Sustainable Purchasing Resources

Sustainable Purchasing Home Taking Action Resources

In this section you will find a series of resources to help in the implementation of sustainable purchasing.

Useful Tools and Resources produced by ICLEI
Case Studies of successful council actions
Example Action Plans, Policies & Reports produced by councils.

Useful Tools and Guidance

Gap Analysis Tool: A step-by-step tool that guides Councils through a comprehensive assessment of their baseline situation in regards to sustainable purchasing policies, procedures and practice, and helps to identify gaps in councils approach.

Self-Assessment Matrix: A shorter version of the gap analysis tool designed to assist councils to develop a 'snap-shot' view of their approach to sustainable purchasing, and identify priority areas for improvement.

Sustainable Purchasing Action Plan: This document provides a template structure and guidance notes for the development of an effective Sustainable Purchasing Action Plan.

Example Actions: This document contains a list of suggested actions that address the typical sustainable purchasing gaps.

Action Plan Verification Checklist: This checklist can assist Council to finalise their action plan and ensure it is a clear and robust strategy.

Review and Re-strategise Toolkit : This document provides detailed instructions on how to review your action plan and re-strategise for the future. Use in conjunction with the progress report template.

Sustainable Purchasing Progress Report Template: This document provides a template structure and guidance notes for the development of an effective Sustainable Purchasing Progress Report.

Case Studies

Maribynong City Council, Victoria - hand dryers vs. paper towels: Council replaced paper towels with energy efficient hand dryers and achieved significant savings in both costs and life-cycle greenhouse gas emissions.

Getting the job done - a case for integation: Mosman Municipal Council talks about the value of integrating Council's Sustainable Purchasing Action Plan with Councils strategic planning direction.

Penrith printer rationalisation project: Penrith City Council rationalised their printer fleet and achieved a GHG abatement of 56 tonnes per year.

Example Sustainable Purchasing Action Plans & Progress Reports

City of Belmont (WA) Action Plan

City of Wanneroo (WA) Action Plan

City of Canada Bay (NSW) Action Plan

Penrith City Council (NSW) Action Plan

Mosman Muncipal Council (NSW) Progress Report

Example Sustainable Purchasing Policies

Penrith City Council (NSW) Sustainable Purchasing Supply Policy [PDF, 670KB]

Get It Green [PDF, 525KB] South Sydney Regional Organisation of Councils (SSROC) supply policy - has good template supplier questionnaires

Cities for Climate Protection® (CCP®) Australia: implementing greenhouse action through a collaboration between the Australian Government and ICLEI Oceania. The CCP® Australia Program is funded by the Australian Government.