Green Procurement Questionnaire for Suppliers

This assignment requires you to design a questionnaire for potential and existing suppliers to evaluate their commitment to sustainable practices. The questionnaire should focus on their products and services, packaging materials, and their own environmental policies and initiatives. It aims to help your firm identify and partner with suppliers who prioritize green procurement.

a. BSBSUS401: Assessment1
What you have to do
You are to complete the following tasks based on your current workplace. If you do not have
a current workplace you may base your assessment on a previous employer or your home
office.
PLEASE USE THE TEMPLATE SUPPLIED TO ANSWER YOUR QUESTIONS. Please
type your answers under the relative questions in the template attached at the back of
this assessment.
.
Task
You have been asked by your manager to implement a number of environmental sustainable
practices for your current workplace. In particular you are asked to investigate:
 current usage of paper;
 type of paper purchased;
 the suppliers that the business deals with; and
 environmental regulations that impact your business.
From your investigation you will introduce performance improvement strategies for
minimising usage and sourcing environmentally friendly paper; monitoring measures;
continual improvement; and green procurement in accessing suitable suppliers.
Choose whatever resource is most applicable to your company or home office. This project
uses paper usage, but you may substitute this with electricity, water, chemicals, fuel etc.
Task one: Investigate current practices in relation to resource usage
a. Provide a brief overview of your workplace or home office (a short paragraph is
sufficient).
b. Provide a brief description of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997
(POEO Act) and how it applies to business. You can directly access the objectives of
the Act at:
c. Conduct an environmental review of paper usage in your workplace or home office
by filling in the audit report (use ‘audit report’ in template supplied). This report should
identify environmental impacts of using paper; the average monthly consumption;
current purchasing practices; and any non-compliance.
Task two: Set targets for improvement
Looking at your audit report and using the ‘improvement in sustainability practices’ table
in the template, include three areas of improvement. You must include possible strategies

and actions to achieve the improvements; realistic objectives and targets to improve paper
resource efficiency; and key personnel who assist in setting achievable improvement targets.
Task three: Implement performance improvement strategies
a. Before you implement your sustainable recommendations regarding paper usage,
you are required to consult with other stakeholders. Write one paragraph setting out
how you will seek suggestions and ideas about environmental and resource
efficiency management from key personnel in your workplace, or external specialists.
These suggestions may enhance your own ideas for improvement.
b. To apply the Waste management hierarchy in the workplace you need to
demonstrate how your performance strategies will be implemented and who is
responsible for their implementation. Use the ‘improvement in sustainability
practices’ table in the template. Place the most preferred action first to the least
preferred. Include tools and describe strategies that will measure and monitor the
effectiveness of the recommended practices. (E.g. key personnel, training, support,
communication methods).
c. To promote your sustainability practice, you must conduct a cost analysis for your
manager. This table is also in your template.
COSTING ANALYSIS FOR PAPER
Improvement
Strategy
ORIGINAL
USAGE
ORIGINAL
$ per unit
ORIGINAL
TOTAL $
PROJECTED
USAGE
PROJECTED
$ per unit
PROJECTE
D TOTAL $ SAVINGS $
Improvement
strategy 1
Improvement
strategy 2
Improvement
strategy 3
SAVINGS
Task four: Monitor performance
a. Now that you have implemented improvements in paper usage, you need to
evaluate, review and report to stakeholders on how effective the improvements have
been. Use the ’review of performance strategies’ table in the template. You must
include how you will review your methods; whether you met your sustainability
performance outcomes; how you report outcomes; which stakeholders will get the
review report; and who is responsible for the report.
b. How will you promote your success strategies within your workplace? Also consider
how you can reward staff for following your recommendations. Can you suggest a
system for staff to contribute their own ideas for sustainability?

Task five: Green procurement
Your manager is very happy with your recommendations and would like to enhance the
image of the business by adopting a green procurement strategy.
Design a questionnaire that you can circulate to your suppliers. This questionnaire will allow
your firm to compare potential and existing suppliers based on sustainable outcomes. You
should include questions based on their products and services, packaging, and their own
sustainable practices and policies. Your questionnaire should include at least 10 questions
which allow your organisation to assess the viability of doing business with a supplier that
also has sustainable initiatives.
Checklist
I have:
 Used the template to answer the questions
 Answered all five tasks in the assessment
 Included my name, student number, unit number, assessment number
 Reviewed and spell checked my document
Saved a copy on my own computer.

Case Study Template BSBSUS401
Task one: Investigate current practices in relation to resource usage
*Please note if you conduct this assessment on your home office you must also include how you could apply your answers to a mid-size organisation.
a. Provide a brief overview of your workplace or home office (a short paragraph is sufficient).
