What Is Sustainable Procurement? Here’s How It Works, Why It Matters, And How It Affects You

The last thing we want to do is put you off learning how to live a more sustainable life by throwing yet another term into the mix…but.

One thing about us here at DesignSnitch? When we think something is worth sharing with you, when something is truly worth knowing, we’re gonna shout about it. So, let’s talk about sustainable procurement.

What Is Sustainable Procurement?

You’d be forgiven for thinking that sustainable procurement is all about shopping for products that are either, upcycled, recycled, or maybe even made from a bicycle, (seriously, Google ‘coffee table bikes’ it’s a thing!). After all, these items are indeed ‘sustainable’ and you’re ‘procuring’ them - right?

In reality, sustainable procurement has less to do with your personal quest for secondhand Facebook Marketplace furniture and ‘lightly used’ eBay garments, and everything to do with how the businesses we buy from source the products and services they sell and use to run their company.

How Does It Work?

Unlike green procurement, which focuses purely on the environmental side of each company's supply chain, sustainable procurement covers this and so much more. So environmental impact, yes, but also Social, Cultural, and Economical influence. Here’s what that looks like…

Environmental

With the threat of climate change and the ongoing depletion of natural resources to consider, (good) businesses are trying to reduce their environmental footprint wherever possible. How?

1. By creating products made to last from renewable resources. This goes a long way towards eradicating unnecessary waste.

2. Taking genuine steps to lower their carbon emissions during the process of manufacturing, transporting, or disposing of goods. Preferably, all three.

3. Choosing suppliers that provide recycled and recyclable materials and economical production and transportation practices.

Social

This one’s all about the people, whether they work for, live near, or purchase from the company in question.

1. For employees, that means a responsible approach to labour practices including fair wages, and a focus on health and safety conditions in the workplace.

2. Where suppliers are concerned, companies should be prioritising those who contribute to the community in positive ways. This includes everything from employing from within the local community to supporting charitable efforts for improved ecological and education systems.

3. Supporting and promoting diversity and equal opportunities for everyone at every level within the company.

Cultural

Respecting local culture and recognising and facilitating possible differences between cultures is a hugely important pillar of sustainable procurement. This means businesses are consistently working to ensure no part of their organisation harms or encroaches on local traditions, values, or its people. Lookout for companies who:

1. Genuinely understand and respect, and actively uplift local people and their customs.

2. Abstain from procurement practices that could exploit or contribute towards loss of land or exploitation of cultural heritage.

Economical 

Sustainable procurement from an economic point of view is all about growth. Making sure an economy thrives not only in the present but can continue to do so in the future. It takes meticulous planning and foresight to meet both current and future needs of a business. So how do responsible companies do that?

1. By investing in eco-friendly technology and renewable energy instead of depleting finite resources. This will allow operations to continue long term.

2. Contributing financially, investing in healthcare and education systems that support economic growth.

3. Supporting both residents and business owners through local supply and product sourcing, job creation, and lawful compensation.

4. Offering fair and affordable product pricing which mutually benefits both the company and the consumer.

What Can You Do?

As much as we’d like to believe every business wants to do the right thing, we know better. Fortunately, they’re usually forced to bend to societal pressures and have no choice but to go where the money goes.

Therefore, whether you're simply trying to decide which loaf of bread to buy or you're making a huge investment and purchasing a new car, do a little research on who makes the product you're buying before parting with your cash.

By supporting only businesses that follow these pillars of sustainable procurement, we’re voicing our demands for a better world. We’re voting with our wallets and investing not only in pieces we can guiltlessly enjoy, but in our futures too.