Operating costs can comprise a substantial chunk of an annual budget whether it is a Fortune 500, a small non-profit, or government agency. From post-it notes and ball point pens, to employee uniforms, cleaning products, garbage bags and light bulbs, not to mention industry specific items like medical supplies, specialty ink and chemical products - the little things add up and can also have big environmental costs.

The Sustainability Purchasing Network in Vancouver, BC, has been working to help businesses and organizations make better decisions when buying these every day items since 2005. Just last November they released the Guide to the Business Case and Benefits of Sustainability Purchasing.

This free, downloadable, 62-page guide clearly lays out the benefits for sustainable buying decisions for goods and services. The guide uses a number of case studies and success stories of how businesses that made small changes actually made a big difference in cost savings for the company. For example:

When the Swedish Medical Centre in Seattle implemented their Supply Chain Management System, they focused on recyclability and reusability. Within a few years, the Centre had reduced their annual supply expenses from 23% to 17.2% of net revenues – for a $16 million USD annual saving.

Falconbridge Limited improved the light quality and energy use of the lighting system at its Primary Aluminum smelter in New Madrid, Missouri. Falconbridge installed high-efficiency lights and fixtures and reconfigured the lighting system, so that it was need-driven. Not only did the plant’s light quality improve, enhancing the workers’ environment, the plant also estimates annual savings of approximately $100,000 USD each year in energy and equipment costs.

The guide also includes a specific how-to section with tips and suggestions on where to start, and how to minimize the costs of making the switch to environmentally responsible purchasing decisions.

It's logical to think of purchasing decisions, especially if the company's mission statement or vision, deals with environmentally or socially responsible business practices. Utlimately, it makes sense for the bottom line. Evaluating sustainability purchasing should be considered for both capital and operating expenditures and should also involve the decsision to not buy - or simply, deciding when to reduce consumption or when a service or product is not necessary.

Download the Guide to the Business Case and Benefits of Sustainability Purchasing.

Via GreenBiz; Sustainability Purchasing Network