Sustainable Procurement

Our supply chain is the largest part of the University's carbon footprint. We have a duty to ensure we are procuring products and services responsibly. 

What actions do we take?

• All suppliers are encouraged to create their own sustainable action plan through the Net Positive tool if they don't already have one
• Environmental questions are included in all relevant tenders
• All new suppliers registering with the University must provide information about how they manage their environmental impacts.

Net Positive

The University is signed up to the supplier engagement tool Net Positive. This means that all our suppliers can register with Net Positive for free and receive step-by-step guidance on setting up their own sustainable action plan. They can download and share this plan with their other customers. This is particularly helpful for small to medium-sized businesses who may not have the time, resources or skills to implement and run an environmental management system. 

How can you help?

If you need to buy something for the University, please consider the following: 

• Do you really need it?
• Is it available elsewhere in the University? 
• Is there a more environmentally friendly alternative? Consider its energy efficiency and the materials it is made from
• How far away was it produced? 
• What maintenance will it require?
• What is the lifespan?
• Can it be reused or recycled at the end of its life?

Sustainable Supplier Awards 2023

As part of Go Green Week we celebrated the great sustainability work done by many of our suppliers via our Sustainable Suppliers Awards. Suppliers nominated themselves in one of 5 categories and we announced the winners during Go Green Week. Winners were as follows:

• Above and Beyond: Renishaw for their STEM outreach programme which engages students in sustainability
• Best Net Zero Carbon Project: KB Event for their introduction of non-palm-oil HVO bio-fuel into their fleet
• Social Value Story: Jubilee Events for their supportive employment for those with multiple barriers to work
• Most Innovative Sustainability Solution: Eppendorf for their biobased tubes using second-generation biobased polymer made from 90% renewable resources
• Most Sustainable SME: Marmax for their manufacture of 100% recycled plastic furniture made from plastic milk bottles