Green Public Procurement

Green Public Procurement

"Green" public procurement stands for public purchasers who take into account environmental elements when buying products, services or works.   

"Green" public procurement could have significant benefits for the environment. So much money is spent by public authorities across the EU in public procurement (16 % of EU wide GDP or a sum equivalent to half the GDP of Germany) that it makes sense to use that money to help achieve environmental goals. In some product and service groups the impact could be greater still, as public purchasers are particularly significant in the market (computers, energy efficient buildings, public transport...).

"Green" purchasing is also about setting the example and influencing the market place. In establishing a green procurement policy, and communicating the actions taken and the results of that action, the authority demonstrates that action in this area is possible, and that it leads to concrete results. Further, by promoting "green" procurement, public authorities may give important incentives to industry to develop "green" technologies.    

Finally, "green" public procurement will often lead to savings both for the public authorities making the purchases and society in general, when considering the life cycle cost of the product. Purchasing a "green" piece of IT equipment can save money in many different ways. Lower electricity use, longer life time, easier to recycle or reuse at the end of its life...

The ecological printing papers of Cariolaro, certified Ecolabel, Blue Angel and FSC are in accordance with this procurement, because they are produced only with waste paper and without the use of chlorine (according to the European Ecological laws).