Why should Queensland Government agencies purchase sustainable products and services?
Queensland Government spends approximately $6 billion on goods and services and a further $5.5 billion on construction. There is significant potential to demonstrate our environmental responsibility by purchasing products and services which have a lower environmental impact than competing products and services.
What are the benefits of sustainable procurement?
Reducing adverse environmental impacts arising from the government
- reducing waste and landfill through purchasing recycled content products and products that create less waste;
- reducing the amount of resources used and the environmental effects of obtaining those resources, through use of durable or lightweight products, products made from less energy-intensive materials and recycled content products increasing energy efficiency;
- saving water;
- eliminating or reducing toxic materials entering the environment;
- decreasing air and water pollution;
- reducing greenhouse gas emissions; and
- preserving the natural habitat for flora and fauna.
Making more efficient use of public resources
- reducing costs through greater energy efficiency, reduced waste disposal, reduced risk management;
- lowering costs for some products and services;
- increasing productivity and reduced time lost from illness because of the improved work environment;
- saving money through re-using materials and products; and
- helping to 'close the loop' to make recycling viable.
Stimulating the market to innovate and produce more sustainable options for government and business purchasers and Australian consumers
- increasing the availability of green products at cost-effective prices;
- expanding the market for green products, as well as for products with reduced packaging; and
- improving the level of information available to buyers about the content and performance of products making it easier to buy green.
Demonstrating to industry and the community that the Queensland Government is serious about sustainability
- Governments that are buying green provide leadership to their community and demonstrate social and environmental responsibility.
- Buying green sets an example for others to follow.
- Reducing the potential negative publicity associated with the use of products, services and suppliers with poor environmental records.
Improves working conditions
- less exposure to toxic materials and emissions, through use of more benign products for cleaning, pest control, building and fleet maintenance and
- more comfortable energy efficient working environments. (ECO-Buy Guide to Green Purchasing, ECO-Buy, 2004.)
Both of these result in improved productivity and therefore greater efficiency.
Destroying the myths about green products
A green product is defined as any product where the manufacturers have reduced the environmental impact of the product compared to competing products that serve the same purpose.
Myth: Green products aren't available.
Fact: There are thousands of green products in the market today. Many manufacturers take the environmental characteristics and production processes of their products very seriously. The most well-known examples include:
Energy Rating label is a joint Australian and State/Territory government program which is recognised as a key initiative to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The mandatory labelling program covers refrigerators, freezers, room air-conditioners, dishwashers, clothes washers and clothes dryers. The program requires that these household appliances display an energy star rating label - 1 to 6 stars (6 best). The label allows consumers to make comparisons between appliances of their energy performance and thus purchase more energy efficient appliances.
It also provides an incentive for manufacturers to improve the energy performance of appliances.
Energy Star is a voluntary program which applies to office equipment including computers, printers, fax machines and photocopiers, and will soon apply to home entertainment equipment, such as TVs, VCRs, DVD players and audio equipment. Energy Star compliant office equipment automatically switches itself into a power saving 'sleep' mode after a certain amount of idle time, ensuring power losses are minimised. On home entertainment goods, the Energy Star logo means that standby power use is minimised.
Good Environmental Choice label is the only environmental labelling program which indicates the environmental performance of a product from a whole of product life perspective for consumer goods. The label is awarded by an independent third party to products that meet voluntary environmental performance standards which have been created and assessed in conformance to international environmental labelling standards. On this website you will find information about certified products, environmental labelling in Australia, and the objectives of the program.
Energy Allstars is a new initiative being launched by the Australian Government, and State and Territory Government Agencies. Only the top energy performing appliances are listed on Energy Allstars. Use the product listings to compare energy use, cost, main product features, and work out the life cycle cost of household appliances, commercial equipment, lighting, office equipment, consumer electronics, other equipment.
ECO-Buy is Victoria's local government green purchasing program. The program works with Victorian Councils to increase their purchasing of recycled, greenhouse friendly and environmentally preferred products. ECO-Find is ECO-Buy's on-line product search for good green purchasing alternatives. This tool is designed to provide you with information and access to the increasing number of green product suppliers by product search or keyword search.
Myth: Green products are expensive.
Fact: The State Purchasing Policy requires that procurement decisions are based on value for money, which includes whole-of-life costing. Products such as energy efficient appliances and duplex printers can reduce operating costs significantly by decreasing the cost of electricity bills and paper and therefore are more cost effective over the product’s life. In addition, there are many green products which have a cheaper up front price than equivalent products, while others are comparable in price.
Myth: Green products are inferior quality.
Fact: Recycled Paper is a good example of how environmental products have generally improved over the years through improved technology and consumer demand. Fifteen years ago, recycled paper was not as smooth as and white as virgin forest paper and often got jammed in photocopiers. With improved technologies recycled products are of extremely high quality and are not visibly different than virgin forest paper. Photocopiers and printers today have also improved in handling most paper types without jamming.
Myth: Green products are difficult to buy because you don’t know if you can trust the claims.
Fact: This can be a concern where some manufacturers use environmental buzz words or jargon that most people don't understand and make claims through clever marketing and advertising (called 'greenwash'). However, as outlined above, there are trustworthy and reliable eco-labelling programs (Energy Rating, Energy Star, Energy Allstars and Good Environmental Choice) that can guide a purchaser to make informed decisions about green products.
Last updated February 2006