Hunter Mason is a company that is engaged in construction management consultancy. It is a medium size firm that operates in Australia. The
company was established in 2013 by Matthew Callender. It provides variety of services to customers in construction field. It has been ranked 7th fastest
growing companies in AFR fast 2017. They are highly engaged in various construction projects as well such as buildings, roads, dams, etc. moreover, the
company is growing very rapidly in several areas of Australia. It has also expanded their operations in UK in providing consultancy services to companies.
b. Provide a half-page description of the Protection of the Environment Operations Act 1997 (POEO Act). You can directly access the objectives of
the Act at:
This act is imposed by Australian government on business and companies and is administered by EPA. It was developed in 1997 and become operated
from 1st July 1999. In this, there are many other acts that are clean air act 1961, noise control act 1975, etc. The main objective of this act is to adopt more
innovative approached to reduce pollution (Marshall and et.al., 2015). For this policies, goals and standards are developed. Besides this, it issues license to
business to protect environment.
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- Explain how it applies to YOUR business.
The above act is implied on every companies that are operating in Australia. It also applies to Hunter Mason. As it is engaged in construction
sector, this act must be followed strictly. The company should develop projects by using renewable resources. They should also ensure that environment is
not impacted due to any project. In particular area water, noise and air pollution must be checked.
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c. Conduct an environmental review of paper usage in your workplace or home office by filling in the audit report on the following page. This report
will identify environmental impacts of using paper; the average monthly consumption; current purchasing practices; and any non-compliance.
AUDIT REPORT
a. Resource Audit of: Paper usage (or electricity, fuel, chemicals, etc.)
b. What work processes and
data did you analyse in order
to conduct this audit?
c. (staff surveys,
documentation, invoices)
d.
e. Work processes observed: For this how blueprint of
construction plan is developed was analysed.
f.
g.
h. Actual Data analysed: Also, data of bills of paper
purchased was collected
i.
j.
k. Environmental impacts l. (Explain how use of paper can impact the
environment)
m.
n. There is great impact on environment due to use of
paper. The reason behind that is paper is made from
trees. So if more paper is consumed than more trees
are cut. This leads to deforestation. It affects the
atmosphere and creates disturbances in weather
conditions.
o.
p.
q.
r.
s.
t.
u.
v.
w. Stakeholders x. (Include who has direct influence on the organisation
in sustainable practices)
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Stakeholder consist of consumers, government, directors,
employees, etc. so these all are having direct influence on
organisation. They are responsible for following sustainable
practice so that environment is protected (Ten Brink., 2017).
Government develops rules and regulations. This is the duty
of directors to impose them in organisation. Besides this,
employees has to follow those practices.
y. Resource consumed per
month (use average)
(Measure by reams purchased)
It has been observed from the annual report of organisation
that resources consumed during per month is approx. $1
million. Also, there is rise in this each quarter.
Purchasing practices (Explain how you currently purchase paper) Could this be
improved?
Currently, paper is purchased from suppliers. There is only
one supplier through which it is purchased. No, it cannot be
improved.
Paper (or other resource) usage non-compliance (or bad practice) with sustainable business practices
z.
Describe the problem Explain why it does not comply with
sustainable practices
Non-compliance (or bad practice)
1:
Excessive use of paper
In Hunter mason every activity related to developing
plan of site was done on paper. Also, communication between
employees was done by sending letters and reports
It is not a sustainable practice because there
is lot of paper use in this. This is resulting in
wastage.
Non-compliance (or bad practice)
2:
Use of plastic
Along with use of paper, plastic was also been
used to send reports and projects. This was resulting in
wastage as well.
Use of plastic leads to impact of environment to a
great extent. Also, it is not easily decomposed.
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Non-compliance (or bad practice)
3:
Wastage of electricity
As Hunter mason is consultancy firm, it
uses a lot of devices such as printers, fax machine, computers,
etc. this consumers a lot of electricity. Many times they are
kept on to ensure smooth running of operations.
This practise results in increase in
pollution level.
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Task two: set targets for improvement
Looking at your audit report, include three areas of improvement. You must include possible strategies and actions to achieve the improvements;
realistic objectives and targets to improve paper resource efficiency; and key personnel that assist in setting achievable improvement targets.
Use the following table:
IMPROVEMENTS IN
SUSTAINABILITY
PRACTICES
Paper Usage
aa. Area bb. Possible actions/strategy cc. Objective Who is involved? Measurable
target (this
should have a
%)
Target date
Improvement
strategy 1
(Name of improvement)
Development of
plans
In this plans can be developed on
systems by installing some
applications or software’s.
