Sustainable Procurement Practices

Principles of Sustainable Procurement

Every dollar you spend, what you purchase, where you purchase, and how you purchase can have a considerable impact, both positive and negative. Your choices can influence how workers are treated, how resources are obtained, and what types of businesses thrive. By supporting companies that consider the triple bottom line—people, planet, and profit—you can leverage the funds you are allotted to align with the University’s mission and demonstrate Notre Dame’s values.

Applying the Triple Bottom Line & Procurement Services at Notre Dame

Sustainability isn’t just about preserving the environment—it’s also about sustaining the health of our communities and economic prosperity. Many companies today are embracing the triple bottom line business framework. When possible, consider prioritizing companies that embrace such values.

At Notre Dame, Sustainability and Procurement Services collaborate closely to consider how we can strategically prioritize purchasing processes that help to exemplify the University’s mission and goals. The Procurement Services team spends considerable time vetting suppliers, many of which can be patronized through the buyND+ system. When using the punchout system, look for symbols like the green “ECO” label on products you’re considering.

If you are purchasing items outside of the buyND+ system, such as with a Shamrock card, take a moment to review the company’s “About” page and assess whether their values align with those of Notre Dame. You might review their business with the following questions in mind:

1. What goals or mission statements indicate a commitment to employee well-being?
2. Do they reduce environmental impact by incorporating recycled or responsibly sourced products?
3. Are they supporting local businesses or contributing to the surrounding community?
4. Are there third-party verified ecolabels displayed?

Evaluating these factors, along with the product's life cycle from creation to consumption, can help you better discern the impact of your purchase.

Be Aware of Greenwashing Tactics

Sustainability sells, and businesses know it. According to the American Marketing Association, brands with clear sustainability purposes grow 69% faster than those without. A survey by McKinsey also found that 66% of all consumers, and 75% of millennials, say they consider sustainability when making a purchase.

This explosive growth has, unfortunately, turned “going green” into a billion-dollar marketing strategy for some businesses; companies are responding to consumer demand and competing to win it. As sustainability becomes a selling point, it becomes even more crucial for consumers like you to stay critical. As sustainability becomes a major driver of consumer behavior, some companies are capitalizing on the “trend” without doing the work. This practice, known as greenwashing, involves misleading consumers by making environmental claims that are exaggerated, vague, or even entirely unsubstantiated.

Greenwashing can take many forms, including:

• Using buzzwords like “eco-friendly” or “natural” without providing evidence of certification.
• Featuring images of nature to imply environmental responsibility.
• Displaying self-made or meaningless labels that look official but have no third-party verification.

With so many companies making sustainability claims, it’s important to know which ones are backed by real action.

A helpful resource is the Ecolabel Index (ecolabelindex.com), a great starting point for decoding product labels and understanding what they mean. It’s a global directory of over 450 different ecolabels, each representing various environmental claims and business practices. Some common and credible labels include the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Energy Star, U.S. EPA Safer Choice, Green Seal, Fairtrade, and Certified B Corporation.

See our employee green guide to learn more about sustainable actions employees can take on campus. 

Bridging to Business

Sustainable purchasing isn’t just about what the product is made of, but where it’s sourced and who you purchase from. Shopping locally reduces the transportation emissions typically associated with shipping and supports a community business owner.

To encourage social and economic equity, Notre Dame has established the Bridging to Business program, which seeks out local, small, and independent suppliers in the Michiana region. For every dollar you spend at a locally-owned business, 68 cents stays in that community. When you go to a big box store, only 43 cents stays in that community. You can begin supporting this program by:

• Visiting the Bridging to Business website to identify vendors that are in alignment with the program’s mission, and share vendors you believe fit the criteria to be vetted by the Procurement team. 
• Stopping by the annual Bridging to Business Conference and Expo to meet regional vendors who supply Notre Dame with goods and services.
• Participating in National Small Business Week each May.

Reducing Landfill Waste Through Material Choices

For many departments, the bulk of departmental purchases can be linked back to office supplies, food, and beverage items. In place of single-use plastics or other one-time-use materials, consider how you can reduce waste to care for our common home. Ask yourself: Is there a reusable or less wasteful option for what I’m buying? Common examples include rechargeable batteries over alkaline batteries and refillable coffee pods instead of single-use plastic pods.

In line with fellow campus partners’ practices, cardholders should avoid purchasing Styrofoam for departmental use. None of our retail partners or dining locations offer this material, and we ask that you adhere to this as well. If you require containers for department events, like to-go boxes, opt for recyclable, renewable, or compostable materials.