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Sustainable Procurement is defined as “a process that achieves value for money on a whole life basis and generates benefits not only to the organisation, but also to society and the economy whilst minimising damage to the environment”.
This Sustainability Statement has been developed to support our delivery of the Scottish Governments Sustainable Procurement Action Plan (SPAP) and to promote procurement practice which contributes to the University’s commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility.
The social aspects of sustainable development can be defined as meeting the needs of all people in existing and future communities, promoting personal wellbeing, social cohesion and inclusion, and creating equal opportunity for all. Abertay University will endeavour to ensure transparency, clarity and functionality of all procurement tendering and supporting documentation produced. This will involve consideration of the appropriateness of all tendering conditions.
Where applicable, Abertay University will restrict participation in tendering to supported factories and businesses. This is endorsed by the Scottish Procurement Directorate in their Scottish Procurement Policy Note (SPPN 10/2010).
The economic aspects of sustainability can be defined as building a strong, stable and sustainable economy which provides prosperity and opportunities for all. In terms of delivery of value for money we need to embed sustainability into the early stages of the procurement process, ensuring the selection criteria offers Most Economically Advantageous Terms for Abertay University. There will be commitment to the economy through ongoing proactive engagement with the supply market to ensure there is an equal opportunity to compete for business. To increase the level of opportunities, tenders will be advertised on: http://www.publiccontractsscotland.gov.uk/ and where possible, Prior Information Notices (PIN) will be published alerting the market to upcoming procurement opportunities within Abertay University.
The environmental aspects of sustainability can be defined as those that respect the planet’s environment, resource and biodiversity. We aim to improve our environment and ensure that the natural resources needed for life are not damaged and remain so for the future. Abertay University is committed to ensuring that environmental issues are proactively addressed in all aspects of procurement.
Sustainable procurement can offer whole life cost efficiency, support our commitment to Corporate Social Responsibility, and evidence that we are responsible procurers.
Abertay University will, through their procurement activities and using appropriate and effective evaluation techniques, strive to:
Promote use of local products and services
Engage effectively with the third sector and SMEs [small and medium-sized enterprises]
Influence the supply chain to promote sustainable procurement
Reduce greenhouse gas emissions and mitigate the impacts of Climate Change
Increase our use of renewable energy and energy efficient products
Increase the percentage of reused, recycled, and sustainable or ethically sourced materials, resources and products
In order to delivery on our objectives, we will aim to:
Reduce the purchasing of brand-new products
Cut down on waste-repair-reuse-recycle
Consider value for money in terms of whole life cost
Improve our specifications
We will aim to purchase products which are:
Made of recycled materials and can be recycled or reused
Can be operated in an energy efficient manner
Have the minimum impact in terms of production, distribution, transportation, use and disposal
Furthermore, we will
Explore the availability of, and use wherever possible ethically traded type goods
Purchase whenever practical, materials and substances which are the least harmful to health, and the environment
Include environmental considerations in all relevant contract documentation
Contract manage, including working together with suppliers to improve environmental performance
Our view is that Sustainable Procurement is Best Practice Procurement. This statement applies to all our procurement activity. We want to encourage sustainable development through providing guidance, information and practical help to assist colleagues to buy or specify products that contribute to sustainable development.