Dr Zoe Robinson, Keele University, Greening Business: An online teaching resource. Greening Business: An online teaching resource Session 8 Session 8: Purchasing Suggested activities

Dr Zoe Robinson, Keele University, Greening Business: An online teaching resource. Activity 1: Certification schemes Choose a certification scheme (e.g. Marine Stewardship Council, Fairtrade etc.) Research the scheme (see opposite) Give a short presentation to the class on the scheme As a class, discuss how these schemes differ, what you think are the best schemes and what schemes you would include in purchasing decisions as an individual and an organisation Examples of issues to consider –Who is it run by? –What are its aims? –What are the benefits of the scheme? –What are the criteria that are needed to achieve certification? –How much does the scheme really achieve? –Are there criteria that are not included in the scheme that you think should be?)

Dr Zoe Robinson, Keele University, Greening Business: An online teaching resource. Activity 2: Green purchasing policy As the Environmental Officer working in your Students’ Union you have decided to develop a green purchasing policy. You want to focus on developing ‘green’ criteria that must be considered when purchasing a) electronic equipment such as printers and computers, b) paper and other office supplies, and c) food for the student refectory. Design a table/checklist of ‘green’ criteria to consider when making purchasing decisions in each of these areas As a class: –try and rank these criteria in order of importance –Discuss what other criteria must be included in purchasing decisions –How important do you think the green criteria are compared to other criteria?