and
services will ensure that they are less harmful to the environment and
that they are made with less harmful materials when purchased, used
or consumed. This will include, where possible; buying locally, buying
recycled and recyclable products, using less chemicals and reducing
the schools carbon footprint.
Paper
Impacts
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Forest destruction and loss of biodiversity.
Energy and water consumption during production.
Emissions to air and water during pulp and paper production.
Chemical consumption and potential environmental contamination
during production.
Waste generation during production.
Considerations
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Paper to be based on recycled paper.
Purchase of paper that is produced through a process of low energy
consumption and emissions.
Avoidance of bleaching used in production.
Aims
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To try to buy 100% recycled and eco-certified.
Reuse paper where possible.
Paper must be at least Elementary Chlorine Free (ECF) and or Totally
Chlorine Free (TCF).
Office Equipment
Impacts
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High energy consumption and resulting Carbon Dioxide (CO2)
emissions.
Air, soil and water pollution, ozone formation (smog), effects on
aquatic organisms due to hazardous component ie, mercury content
of LCD displays and flame retardants.
Use of energy, resources and harmful emissions related to the
production of IT equipment.
Generation of waste material including packaging and the final
disposal.
Considerations
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Buy energy efficient models
Buy products with restricted amounts of hazardous materials and
consider ‘take back’ options.
Buy products which have been designed for recycling, that have a
longer life and that have ‘take back’ options.
Buy products with recyclable packaging.
Consider how the product will be disposed of.
Aims
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We try to buy products that have a low impact on the environment
throughout its life cycle.
Furniture
Impacts
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Loss of biodiversity, soil erosion and degradation as a result of
unsustainable forest management and illegal logging.
Landscape impact from mining activities.
Depletion of resources due to the use of non-renewable resources such
as metal and oil/natural gas for plastics.
CO2 and other emissions as a result of energy consumption in the
production of several materials.
Waste and packaging waste due to packaging and early replacement
of furniture due to a lack of reparability options, low durability, and
furniture not fit for purpose.
Considerations
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Buy wooden products from legal and sustainable managed forests.
Use materials made partly of wholly from recycled materials.
Avoid as much as possible hazardous substances in materials
production and surface treatment.
Ensure the materials and furniture packaging can be used be
recycled.
Buy fit for use, repairable or recycled furniture.
Aims
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We will try to buy furniture which is made from environmentally
friendly materials and processes.
Cleaning Products
Impacts
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Some cleaning products may pollute streams and rivers. It may take a
long time to degrade this. Some may not break down at all and may
remain in the environment.
Some chemicals may enter the food chain of creatures and even the
human food chain.
When consumed or absorbed through the skin some chemicals can be
harmful and toxic.
Considerations
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Use cleaning products which can be used at a low temperature.
Avoid phosphorous and limit biocides.
Use the recommended amount.
Use fewer products.
Ensure packaging is made from recycled materials, and that it can be
recycled.
Use products produced in the UK.
Aims
 To buy sprays without propellants.
 To buy non-toxic products.
 No substances in the products should be identified ‘Volatile
Organic Compounds’
Lighting
Impacts
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High energy consumption, in all phases, but especially when using
indoor lighting.
Potential pollution of air, land and water during the production
phase.
Use of materials and hazardous materials.
Generation of waste (hazardous and non-hazardous).
Considerations
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Replace used bulbs with low energy ones.
Ensure that the system works efficiently.
Recycle all waste products appropriately.
Use lighting controls to reduce energy consumption.
Aims
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Turn off lights, when not needed.
Recycle light bulbs correctly.
Electricity
Impacts
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The generation of electricity from fossil fuels is responsible for a
substantial proportion of greenhouse gas and other emissions.
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The growing electricity demand combined with the depletion of nonrenewable sources.
Considerations
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Increase the share of electricity from renewable energy sources or
biomass.
Aims
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Reduce our energy consumption.
Turn off any unused electricity items.
Apply for an energy award.
Display our energy certificates.
Food and Catering Services
Impacts
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Impacts on human health and the environment due to pesticides and
fertilisers residues present in water, air, soil and food.
Soil erosion, forest destruction and loss of biodiversity caused by some
agricultural practices, over-intensive animal production and intense
fishing and aquaculture practises.
Animal cruelty due to lack of respect for animal welfare.
High energy and water consumption in food production and
processing.
High water and energy consumption of kitchen appliances.
Increased CO2 emission as a result of modes of transport used to carry
out the catering services.
Considerations
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Recommend buying organic produce.
Accept livestock products with a high welfare standard.
Buy in bulk or in packaging that has a high recycled content.
Use environmentally paper products.
Food waste to be composted.
Minimize the use of hazardous chemicals and the use of
environmentally friendly cleaning products.
Buy locally or UK made products.
Aims
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We will recommend the use of organic, animal friendly and
environmentally friendly products.
We try to buy energy efficient products.
Gardening Services
Impacts
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Soil and water pollution and even toxic effects on the environment
due to the inappropriate use of herbicides, pesticides and fertilisers.
Overuse of effectively non-renewable resources such as peat in soil
improvers.
High water consumption.
High organic waste generation.
High packaging waste generation.
Considerations
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Buy peat-free products.
Use alternative pest control rather than pesticides.
Use collected water (if possible) from water butts or storage container.
Mulch the soil to reduce water usage.
Buy only native and organically produced plants.
Compost organic waste.
Buy products which come in recycled, compostable, recyclable or
biodegradable packaging.
Aims
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Take action on invasive plants.
Make compost bins available.
Use a water butt to harvest water.
Transport
Impacts
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Contribution to climate change through the emission of greenhouse
gases.
Depletion of resources (especially non-renewable fuels).
Air pollution through the emission of other exhaust gases.
Noise pollution.
Generation of waste including oils and tyres.
Generation of waste parts and materials at the end of the vehicles life.
Considerations
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Use of low emission vehicles.
Ensure reduce fuel consumption through eco-driving.
Aims
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Reduce the numbers of cars being used by parents.
Car share on journeys, if possible.
Use low emission vehicles, when on educational visits.
Policy created July 2015
To be revisited 2017