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Table 3: Green Procurement

The Policy on Green Procurement which came into effect April 1, 2006, established environmental performance considerations as a key factor in procurement decisions that occur throughout the life cycle of assets and acquired services. The objective of this policy is to advance the protection of the environment and to support sustainable development by integrating environment performance considerations into the procurement decision-making process. Deputy Heads are accountable to ensure that the objectives of the policy are realized and are required to report on green procurement performance through the annual Report on Plans and Priorities and the Departmental Performance Report.

Green Procurement

1. How is your department planning to meet the objectives of the Policy on Green Procurement?

   Infrastructure Canada recently repatriated certain key contracting and procurement functions from its shared services providers, giving the Department more control of its procurement practices and facilitating implementation of the Policy on Green Procurement.

   Infrastructure Canada is working with Public Works and Government Services Canada’s Client Engagement sector to analyze its spending patterns and to identity opportunities for improved procurement practices. In 2009-10, Infrastructure Canada’s Contracting and Procurement Unit will explore options for updating the contracting module of SAP to identify and track all green procurement. This will allow the Department to set targets based on prior-year spending. In the meantime, the Department continues to consider green procurement objectives when purchasing the following commodities:

   Computers, printers and photocopiers:

   • Purchasing or leasing energy-efficient equipment from companies with environmental programs that have recycled content and a recycling program
   • Using multi-function machines to reduce energy consumption
   • Using recycled toner cartridges
   • Developing policy on personal versus shared printers
   • Ensuring default settings on the printers and photocopiers are duplex and print in black ink only.

   Furniture:

   • Using products that meet or exceed environmental norms established by Public Works and Government Services Canada
   • Reusing and recycling old furniture.

   Office Supplies:

   • Using paper that is 30% recycled or higher
   • Ensuring business cards are printed on recycled paper and bear the Eco Logo symbol
   • Ensuring nameplates are printed on 100% recycled paper and placed in reusable plastic holders.

   Travel & Meetings:

   • Using government travel services and encouraging travelers to use sustainable methods of transportation and to select Green hotels
   • Promoting Green meetings within the Department
   • Participating in the Ecopass Public-Transit Program
   • Encouraging staff to use other modes of transportation such as cycling and walking, by making showers available at the Department’s offices at 90 Sparks Street, Ottawa.

   Recycling:

   • Implementing material recycling in all locations
   • Implementing a program in place at 90 Sparks where the employees can drop off used batteries
   • All defective and end-of-life telecommunications devices and accessories are sent to the vendors for recycling. About 20% are re-used as telecommunication devices.

   Contracting:

   • Using green clauses for service contracts.
2. Has your department established green procurement targets?

   Specific targets will be identified once Infrastructure Canada has implemented a contract management system that allows tracking and reporting on green procurement. This will allow the Department to forecast spending based on historical spending trends.

   • _ Yes
   • _ No
   • X In progress
3. Describe the green procurement targets that have been set by your department and indicate the associated benefits anticipated.

   Not Applicable

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