Industry: Public Sector (Government Procurement)

Background: Brazil’s public procurement accounts for a significant portion of its GDP. Recognizing the potential to drive sustainability, the Brazilian government initiated a Sustainable Public Procurement (SPP) program focusing on various products, including recycled paper.

Procurement Strategy: The strategy involved integrating environmental considerations into procurement processes:

• Policy Development: The government developed policies promoting the purchase of recycled paper, aiming to reduce environmental impact and support the recycling industry.
• Supplier Engagement: Efforts were made to engage suppliers capable of providing recycled paper products, ensuring they met environmental and quality standards.
• Capacity Building: Training programs were implemented for procurement officials to understand the benefits and specifications of recycled products, facilitating informed decision-making.

Outcome: The initiative led to positive environmental impacts, including reduced waste and support for the recycling sector. The program also demonstrated the government’s commitment to sustainable practices, influencing other sectors to adopt similar approaches.

These case studies illustrate how strategic procurement practices can lead to significant economic and environmental benefits across various industries.