SUSTAINABLE BUILDINGS

Asset Classes

Focus Area

Custodial and Waste

Topic

Baseline Practices

Question #

P1.1 Circular Economy Procurement Strategy

Question

Are circular economy procurement strategies implemented and maintained in building management activities?

Applicability

All asset classes
Owner/landlord occupied building
Tenant occupied building

Answer & Scoring

  • Yes — circular economy strategies are implemented = 2 points
  • No = 0 points

Max of 2 points

Requirements

  1. How equipment is selected to reduce the environmental impact over its life cycle
  2. How resources use is optimized to reduce consumption, or generate energy/collect water on-site
  3. Source food products from local suppliers, select durable or refurbished products
  4. Inform procurement decisions by considering waste creation and vendor take-back programs

Documentation

  • Procurement policy highlighting any of the aspects listed above
  • Documentation showing an example of each strategy implemented

Suggested Lead

In-house

Value

  • Traditionally, when a product is created, the resources are extracted and refined, the product is made and sold, and at the end of the product’s useful life it is disposed of (typically sent to a landfill). This is called a “linear economy”
  • Conventional operations and maintenance products are designed for single use. A more sustainable model considers the entire life-cycle of a product and promotes the re-use of resources at the end of its useful life. This is called a circular economy. This process preserves natural resources and eliminates waste
  • Purchase products that support a circular economy. This can include buying reusable products, products with recycled content, purchasing refurbished furniture and appliances, or purchasing products from manufacturers that have end-of-life recycling or “buy-back” programs

Description

Green or sustainable procurement typically concentrates on how to improve sustainable practices within a linear economic model and as a result, focus can be narrowly applied to individual components, such as what materials are used in the product.

On the other hand, circular procurement focuses on the value of a product, considers needs, best use, and end of life management. Within this system, it is possible to leverage the full value of a product or material while minimizing environmental and social impacts.

While waste diversion may be a critical piece of the company’s sustainability objectives, its interrelationship with procurement is rarely recognized. When end-of-life considerations are included in procurement decisions less waste is generated, and diversion and capture rates increase.

References

Adapted BB 3.0 Question

Question 06.01.01 – Is an environmental procurement program in place at the building that includes the following components?