Our commitment to sustainable procurement and equipment disposal
The National Centre for Atmospheric Science is committed to integrating environmental sustainability into all aspects of procurement and equipment disposal.
- As part of our commitment to environmental responsibility and operational excellence, we will:
- Consider environmental impacts of products and services and where possible, select those with lower environmental footprints, including lower carbon, longer lifespans, more energy efficient models.
- Endeavour to work with suppliers that demonstrate responsible environmental practices and have higher social and ethical standards, via our host institutions’ purchasing and sustainability policies.
- Promote principles of the circular economy and responsible divestment of equipment and instrumentation, including refurbishment, reuse and recycling, and work with suppliers to develop end of product life solutions.
- Encourage collaborative use of instrumentation and infrastructure to optimise its use and minimise unnecessary duplication of resources.
- Adopt energy efficient processes and select lower carbon options where possible.
- Adhere to institutional best practice in waste and the disposal of assets.
- Provide support for making donations of equipment and the repurposing of instrumentation.
- Enhance data collection and reporting procedures across NCAS to demonstrate progress in sustainable procurement practices and identify priority action areas.
The National Centre for Atmospheric Science’s commitment to sustainable procurement and equipment disposal supports the relevant policies of our host institutions and the Concordat for the Environmental Sustainability of Research and Innovation Practice. It is consistent with recognised frameworks including: the UN Sustainable Development Goals, ISO 20400 standards for Sustainable Procurement, supplier codes of conduct, and Defra’s Flexible Framework Level 4 for sustainable procurement.
Guidance for staff
For our staff, there are practical and personal actions that will support more sustainable procurement and equipment disposal. You can:
- Ask your institution sustainability team for advice about larger or more complex purchases.
- Familiarise yourself with the sustainability requirements and guidelines set by your funders and affiliated institutions.
- Reduce consumption and consider if the purchase you want to make is really necessary.
- Explore opportunities to borrow or loan equipment, ensuring that collaborative use does not compromise scientific quality and that appropriate agreements are in place to support these practices.
- Ask your networks for recommendations of local suppliers.
- Try to consolidate deliveries to reduce transport impacts.
- If you choose to engage suppliers outside the approved institutional list, ensure they demonstrate credible environmental sustainability practices and certifications.
- Look on the suppliers website for sustainability statements or net zero commitments, and ask them to provide carbon or other environmental impact data.
- Discuss end of use options with suppliers if appropriate.
- Work with NCAS sustainability or your local sustainability team to explore environmentally responsible options for equipment disposal.
- Follow your institutions’ recycling and reuse policies.