Sustainable Procurement

United Utilities won the private sector Sustainable Procurement Award 2009 for embedding sustainability across its supply chain policies.

The campaign resulted in 70 press articles, extensive television coverage, as well as political pledges from Gordon Brown and David Cameron.

The activity:

The activities undertaken are wide and varied and include appointing a full-time supply chain professional; buying more sustainable products; training buyers and holding supply chain ‘surgeries’; an ‘Our Champions’ scheme with prizes for those who make an outstanding contribution to lowering carbon emissions; and seeking out suppliers with sustainable products and services. Progress on the sustainable supply chain is reported every month using the government’s Flexible Framework.

The savings:

Reduced carbon footprint of suppliers since 2008 by changing from daily deliveries to weekly deliveries and reducing packaging; less waste to landfill by choosing recyclable products and reducing consumption; and potential savings of £1 million a year through switching to recycled plastic for ducting.

The achievements:

Sustainability is embedded in the Corporate Responsibility and Supply Chain policies; over 75% of employees are now fully engaged with the issues; its Flexible Framework score had risen from 1 to 14 by April 2009; and, along with five other utility companies, a new scheme is being developed to help suppliers measure and manage their own carbon footprint.