LGP Sustainable Choice Newsletter
June 2020" Does your procurement process deliver economic, environmental and social considerations?"
The road to Economic and Environmental RecoveryThe amount of home recycling has increased over the last few months with the majority of the population working from home, seeing increased volumes of packaging and food waste. People have decluttered like never before and updated their electronics and home offices. The majority of the population believe recycling is
the way to go but we also need to remember that buying and using products made of that recycled content is part of closing the loop. Buying these products is essential in order to increase the demand which will drive production of these products and increase the value of recycled material. This in turn creates jobs, reduces dependence on virgin resources and saves carbon emissions. A great example of this is Tonerplas, an asphalt additive composed of waste toner from the cartridges 4 Planet Ark program as well as soft plastics from the REDCycle program. Every one-kilometre stretch of two-lane road, five tonnes of TonerPlas is used which equates to 530,000 plastic bags and waste toner from 12,300 cartridges. To read the full article by Claire Bell from PlanetArk, please click here.
Sustainable Choice Membership update
LGP recognises the challenges and difficulties councils are currently facing due to the recent devastating bushfires, droughts and now COVID-19. As part of our Disaster Recover Program to assist councils, LGP has decided to invite councils of NSW to become members of Sustainable Choice for free and enjoy the many benefits of the membership. We will however continue to ask that members commit to implementing sustainable procurement practices within their council and encourage all member councils to pass a council resolution relating to that commitment. Although this is not mandatory, gaining support at that level would help to facilitate action. If your council is interested in becoming a Sustainable Choice member, please contact the Sustainable Choice team. If you would like guidance to prepare a business case to secure approval to incorporate sustainable procurement within your council, we have resources available to help. As a Sustainable Choice member, you have access to: - General advice and guidance
- Attendance to workshops and forums
- Webinars
- Quarterly newsletters
- Online resources including factsheets, templates, guides, example policy and
procedures, example tender questions, case studies etc.
The following products and services are available for a fee: - Annual Sustainable Procurement Scorecard and Performance Report
- Sustainable Procurement training
- ISO 20400 training
- ISO 20400 gap analysis
COVID-19 and the four Sustainable Development Goals that will help future proof the recovery
The global coronavirus pandemic has caused extraordinary devastation and brought our life to an almost complete halt. The pandemic has highlighted the need to urgently address the global environmental threats. UNEP has written about how it is only possible to future proof sustainable recovery and sustainable development when sound environmental responses, plans and policies are given the importance they deserve. Four Sustainable Development Goals are vital for a sustainable recovery. Climate Action (Goal 13) - The long term effects
of climate change is far more threatening than a pandemic. We don't have science, funding or technology to solve the issue of global warming. Without commitments to decarbonize, we are on track for 3.2 degree global temperature rise and above. This is linked to increased risk of pandemics, extreme weather, droughts, flooding etc. Global warming can be limited by embracing renewable energy, green technology and sustainable innovations towards decarbonization. Life on Land (Goal 15) - Diseases from animals will keep spreading to humans with the globe seeing destruction of wild habitats. Human activity in wild habitats may encourage more animal-human contact and increase the risk of diseases spreading to livestock and humans. It is vital to move away
from unsustainable farming, mining and housing which involves destruction of natural habitats in order to prevent further pandemic outbreaks. Life below water (Goal 14) - The ecosystems below water are as vital as they are on land. Increased ocean warming, ocean acidification and pollution is a huge concern. We rely on these ecosystems for coastal protection, medicines, industry and food. Marine genetics are used for their anti-viral effect. Without the marine ecosystem, these resources are in danger. Responsible consumption and production (Goal 12) - This pandemic has highlighted many weaknesses. Closed
borders, availability of commodities and confinement have forced behavior changes worldwide. Some of these changes have been positive and can be retained as life slowly goes back to normal. To read the full article by UNEP, please click here
Now is the time to prioritise recycled contentThe rise of circular economy thinking is creating new ways of approaching manufacturing and product stewardship across a breadth of markets. Excitingly, there is enormous potential for local government to have a massive impact on driving procurement that is socially responsible and better for the environment. Buying products and materials made from
recycled content is a significant step to shift our economy from linear to circular. When choosing to buy recycled, you are keeping materials out of landfill and groundwater, growing markets and encouraging more manufacturers to use recycled materials and rethink product design. Minimising the consumption of virgin resources can save water and energy as well as reduce pollution. According to research by Planet Ark, 70% of Australians would be more likely to purchase a product if it contained recycled materials. And a survey of 115 councils from around Australia showed that a
majority (64%) rate implementing a ‘buy recycled’ policy or similar for council operations as a high or mid priority. At GECA, we know that now more than ever, manufacturers and procurement are calling for a circular economy society with better waste solutions and increased recycling and reuse wherever possible. One way that we help make this a reality is through the development of robust standards based on life cycle thinking. All GECA standards include comprehensive sustainability criteria relating to the environment, health, social, and fit-for-purpose. Our
Recycled Products standard strongly supports the progression of circular solutions. Not only does our Recycled Products standard specify minimum quantities of recycled materials by weight, but it also restricts certain treatments or coatings that would prevent further recycling. Unlike other recycled-content products, GECA certified products must also meet criteria for a wide range of environmental issues, human health and social impacts, while also proving that they perform as
promised. Take a look at GECA’s website for companies that are GECA certified here. It has been very encouraging to see an increase in recycled content being prioritised for public procurement across the country. In early March, the Victorian Government announced its Recycled First program designed to boost the use of recycled and reused materials in construction projects. Recycled First will build new requirements into future projects
under the Major Transport Infrastructure Authority, bringing a uniform approach to the use of recycled products and driving innovation in sustainable materials. As an organisation focused on helping businesses to make, buy and do better for people and planet, GECA will continue to support those wanting to implement circular economy solutions.
