Sustainable Procurement

On February 1, 2021, the City approved a Sustainable Procurement Policy which defines the City of Nanaimo’s commitment to meaningfully consider sustainability priorities in the City’s purchasing decisions and outlines Nanaimo’s approach to sustainable procurement. 

By considering the impacts of our purchases and seeking more environmentally and socially responsible goods and services, sustainable procurement contributes to Nanaimo’s efforts toward the recently adopted Doughnut Economic Model. This model places emphasis on working within the planet’s ecological boundaries to support life while maintaining social and economic conditions where society can thrive.

What This Means for Vendors

Depending on the type of procurement, vendors may be asked to provide information on how their goods, services or in-house corporate practices can meet some of the following sustainable procurement priorities:

• Environmental Priorities – goods and services that have been produced, delivered, used and ultimately disposed of in ways that reduce environmental impacts and seek innovations that drive positive outcomes. This may include GHG emissions reductions, waste minimization, pollution prevention, and other relevant environmental issues.
• Social Priorities – create social value and enhance community health and well-being by advancing reconciliation, inclusion, equity and diversity. This may include contracting diverse vendors, and/or and creating opportunities of employment and/or skills training for equity-seeking groups.
• Ethical Priorities – striving to ensure that contractors and their sub-contractors meet internationally recognized minimum ethical supply chain standards. This may include meeting fair labour standards such as no forced labour, upholding health and safety, fair wages, and other relevant ethical issues.

The City of Nanaimo recognizes that its procurement and supply chain practices can have significant impacts on the environment and community. As such, the City aims to foster shared growth, development, and innovation to help achieve better long-term value and outcomes for our Vendors and the community.