The United Nations estimates that extractive industries are responsible for half of the world’s carbon emissions and more than 80% of biodiversity loss, according to the most comprehensive environmental study undertaken of mining and farming. Our consumption-based linear economy—take, make, waste, discard— is not sustainable. The transition to a circular economy, based on reduce, reuse and recycle, depends on procurement as a key driver. Organizations can support this transition by evaluating the services and products they buy and the companies from whom they choose to do business. Sustainability in supply chain is important to consider since it has both environmental and social implications.

HP’s Sustainable IT Purchasing guide is designed to help Procurement and Sustainability professionals leverage the power of sustainable procurement to advance their sustainability goals, while also contributing to the advancement of the circular economy. It contains resources to help organizations advance sustainable impact through the power of procurement. The focus of this document is on Information Technology (IT), in particular personal computers (PCs), displays, and printers, however the scope (particularly when assessing vendors) can be extended to apply in other procurement areas.

In addition, the Top Recommended Procurement Criteria are designed to enable sustainable purchasing for supplies, personal systems, print solutions and to easily lift and use in Sustainable Purchasing. These criteria were developed with key principles of public procurement in mind and based on criteria commonly used and considered in public tenders.