The objective is to
reduce the use of
paper. Moreover,
modifications can
be done easily and
quickly.
Employees and
managers who are
involved in it.
Implementing
this will help in
reducing
paperwork to
20%
20/8/2018
Improvement
strategy 2
(Name of improvement)
Communication
In this an E mail application can be
installed to communicate with each
other. Also, reports can be shared on
it.
The aim is to
remove paperwork
in communication
among
management and
employees.
Employees,
managers and
customers who
communicate with
each other.
Implementing
this will help in
eliminating
paperwork while
communication.
15/9/2018
Improvement
strategy 3
(Name of improvement)
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Information
technology
There should be computers installed
in company. Moreover, a database
should be implemented.
Goal is to store and
maintain reports
and projects on it.
IT experts that will
ensure reports are
stored.
With use of this,
plastic will be
reduced that is
used to store
reports.
6/11/2018
Task three: Implement performance improvement strategies
a. Before you implement your sustainable recommendations regarding paper usage, you are required to consult with other stakeholders. Write one
paragraph on how you will seek suggestions and ideas about environmental and resource efficiency management from key personnel in your
workplace, or specialists. These suggestions enhance your own ideas for improvement.
In order to reduce usage of paper, it is essential that stakeholder should be informed about strategies. Besides this, it also helps in taking their ideas
and suggestions on how it can be implemented. In this, stakeholder will be told about how reducing the use of paper will help in protecting environment.
Also, it will be explained to them that how reducing paperwork will increase efficiency. This will help in creating a better and good image in market.
Along with this, more customers will be attracted through (Srbinovska and et.al.,2015). Stakeholder will be explained the benefits of sustaining for long
term. It will encourage them to give their ideas on what strategies should be developed.
b. To apply the Waste management hierarchy in the workplace you need to demonstrate how your performance strategies will be implemented and who
is responsible for their implementation. Use the ‘improvement in sustainability practices’ table in the template.
Place the most preferred action first to the least preferred. Include tools and describe strategies that will measure and monitor the effectiveness of the
recommended practices. (E.g. key personnel, training, support, communication methods) by filling out the Implement Improvements in Sustainable Paper
To implement waste management hierarchy in Hunter Mason it is important to assign roles and responsibilities so that strategies are effectively
implemented. This is because it will state that who will perform what task and responsible for it. Moreover, it will help in monitoring of practices. The
following is as follows:-
Key personnel- In this, the human resource will be responsible for developing policies on using of paper (Bennett, James and Klinkers, 2017). They will
ensure that those policies are properly followed and in case of any violation, measures are taken. It will also restrict them to use paper in their work.
Training- For this, manager will provide training to employees on how to use technological systems so that paperwork can be reduced. Effective training
will help in quick sharing of information. This will also motivate employees to use less paper.
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Practices table on the following page:
© NSW EPA
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IMPLEMENT
IMPROVEMENTS IN
SUSTAINABLE
PAPER
PRACTICES
Paper Usage (or
other resource)
Area of
improvement
strategy
How it will be
implemented (What
are the steps needs
to make your
improvement
happen)
Who is
responsible?
Methods to
communicate to
work team
Tools/s or
strategies to
measure and
monitor usage
Implementation
date
Comments
Improvement
Strategy 1
Restricting the
limit of use of
paper
For this change in
policies of use of
paper will be done.
Top management
and managers of
Hunter mason
By organising
meetings and
sending E mails to
them
For this policies
and rules will be
developed and
monitoring will
be done
14/8/2018
Improvement
strategy 2
(Name of improvement)
Installing
applications for
communication
In this requirement
must be identified
and accordingly
systems are
implemented.
Stakeholders and
government
Providing training
to them.
Monitoring and
observation of
employees
1/10/2018
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Improvement
strategy 3
(Name of improvement)
Recycling and
reusing waste
By reducing the
purchase of paper and
developing policies
Employees and
management
By giving them
instructions
Comparing the
usage and reuse
of paper.
30/11/2018
c. To promote your sustainability practice, you must conduct a cost analysis for your manager.
(Add under improvement strategy what the unit you are measuring represents e.g. ream, bin, tablet, wattage, litres, etc.)
