Also known as green purchasing, the term sustainable purchasing refers to the policy of considering social and environmental factors when choosing a supplier by the purchasing department, looking beyond price.
In this type of acquisition, the materials must meet the needs of the companies:
- Longer lifespan of the purchased itemTaking into account the durability of the material, from the extraction of the raw material to the end of its useful life
- Greater electrical and hydraulic efficiency in the production and use of the materialSuppliers that maintain effective programs to mitigate water and energy use in their production processes;
- Reduced use of natural resources: evaluate practices aimed at preserving the environment, such as: conscious exploration and controlled management of natural resources or the reduction of greenhouse gases generated by its manufacturer;
- Less waste generation: Management focused on avoiding the waste of raw materials or on reducing paper consumption are practical examples of how to reduce waste;
- Possibility of recycling or reuseSelective waste collection or the transformation of waste into inputs or new products reduces disposal and can even generate income for the organization.
It's worth noting that consumers are increasingly choosing companies that prioritize social and environmental responsibility. And in this age of technological advancements and social media, they closely monitor companies, even using the internet to express their dissatisfaction with organizational actions they deem unethical, which can negatively impact brand image.
BARRIERS AND ADVANTAGES OF SUSTAINABLE PURCHASING
It is undeniable that there are barriers to the adoption of sustainable purchasing practices in companies, but these should not be considered an impediment to making these types of purchases and generating benefits for the purchasing company and society in general.
Next, we will mention the main obstacles to overcome and show how this concept benefits organizations.
Barriers to sustainable purchasing
The main difficulties in implementing a sustainable program are:
- Break the traditional behavior of the purchasing department, focused on lowering costs.
- Search for and find sustainable suppliers.
- Make sure that suppliers who claim to be sustainable actually are.
- Compare the cost-benefit ratio offered by the traditional and sustainable providers.
- Include factors such as social and environmental responsibility in the supplier selection criteria.
To overcome these obstacles, the procurement team must gather information demonstrating the benefits of sustainable procurement for the organization. It must also have a broad range of suppliers who effectively meet the requirements of a sustainable process and uphold the highest standards.
Advantages of sustainable shopping
Companies worldwide are already investing in developing sustainable procurement practices. Beyond the ethical considerations, the benefits drive this choice:
- Increased revenue: Sustainable companies can innovate and create new products, increase the price of green-labeled products and services, and generate revenue from recycling.
- Risk reduction: By working only with suppliers who also value ethics and social and environmental responsibility, you reduce the possibility of problems with what was agreed in the contract, as well as the risks of your brand being affected by negative practices.
- Competitive advantage: Compared to other companies in the sector that do not adopt sustainable procurement, the organization creates a competitive advantage by gaining a better understanding of consumers and improving its brand image.
Implementing the concept of sustainable procurement is a task that requires a strong commitment from procurement professionals.
Therefore in GDI We are looking for suppliers with sustainable characteristics, so that we can manufacture quality products without endangering the planet.
We strive to make our garments environmentally friendly, therefore we seek out materials like cotton and linen, working with suppliers who are committed to environmental responsibility. And thanks to that very commitment... GDI joined to US Cotton Trust Protocol
En GDI We also make sustainable uniforms with materials containing a certain percentage of PET, as well as eco-friendly face masks that reduce the use of disposable face masks.
En GDI We are convinced that by implementing these types of actions the world will be more inclusive, improving the quality of life for all people.