Overview

A large share of the plastic, packaging and disposable materials that reach a university campus arrives through its suppliers — in the equipment, computers and laboratory instruments it buys, in office stationery and consumables, and in the materials used by building contractors. The choices made when these goods and works are specified and purchased determine how much waste the university will later have to manage.

Key points

• Policy Coverage of SuppliersThe RUET SDG Policy and Action Framework (SDG 1–17), prepared by the RUET SDG Policy Committee and held by the Office of the Registrar, requires sustainable procurement to be implemented in accordance with the Public Procurement…
• How the Requirements Reach SuppliersSustainability criteria are to be written into technical specifications at the requisition stage (Action 7), so that suppliers know from the outset that durable, reusable and low-packaging products are expected.

Conclusion

Through the SDG 12 section of its SDG Policy and Action Framework, RUET extends its policies on minimising plastic and disposable items to all of its suppliers: of equipment, stationery, furniture, laboratory materials, cleaning products and building works.