YEARLY
COSTING
ANALYSIS FOR
PAPER (or other
resource)
Improvement strategy ORIGINAL
USAGE
units
ORIGINAL
COST
$ per unit
ORIGINAL
USAGE
TOTAL
PROJECTED
USAGE
units
PROJECTED
COST
$ per unit
PROJEC
TED
USAGE
TOTAL
SAVINGS (ORIGINAL
USAGE TOTAL –
PROJECTED USAGE
TOTAL)
Improvement strategy 1 100 $50 $5000 50 $30 $1500 $3500
Improvement strategy 2 10 $100 $1000 5 $80 $400 $600
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Improvement strategy 3 20 $20 $400 10 $15 $150 $250
TOTAL SAVINGS $ 4350
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Task four: Monitor performance
a. Now that you have implemented improvements in paper usage, you need to evaluate, review and report to stakeholders on how effective the
improvements have been. You must include how you will review your methods (Examples could include invoices, observation etc.), whether you
met your sustainability performance outcomes, how you report outcomes (Examples could include newsletters, committee minutes), which
stakeholders will get the review report and who is responsible for writing/collating the report. Use the table below to record your review strategies
and results.
REVIEW OF
PERFORMANCE
STRATEGIES
Paper Usage (or
other resource)
Improvement
strategy
Review/
monitoring
method/s –
how will you
know if your
improvement
is successful?
Target met or not? Method of
reporting
outcomes
Who is responsible
to make report?
Stakeholders
to get report
Required action
Improvement strategy
1: developing plans
By comparing
costing sheet of
each month
Not met Developi
ng
financial
statement
s
Superiors Yes Reducing limit
of using paper
Improvement strategy
2: installing
applications for
Monitoring
operations
Met By providing
them
feedback
Employees No Updating
systems
frequently
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communication
Improvement strategy
3: recycling and
reusing waste
Monitoring the
waste
generated and
how it used by
staff.
Met Displayi
ng
reports in
general
meetings
Managers Yes Developing a
proper
procedure of
recycling
waste.
Task 4b
Include how you will promote your success strategies within your workplace.
The strategies will be promoted by providing training to them. In this, it will be shown that reducing the use paper can lead to effective
communication moreover, how 3D view of site and plan can be obtained by using software. Employees will be shown how image of Hunter mason can be
improved in market. It will also result in reducing cost and increasing profits margin.
How you can reward staff for following your recommendations.
They can be rewarded on basis of their performance (Epstein, 2018). It means how well and effectively they motivate others for implementing strategies.
Moreover, by observing them and writing down their contribution towards using those practices. Along with this, a standard reward can be provided to all
employees working in company.
Can you suggest a system for staff to contribute their own ideas for sustainability?
For this feedback of staff will be taken in specific time period so that their views and suggestions is taken. By this it will be easy to develop strategies and
increase sustainable practises in company. Staff can be asked for giving free advice to managers regarding change in systems. They will be rewarded if
suggestion or idea given by them is successfully implemented.
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Task five: Green procurement
Your manager is very happy with your recommendations and would like to enhance the image of the business by adopting a green procurement strategy.
Design a questionnaire that you can circulate to your suppliers. This questionnaire will allow your firm to compare potential and existing suppliers based
on sustainable outcomes. You should include questions based on their products and services, packaging, and their own sustainable practices and
policies. Your questionnaire should be at least 10 questions for your organisation to assess the viability of doing business with a supplier that also has
sustainable initiatives.
The questionnaire is as follows: -
Q-1 Do you know about sustainable practises
 Yes
 No
Q-2 Does you follow or implemented any sustainable practise in business operations?
 Yes
 No
Q-3 Are there any policies been developed and followed by your business?
 Yes
 No
Q-4 Do you think that reducing the use of products will help in sustainable practises?
 Yes
 No
Q-5 What type of sustainable practices your company follows?
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 Recycling paper waste
 Utilising resources effectively
 Minimising wastage of paper and plastic
Q-6 what type of paper do you provide ?
 Thick
 Thin
 Reusable
Q-7 Do you use plastic in packaging bundle of paper?
 Yes
 No
Q-8 Do you contribute towards CSR activities?
 Yes
 No
Q-9 Have you taken any step towards promoting sustainable practices?
 Yes
 No
Q-10 Do you reuse and recycle products to reduce wastage?
 Yes
 No
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References
Books and journals
Bennett, M., James, P. and Klinkers, L. eds., 2017. Sustainable measures: Evaluation and reporting of environmental and social performance. Routledge.
Epstein, M.J., 2018. Making sustainability work: Best practices in managing and measuring corporate social, environmental and economic impacts.
Routledge.
Marshall, D. and et.al., 2015. Environmental and social supply chain management sustainability practices: construct development and
measurement. Production Planning & Control. 26(8).pp.673-690.
Srbinovska, M and et.al., 2015. Environmental parameters monitoring in precision agriculture using wireless sensor networks. Journal of Cleaner
Production. 88. pp.297-307.
Ten Brink, P. ed., 2017. Voluntary environmental agreements: process, practice and future use. Routledge.
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