Procurement
Leiden University purchases a wide range of goods and services every year. To a greater or lesser extent, they all have an environmental impact.
In every tender, we try to weight relevant sustainability criteria to support the University’s sustainability ambitions. In 2021, sustainability options were also investigated and developed for tenders. Baseline measurements for sustainability include means of transport, transport movements, delivery conditions and packaging materials. Specific packaging materials are returned.
Looking ahead
In 2021 we started to investigate the possibilities of combining delivery of materials for technical maintenance, focusing particularly on organising emission-free deliveries via a hub and a single logistic service provider. This investigation has resulted in a proposal, which will be further developed in 2022 and subsequent years.
Sustainability criteria for procurement
Together with those who are responsible for procurement, we are establishing more stringent sustainability criteria. A checklist for four central aspects of procurement has been drawn up:
1. Products
Check the expected energy consumption, recyclability and lifespan of the product to be purchased. Also check whether the product has specific fair trade certifications.
2. Production
Check the expected energy consumption, recyclability and lifespan of the product to be purchased. Also check whether the product has specific fair trade certifications.
3. Supply
Check whether the supplier works with an environmental management system, engages in sustainable innovation and draws up an annual sustainability report.
4. Deliveries
Relates to the type and quantity of packaging materials used, the number of transport movements, distances for transporting products, emissions from the means of transport used and returns of products.
Here’s what you can do
If you make purchases for your department, try to find sustainable alternatives. Pens made of cardboard instead of plastic, post-its and notebooks made of recycled paper: for many items sustainable alternatives are available. Purchasing new items is high in the top ten environmental impacts, so by purchasing fewer new products you immediately have a positive impact on the environment. If you also want to make your private purchases more sustainable, consider second-hand and refurbished items.
Sustainable procurement covenant
In 2008 all the Dutch universities (research universities and applied sciences universities) agreed in a covenant with the Ministry of Infrastructure and Water Management that from 2012 at least 50% of their procurement and investments would be sustainable. Leiden University follows the PIANOo criteria and has been fully compliant with the Ministry’s covenant since 2012.
