- Before buying anything, ask yourself - "Do I really need this?" Rampant consumerism plays a huge role in carbon emissions as production cycles are for the most part energy intensive and one of the by-products of the cycle is carbon dioxide - not to mention other toxic chemicals. When purchasing, keep "green" close to mind.
- Identify the top 5 most frequent purchases your organization makes, research the most sustainable manufacturer/supplier and (if necessary) switch
- Ensure all new energy consuming equipment is ENERGY STAR ® qualified
- Purchase durable, recycled and recyclable products when available (i.e. recovered or renovated furniture, durable binders, refillable mechanical pencils, refilled printer cartridges, rechargeable batteries, etc.)
- Purchase 100% post-consumer recycled, and/or FSC® (Forest Stewardship Council) certified paper
- Purchase 100% post-consumer recycled toilet paper, paper towel and napkins
- Purchase local products (i.e. food from Farmers Market, etc…)
- Use FSC® certified printers
- Buy pre-owned office supplies and furniture
- Provide durable, useful promotional products that are recyclable
- Serve sustainably-grown, local, organic food
- Purchase recycled building materials
- Purchase local plants for decorations
- Select native plants for landscaping
- When doing renovations, include energy efficiency upgrades
Want to improve your own sustainable purchasing practices? Rethink your purchasing decisions using these seven steps or refer to the complete guide here.
Looking for suppliers of green products in the Saskatoon area? Try finding them here.
How do I know if a product is truly green? Review this list of verified eco-labels.
If you are deliberately trying to source green products, watch out for the six evil sins of green-washing!
Procurement tips developed by Angie Bugg and the Saskatchewan Environmental Society.