GPP of office paper
About this good practice
• 100 % recycled (preferably postconsumer)
• Unbleached or chlorine-free bleached (TCF or PCF)
• Without optical brightening agents.
• Without synthetic polymers, adhesives, coatings or colouring agents which are classified as carcinogenic, mutagenic or toxic to reproduction or harmful to the environment.
There were no additional environmental award criteria included, just price and test results of the provided samples.
Expert opinion
By using their purchasing power to choose goods, services and works with a reduced environmental impact, governments can make an important contribution towards sustainability goals. The European Commission defines Green Public Procurement (GPP) as "a process whereby public authorities seek to procure goods, services and works with a reduced environmental impact throughout their life cycle when compared to goods, services and works with the same primary function that would otherwise be procured." This practice is a positive example of implementing GPP to decrease the impact of office paper at provincial level. The practice has a learning potential especially with regards to the internal consultation process across the departments that has been carried out, as well as with the clear definition of specific criteria within the tendering process.
Resources needed
Evidence of success
The requirements account for energy efficiency and resource use making for a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. By using this paper at least 813 000 liter water and 178 860 kWh was saved in 2016 .
Establishing high environmental performance standards for products.
Potential for learning or transfer
Communication on the benefits of the framework contract is important. Internal audits in the frame of the ISO14001-certificate showed that when paper was bought through other channels, mandatory criteria were mostly not respected.
It might be interesting to split the tender into paper for multifunctionals and paper for high volume copiers instead of trying to find a one-fits-all paper.
The level of whiteness should be discussed with the Communication Service, because it influences look and feel less than presumed.
Key enablers: clear definition of green criteria (within the tendering process), availability of products.
Further information
Website
Good practice owner
You can contact the good practice owner below for more detailed information.
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