In procurement, we have adopted the “Triple bottom-line considerations”.
Procurement of goods, works and services on the best possible terms has historically been based on just two criteria: price and quality, with a view to maximising benefits for the procuring organisation. Sustainable procurement broadens this framework to take account of third-party consequences of procurement decisions, forming a “triple baseline” of external concerns which the procuring organisation must fullfil. Sustainable procurement involves a higher degree of collaboration and engagement between all parties in a supply chain. We have adopted a broad interpretation of sustainable procurement and have developed tools and techniques to support this engagement and collaboration.
As an example of the “Triple bottom-line considerations”, we purchase office supplies from a company which employs a high number of handicapped people.