Sustainable procurement can be viewed as the purchase of products and services which have less impact on the environment and human health compared with competing products or services that serve the same purpose.

As the event organiser sustainable procurement or sustainable purchasing can be undertaken in two ways. One is the direct purchasing of products, which your event engages in and is organised internally. The other way is where you contract in services, hire venues, or a third party is involved with providing a service or product. This can be more complex and you may be limited in knowing what practices are being employed, or have knowledge of the supply chain.

There is also a strong ethical component to be considered when considering the supply chain, which is why it goes beyond only environmental concerns. Sustainable Procurement guidelines for consideration include the following:

• energy efficient and greenhouse friendly products;
  
• products that are water efficient and reduce water use;
  
• less toxic products to reduce health effects;
  
• products using less packaging or with provision for packaging take-back;
  
• products that use fewer resources or in other ways create reduced environmental impacts throughout their life cycle;
  
• products made from recycled materials and materials sourced locally;
  
• worker rights and working conditions
  
• recycled green organics and recycled plastic products.
  

There are product and service certifications to look for to help you in making your purchasing decisions. Communicate with your stakeholders the desire to implement some form of sustainable purchasing to support your sustainable event plan. Above all, remember that if you do not ask for this to be a consideration it will not be one. As the event organiser you have the power to create the demand for more considerate services and products.