As a simple task for any company wishing to promote the need for Green in their community and their marketplace, the SPA has suggested that all companies adopt an "Environmentally Preferred Purchasing" program. This does not preclude the other criteria that may apply to the purchasing process or price competition. The simple task of placing a "Green Clause" in all RFP (Request for Proposal) or pending contracts is simply a smart way to expand the environmental influence through a market sector.
Adding the Green Clause is, however, a matter of Green ethics since a company is asking its customers to "Buy Green" via their company. It seems more than logical that the company would "walk the walk as well as talk the talk." Remember that the environmental crisis is a shared problem that asks that all participate in the solution.
The upgrade of RFPs and pending contracts with the Green Clause seems to comply with the elements of the Green Supply Chain as well. We know that a market is made up of buyers and sellers. To have a viable market, we must have active sellers and active buyers. A preponderance of sellers and a few buyer spells disaster for the marketplace. Therefore, the willingness to place a preference on soliciting Green vendors to seek our business is the smart way to encourage a Greener marketplace as well as a Greener world.
The inclusion of the Green Clause is actually quite simple:
"In harmony with the Green Supply Chain initiative, we (require/prefer/desire) that all bids or quotes submitted per this RFP come from Green certified companies and include Green certified products. Green certification, however, shall be by a national third-party program that verifies and audits the Green and Sustainability claims of all vendors and services for this company."
Any due diligence for Green certification claims are easily resolved by verifying the source of the Green certification. If it is found to come from an Internet website without the requirement for a true third-party audit, the submission may be rejected.
This allows the company to participate in the Green Supply Chain initiative, and the EPA's program for environmentally preferred purchasing. This is also a practical concept that allows a company to apply Green ethics to its internal operations. In the end, businesses demonstrate environmental leadership at a time when it can make a real difference.
By R. Michael Richmond
R. Michael Richmond, is the Director of Development for the Green Business League (http://www.greenbusinessleague.com/) and an avid proponent of Green and sustainable business programs.The Green Business League offers a national certification for Green business that has been broadly received as a leading standard for environmental compliance.
