Health Care

• Look within. From lighting to climate controls to IT, businesses have options for greening the workplace. Purchasers can determine where to start saving resources and costs with the help of full-scale operational analyses offered by selecting suppliers that can help you gauge energy consumption, plan for peak demands, and determine the best return on investment before you buy.

• Then, look within your suppliers. Companies following their own green strategies have first-hand knowledge of their customers’ needs. Does your supplier recycle? How do they manage their energy consumption? Suppliers that can walk the walk will be more capable of talking the talk in a way the procurement professional can understand.

• Look for industry involvement. Suppliers active in organizations and certification programs, such as the U.S. Green Building Council and Energy Star, learn the latest industry information and validate their sustainability position by the time and resources they invest in participating.

• Ask about the product line. Smart green purchases come from suppliers that constantly evaluate their products and develop comprehensive solutions that offer the best value to their customers. Asking about the product line provides insight into the full extent of their capabilities, product knowledge, and any additional support they provide in terms of training, warranties, materials recycling and waste disposal, and much, much more.

• Avoid the unnecessary. Businesses can go the extra green mile by working with suppliers to minimize excess packaging. Some suppliers offer a variety of shipping solutions, such as reusable wire containers, to help purchasers cut back on bulky materials.

• Go beyond the sale. An ideal supplier is one that can not only deliver the product but also offer a comprehensive, integrated solution. Services such as financing, specialist support, and customer training are offered by suppliers that want to ensure the customer receives the full value of the green solution both before and after the sale.