Sustainable Procurement Forums 2020Sustainable Choice is currently working on a plan for our postponed events to hopefully take place later this year. We are looking at holding these as face to face events. Due to the new Covid-19 restrictions, below are some of the measures we will be implementing:- Attendees to be seated 1,5 m apart
- 1 person per 4 square metre in the venues and a maximum of 20 attendees (this may change due to changes in government recommendations)
- Individual meals
- Attendees to bring their own water bottles
- Disposable cups, plates and cutlery (sustainable choices)
- Hand sanitizers available
As mentioned above, we are still investigating if these events will be possible as we are also restricted by the hosting council's regulations. Communication will be coming out as soon as we have confirmation and we can set some new dates. If you have any concerns or suggestions in regards to the above, please contact Sustainable Choice.
Assessing Modern Slavery Risks in LGP Contracts
LGP are currently going through the process of surveying all suppliers on LGP Contracts in relation to Modern Slavery. The outcome of this process will lead to all suppliers being given a modern slavery risk rating. When councils purchase from LGP contracts they will have better transparency of the modern slavery risks associated with their supply chains. This will enable councils to make more informed and ethical choices in procurement. It will also assist councils in taking reasonable steps to ensure that the goods they buy are not a product of modern slavery. It is expected that the roll out of this process will be completed by the end of 2020, with the Bitumen, Emulsions and Asphalt Materials and Services (LGP213-2) contract the first to be targeted. Stay tuned for updates and how you will be able to access this information as it becomes available.
Strengthening Sustainability in LGP Contracts LGP is implementing sustainable procurement practices with specific sustainability criteria addressed in all new contracts, which includes economic, environmental and social considerations. LGP contracts renewed in 2017, 2018 and 2019 were processed with sustainable procurement principles in mind. The criteria for each RFT was tailored to address those sustainability risks and opportunities specific to each contract and was mandatory and
weighted. Supplier responses to sustainability criteria are included in the 'Buyer's Guide' associated with each contract, enabling councils to make better informed decisions and purchase more sustainable products and services. - Corporate Clothing, Workwear and PPE (LGP219)
- Plant, Machinery and Equipment (LGP419)
- Playgrounds, Open Spaces, Modular Structures, Exterior Lighting, Recreational and Associated
Infrastructure (LGP308-3)
- Bitumen, Emulsions and Asphalt Materials and Services (LGP213-2)
- Road and Traffic Signage, Associated Hardware and Roadside Products (LGP114)
- Traffic Management Services (LGP113-2)
- Waste Audit Management Services (LGP118)
- Office Supplies
& Janitorial (including; Heavy Duty Cleaning) & Associated Products (LGP1007-3)
- Waste Audit Management Services (LGP118)
- Human Resources (HR) – Permanent and Temporary Placements and Associated Services (LGP808-3)
Online ResourcesSustainable Choice has a comprehensive range of online resources for Sustainable Choice members. These resources include guides, fact sheets, case studies, example documents, example sustainability tender questions and useful links. Recently added online resources for Sustainable Choice
members include: - Case study - Lockhart shire Council - Recycled Glass in Road Base
- Case study - Blacktown City Council - Recycled Paper Journey
- Case study - Bristol City Council - Creating Social Value
- Case study - Inner West Council - Embedding sustainability into 'value for
money'
- Case study - Byron Shire Council - Bridges Replacement Program
- Case study - Wollongong Administration building receives 6 star
- Case study - Procuring lighting as a service
- Case study - Electric vehicle car sharing service
- Modern Slavery - how can local government address it
- How to get the most out of your Sustainable Choice membership
- Sustainability tender schedules products and services
- Modern slavery related example tender questions
Sustainable Choice Database The Sustainable Choice Database makes the search for sustainable products and services easier for you. The expansive online database lists sustainable products and services, from energy-efficient lighting to recycled furniture and infrastructure products, paper and printing, road base, catering and events supplies. Sustainability indicators have been incorporated into the database to help you identify why a product is considered to be more sustainable than another in order for you to choose the most
appropriate for your needs and budget. You can access the database at www.sustainablechoice.lgp.org.au If you know of a sustainable supplier that isn’t listed on the database please let us know and we will contact them. Similarly if there is a particular product you are looking for and cannot find it on the database please let us know. New suppliers: Autonomous Energy Pty Ltd - Solar and energy solutions
Sustainable Choice TeamTania Lalor - Senior Consultant, Sustainable Procurement (Mon-Wed)
Sara Lindqvist - Consultant, Sustainable Procurement (Tues-Fri) T: 02 8270 8703
E: sustainablechoice@lgp.org.au
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