Use better

The best way to reduce our negative impact and carbon footprint is to use up what we have and avoid any further purchasing. Make sure to:

• always check what your department has in stock before ordering new products
• if a product is damaged, check if it can be repaired before disposing of it
• share any items you no longer use with others in your team so they can be redistributed to people who need them
• regularly install updates on electronic devices to keep them up to date and working efficiently
  

Buy less

Before purchasing any new goods and services for work, research or teaching, you should:

• confirm you really need the product, or that particular model or version of the product
• check if anyone in your department or the wider university has an alternative you can purchase or borrow
• be sure the product or service will be used frequently, effectively and efficiently if it is purchased

If you’re purchasing goods and services for labs, read our guidance on sustainable lab purchasing first.

Don’t forget to let colleagues know if you have products that you’re happy to loan out. For example, when you’re not using them, you can share:

• IT and AV equipment
• books, magazines and journals
• stationery and office supplies

Buy better

When purchasing goods and services, you should:

• find out if you can rent or lease it instead, and if so, find out if take-back schemes and upgrades are included in the contract
• be sure the product or service is good value for money
• push sustainability in your tender - contact the Procurement team for advice
• consider what will happen to your purchased goods at the end of their life and prioritise circularity where possible
• find out where the product is being produced or sourced - buying locally produced or sourced goods reduces transport impacts
• look for a published sustainability commitment from the supplier, including performance data, like their carbon footprint, or other initiatives, like take-back and recycling schemes
• look for environmental or ethical certifications or standards from suppliers
• find out if you and your colleagues can combine orders to reduce the number of deliveries to campus - remember though, buying in bulk is only a sustainable option if all items are used
  

When choosing a product or service, you should:

• prioritise investing in durability and quality, perhaps with a higher up-front cost but an overall reduced lifetime cost
• check the product will be reusable, and that any waste it creates is recyclable
• where applicable, check the product or service comes with a warranty or service contract
• request sustainable packaging if available
• in the case of electronics and electrical items, make sure they’re energy efficient
• if your equipment uses consumables, check they’re sustainable.