GreenVET pathway

Environmentally preferable purchasing

Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (Green Procurement) involves choosing products and services with reduced environmental impact throughout their life cycle—focusing on energy efficiency, waste reduction, and the use of recycled or renewable materials.

Key People and Partners Involved

Public institutions and municipalities
Procurement officers and administrators
Environmental NGOs and consultants
Suppliers and eco-certified product manufacturers
Schools and educational institutions

Description of the practice

Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP), also known as green procurement, is an approach to purchasing goods and services that considers their environmental impact throughout the entire life cycle — from production and use to disposal. It aims to reduce the ecological footprint of consumption through smarter choices in procurement.

This means selecting products that generate less pollution, are energy-efficient, reduce waste, and are made from recycled or renewable materials. Such products help conserve natural resources and support a circular economy by prioritizing reuse, recyclability, and durability.

Green procurement plays a key role in public and private sector sustainability strategies. By adopting EPP practices, institutions can drive market demand for environmentally friendly products, set a positive example, and contribute to broader climate and resource-efficiency goals.

Where it’s being implemented

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Impact and Results

The City of Pesaro employed Green Public Procurement to construct the “Antonio Brancati” school as a nearly-zero-energy building, using sustainable materials, strict energy-performance criteria, and LEED-aligned specifications to reduce both CO₂ emissions and operational costs.
https://green-forum.ec.europa.eu/green-business/green-public-procurement/good-practice-library/green-public-procurement-pesaro-school-enhancing-sustainability-educational-infrastructure_en

Implementation Tips and Insights

Ban single-use plastics like cups and cutlery
Choose suppliers offering reusable or compostable options
Prioritize eco-labeled and energy-efficient products
Include sustainability criteria in service contracts
Educate staff and students on green purchasing goals

Useful Links and Resources

This link might not lead to content in English language. Use your browser's translate function or automatic captions to explore this resource. Green Public Procurement: Procuring goods, services and works with a reduced environmental impact throughout their life cycle.
https://green-forum.ec.europa.eu/green-business/green-public-procurement_en
Since March 31, 2019, Irish public institutions—including schools—have been banned from purchasing single-use plastic cups, cutlery, and straws, as mandated by government policy
https://www.thejournal.ie/single-use-plastic-ireland-4422871-Jan2019/
Sweden has institutionalized green procurement at the national level through its Public Procurement Agency, which provides mandatory sustainability criteria and sector-specific guidelines. Schools, hospitals, and public transport systems are required to consider climate impact and circular economy goals in their purchasing decisions.
https://www.upphandlingsmyndigheten.se/en/sustainable-public-procurement/