Continuing education in both formal and informal fashions must be developed to increase the efficacy of the procurement agent, with regard to "green" purchasing. Changing both large and small organization patterns for procurement can eventually trickle down to even the most uncaring consumers, of which there is a dwindling number. Sroufe, provides a list of environmental performance indicators which have become increasingly important and recognizable issues in today's production society.
2006, p.15) ii) the business reasons for "greener purchasing"
There are literally hundreds of reasons for the development of sustainable business practices, not the least of which is ensuring the long-term existence of the business and production needs.
Among those that are most important are the following:
Sustainable production: Purchasing "green" enhances sustainable production that utilizes the greatest amount of raw materials, gleaned in the most environmentally friendly manner to develop the highest yield with the lowest cost and does not unnecessarily waste resources such as overhead costs, labor or raw materials.
Increased CSR: Corporate Social Responsibility is a significant aspect of doing business today. It is an acknowledgement by a corporation that its responsibility is not only to its own gains or the gains of stakeholders but is instead and acknowledgement that the business sis a part of the greater community and must therefore contribute to its health and
When materials are procured from and in a manner that is responsive to the environment the decreased environmental impact reduces exposure of employees and the greater community to contaminants that may have been present in other products or materials or that may have been used to produce or procure materials. The farther the distance the materials come from the larger the global impact, though this is not to say that one of the most important aspects of "green" purchasing is buying local to reduce the
significant impact of transporting goods to use.
Increased community acceptance: In any given community a company or organization, which is truthfully purchasing and producing in a sustainable manner, will be more accepted than one that, is not.
Possible reduced cost: Cost reduction may be a short or long-term prospect but it has been repeatedly shown that sustainable practices are more cost effective than non-sustainable practices even if such savings are in the form of long-term savings to the environment.
Waste reduction: Global and local waste reduction, with an emphasis on both cost savings for waste removal and the simple utilization of more raw materials is a significant aspect of "green" purchasing.
Increased sustainability of suppliers: Those suppliers who have made the effort to create products or obtain raw materials in a manner that is more environmentally conscious will be further sustained by contract and limited purchasing and will therefore be more likely to be available in the
