Green Procurement Checklist

There are many environmental aspects that should be considered when establishing specifications for goods or services procurement. The list below identifies key issues and questions to be addressed for each.

• Departmental Green Procurement Objectives
• 3R's Considerations
• Environmental Performance Benchmark
• Performance Testing
• Recycled Content and Renewable Resources
• Resource and Energy Efficiency
• Hazardous Materials
• Ozone-Depleting Substances
• Air Quality
• Packaging
• Durability and Useful Life
• Recycling
• Disposal and Waste
• Indirect Costs
• Environmental Attributes of the Suppliers

Departmental Green Procurement Objectives

• What specific green procurement objectives have been established by the procuring department? The Policy on Green Procurement requires departments and agencies to set and monitor targets for green procurement through the annual Report on Plans and Priorities and the Departmental Performance Reports.

3R's Considerations

• Reduce: Is there a need for the purchase? Are there opportunities to reduce consumption? Can demand for the item be aggregated amongst multiple users, to achieve better asset utilization or minimize shipping? Rather than buying a good, can services be used to meet the need?
• Reuse: Can a second-hand or used item meet the requirement? When re-using items, consider costs of refurbishing and maintenance. Is the good being purchased reusable? Can it be economically repaired or upgraded to extend its life?
• Recycle: Can the item be recycled at end of life? Do programs exist for recycling in local facilities? Is the good designed for easy disassembly for recycling?

Environmental Performance Benchmark

• Have studies of the environmental attributes of these goods or services been completed?
• Are environmental performance labels available for the goods or services? Have the goods or services been certified by an environmental performance label?
• Are other environmental standards available for the goods or services? Do the goods or services meet those standards?

Performance Testing

• Is it possible to verify the performance of goods or services prior to purchase?
• Do the goods or services meet the required performance specifications?

Recycled Content and Renewable Resources

• Does the good include recycled content?
• What percentage of recycled materials does the good contain?
• What type of recycled materials does the good contain? Pre-consumer or post-consumer recycled content?
• Does the good contain reconditioned parts?
• Is the good made from rapidly renewable materials? Rapidly renewable materials are defined as materials that are renewable from natural sources within a ten year cycle (e.g. bamboo, kenaf, wool).

Resource and Energy Efficiency

• Do the goods or services make efficient use of resources and energy throughout its life cycle? Is it made with sustainably managed resources or processes that are resource-efficient?
• What are the operating environmental costs such as energy or water consumed by the goods or services over its life? Does it consume less resources or energy, relative to its competitors?
• Does the good have any energy, water or fuel saving features (e.g. Power Down Mode, low-flush toilets, programmable thermostats)?
• Are there clear instructions as to how to use the good the most efficiently?

Hazardous Materials

• Does the good require Material Safety Data Sheets (MSDS)?
• Do the suppliers offer a non-hazardous equivalent for this good?

Ozone-Depleting Substances

• Does the good contain any ozone-depleting substances, as listed in the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) Ozone-depleting Substances Regulations or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency list of ozone-depleting substances ?
• Is there an alternative good available that does not contain ozone-depleting substances?
• Is the content of ozone-depleting substances within acceptable levels as outlined in the CEPA Regulations?

Air Quality

• Does the good release volatile organic compounds(VOCs)? Is there a suitable replacement that releases fewer VOCs?
• Does the good release any other criteria air contaminant or air pollutant emissions? Is there a suitable replacement that generates lower emissions?

Packaging

• Is the packaging necessary? Can it be eliminated or reduced through bulk packaging?
• Is the packaging reusable? Does it contain reusable parts?
• Is the packaging recyclable? Does it contain recycled materials?
• Is the packaging made from rapidly renewable materials?
• Will the suppliers remove the packaging from the site following installation?

Durability and Useful Life

• Is the good durable? What is the expected useful lifespan of the good?
• Is the good reusable or does it contain reusable parts?
• Is the good designed for easy disassembly for reconditioning and reuse?
• How long is the warranty? Should an extended warranty be purchased to increase life span?
• Is it economical to repair or upgrade the good?
• Is the good designed for easy maintenance, repair and/or upgrade?
• Are maintenance and replacement parts readily available and reasonably priced? 

Recycling

• Is the good recyclable?
• Do appropriate local facilities exist for recycling?
• Is the good designed for easy disassembly for recycling?
• Does the good include a return for recycling policy?
• Will consumables (such as toner cartridges) be accepted for recycling?

Disposal and Waste

• What is the quantity of waste generated by the goods or services during its life time? Do the goods or services generate less waste than its competitors?
• During the project, will all wastes be source separated on site and recycled?
• Are there local recyclers that can be used for waste management?
• What is the cost of disposal arrangements?
• Where hazardous waste is involved, can a certified recycler be engaged to reclaim or recycle material?

Indirect Costs

• What indirect costs are associated with the goods or services (e.g. less energy efficient IT equipment will produce more heat, causing the building's air conditioning system to work harder and further increase electricity costs)?
• Do administrative costs, such as complying with Workplace Hazardous Materials Information System, apply?

Environmental Attributes of the Suppliers

• Do the suppliers have a certification or registration (e.g. ISO 14001 registration)?
• Do the suppliers have an Environmental Management System (EMS) or environmental policy in place?
• Do the suppliers engage in voluntary environmental initiatives?