Procurement and environment related FAQs

Does Newham take the environment seriously?

Yes, Newham subscribes to the Mayor of London's Green Procurement Code (MGPC) and we currently hold the Silver level Award against an "entry/bronze/silver/gold levels" on the Code. As an important consumer and opinion leader Newham has also achieved Fair Trade Borough status which facilitates the promotion and purchase of foods with the FairTrade Mark. Support for Fair Trade also shows Newham's commitment to sustainable development by ensuring that poor, disadvantaged producers have more opportunities to get a fair price for their produce.The council has pool cars which are Toyota Prius low CO2 vehicles used for travelling round the borough and we are reviewing our other fleet options. We also have office recycling schemes and have reduced staff travel to meetings, etc by about 70% by moving back office operations to Newham Dockside.

My business is too small to have a formal environmental management system. Does this mean that I can't bid for council contracts?

No, not normally. However, you will need to be able to explain how you take environmental matters into account on a day-to-day basis. Preparing an Environmental Statement would be a useful start. It should include your understanding of managing environmental matters within your business sector and how you seek to address these in your service delivery. It would be made clear in the tender documents, if for some specialist work, this might be a requirement. When this is not the case, we do expect contractors to work with Newham to accomplish its goals with regard to carbon reduction and other environmental initiatives.

I represent a large firm; do we have to have EMS or ISO 14001?

It is preferred and in some instances, the tender may require one of these accreditations or similar.

Does every company have to have an Environmental Policy?

All firms are expected to have a policy or statement that falls in line with Newham's stated objectives and is appropriate for the size and business of the company.

Can I supply any type of timber?

No, the Council will only procure timber or timber products that have been independently certified under a credible independent third party certification scheme such as FSC or equivalent, where a full audit trail of chain of custody can be provided. Invoices for timber or timber products must include the FSC or other similar scheme chain of custody certification number which will be audited.

Does the Council use recycled paper?

Yes, 100% recycled paper is used in public buildings.

Are environmental products promoted within the council?

Yes - where price lists of contracted products are supplied to council staff, emphasis is placed on the choice of recycled products wherever practical.

Do tenders specify environmental issues relevant to the contract?

Yes - tenders will normally require relevant issues such as reduction of packaging, reduction of journeys by route planning, green travel plans, Fairtrade products, waste management targets, rethink, recycle, reuse and reduction strategies.

Are contracts managed or can I forget the things I put in the tender once I have won the contract?

No, contract management is taken seriously and Key Performance Indicators (KPIs) will be set and monitored at regular review meetings.

Does Newham have a CO2 reduction scheme?

Yes Newham has set rigorous targets for reduction of CO2 and is working with the Carbon Trust and Forum for the Future to support us in achieving these goals.

Are Newham schools built to any environmental standards?

On both the BSF (Building Schools for the Future) and the primary capital programme for schools, the requirement is for BREEAM (BRE Environmental Assessment Method) "very good" rating on all major new school buildings and refurbishment projects.

Does Newham use networked copiers?

Yes, our back office facilities use networked multi function devices and are monitored for effective reduction in use and cost. This has rationalised the number of printers which we previously used in individual offices.

Where, as a small firm, can I get help?

London Remade can assist in a variety of ways. Check out their website at www.londonremade.com. Newham Council Regeneration group and/or East London Business Place can also assist.

Does the council create lots of paperwork?

The council has made huge inroads into having paperless offices wherever possible and the volume of paper used by the council has reduced. The council now carries out its tendering electronically via NECTR (Newham's Electronic Contract and Tendering Resource).

I make environmentally friendly products. How can I sell them to the council?

Where we buy large quantities of products or a large range of similar products, we are required to tender. To keep our costs down, we will usually group similar products - such as all our cleaning materials- into one contract. However, if you feel the product you sell would be of benefit to the council, let us know and we can direct you to our contracted supplier.

Does council highways work consider the environment?

Yes. Wherever possible waste will be recycled on site, materials used will be sustainable or and we will have considered the whole life costs and impact of use.