With an annual procurement budget of around £160 billion, the public sector is the largest purchaser in the UK. But often sustainability factors – such as the environmental and social impacts of the goods and services purchased – aren’t factored into spending decisions. Many procurement officers now understand the need for their decisions to support public sector sustainability goals. But knowing how to do this still remains a stumbling block.

That’s all about to change. The Sustainable Procurement Toolkit, supported by a full report, Buying A Better World, will help public sector buyers incorporate social and environmental factors into their decision making processes, alongside value, resulting in benefits for end users, tax payers and suppliers.

The toolkit is based on two years of research and pilots undertaken with the health service and local government in the East Midlands as part of the BEST Procurement Programme. The toolkit will help those with responsibility for spending respond to the expectations in national health and local government sustainable procurement strategies, published at the end of 2007.

• The report Buying A Better World explains the importance of incorporating sustainability thinking into buying decisions, and includes case studies and action planning tips for busy procurement officers.
• The Sustainable Procurement Toolkit has been designed to help them identify and prioritise the best opportunities for improving the sustainability on any contract or supply area. It gives guidance on how to select appropriate suppliers, develop specifications, award contracts and work with suppliers thereafter.

The NHS has already piloted the toolkit and David Wathey, Sustainable Development Manager at the NHS Purchasing and Supply Agency is hoping to make it available to all NHS procurement organisations.

Download Buying a Better World here

Download the guidance notes for the Sustainable Procurement Toolkit here

The Sustainable Procurement Toolkit is available free on request. Request the toolkit here