Developing Sustainable Purchasing Policy

Public purchasing is big business, with over $2 trillion spent in the US annually. How this money is spent impacts society and the environment in myriad ways, inviting a detailed examination. Municipalities are developing sustainable purchasing policies (SPPs) to use taxpayer funds strategically with the intent of reducing negative impacts and increasing positive ones. However, implementing these policies has proved daunting. This study was designed to assist a small US Midwest city in implementing its recently adopted SPP. Reviews of relevant literature, sustainable purchasing best practices, and municipalities known as leaders in sustainability were conducted.