List of Existing Best Practices | Canada

Public

Organization, Initiative and WebsiteShort SynopsisKey Words
BC Hydro

Power Smart

Features fact sheets, Home Energy Profile, Appliance Calculator, Power Smart Tips, Energy Library, Shop Power Smart, Power Smart Homes and more.
  • Database

  • Resource Centre

City of Richmond

Environmental Purchasing Guide

Guide that includes their environmental purchasing policy; considerations before you buy; guidelines for purchasing specific kinds of products; and sample specifications.
  • Guide

  • Specifications

Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade (DFAIT)

Environmental Procurement

Provides extensive information: terms and concepts; government policies and private sector initiatives; existing environmental standards; characteristics of environmental products and services; how to buy green; numerous checklists and other reference materials.
  • Resource Centre

  • Information

  • Checklists

  • Guidelines

Environment Canada

Greener Procurement

Green Purchasing and Procurement Program

Offers links, green procurement policy, EC Case Study, checklist, green furniture checklist and environmental specifications for office furniture.

The Green Purchasing and Procurement Program focuses on products certified with Canada's "Environmental Choice" Eco-Logo Program, and on following the guidelines of the Energy Pathways Inc. reference guide developed for the G-7 Environmental Summit.

  • Resource Centre

  • Guidelines

  • Eco-Logo Program

  • Policy

  • Specifications

Greater Vancouver Regional District (GVRD)

Sustainable Region Initiative

Provides a framework, vision, and action plan for Greater Vancouver based on the concept of sustainability that embraces economic prosperity, community well being, and environmental integrity.
  • Policy Example

  • Program

Natural Resources Canada

Energy Star

The international ENERGY STAR® symbol is a simple way for consumers to identify products that are among the most energy-efficient on the market.
  • Labelling

  • Energy Saving

Province of Manitoba

Sustainable Development Procurement Guidelines

Demonstrates how to promote and incorporate the principles and guidelines of sustainable development into all facets of government activity through policies, goal setting, action plans and delegation of responsibilities.
  • Policy - Example and Guide

Public Works and Government Services Canada (PWGSC)


"The Green Procurement Network"


"A Guide to Buying Green"

The Green Procurement Network is an intranet site for PWGSC employees only. It provides information and guidance on how to green their purchases of goods and services.

"A Guide to Buying Green" is an e-class-training tool for all procurement officers. A 1-day classroom-style-training course is also available.

  • Information

  • Training

The Treasury Board Advisory Committee on Contracts Working Group on Green Procurement

PROPOSED Green Procurement Policy

The proposed green procurement policy includes a specific policy objective, a policy statement, quantifiable goals, key definition, policy requirements, guidelines based on the life cycle approach (planning, acquisition, maintenance and operations, and disposal), monitoring and reporting, relationship and affect with other policies and references.
  • Policy


Private & Not-for-Profit

Organization, Initiative and WebsiteShort SynopsisKey Words
Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy (CIELAP)

Website

CIELAP is an independent, not-for-profit research and educational organization whose mission is to provide leadership in the research and development of environmental law and policy that promotes the public interest and sustainability.
  • Policy

  • Legislation

Canadian Standards Association

Environmentally Responsible Procurement Standard

Standard, for purchase, explaining the steps to environmental procurement.
  • Standards

Centre for Indigenous Environmental Resources, Inc

Website

Procara®

GreenPurchasing.ca

Econexus.net

Establishing and implementing environmental capacity-building initiatives for First Nations through the development of the education, research and technical resources for green purchasing among other environmental issues.
  • Databases

  • Resource Centre

Conservation Council of Ontario

Green Ontario - Buy Green

Resource centre for buying green including green procurement, green retailers, green labels, green businesses, green investments, hemp, food and office supplies.
  • Resource Centre

Equiterre

Website

Promotes ecological, socially just choices through action, education and research from a standpoint that embraces social justice, economic solidarity and the defence of the environment.

Programs cover: Fair trade, ecological agriculture, sustainable transportation, and energy efficiency.

  • Fair trade

Governments Incorporating Procurement Policies to Eliminate Refuse (G.I.P.P.E.R.)

G.I.P.P.E.R.’s Guide to Environmental Purchasing

A tool to assist purchasers' to incorporate environmental considerations into the procurement process. It describes a number of methods for doing this, one of which, is the application of environmental criteria to target product and service categories.
  • Guide

  • Guidelines

Green Building Information Council

Website

Non-profit organization whose mission is to disseminate information about energy and environmental issues in the building sector from other sources and organizations around the world.
  • Building Information

Innovative Management Solutions (IMS)

A guide to Green Products and Services

Guidelines; standards; and certification services; green products and services; information on purchasing and the environment; and news updates.
  • Resource Centre

Interface Flooring Systems Canada Inc.

Website

Develops a full range of product and service solutions designed to take less from the environment while continuing to provide optimum performance and value.
  • Products

  • Policy

International Institute for Sustainable Development

Business and Sustainable Development: A Global Guide

Liaison between business and the environment through information sharing and advice, case studies, lobbying reports and links.
  • Information

La Coop La Maison Verte

Website

A community-based, member-owned cooperative offering environmental products, services and consulting.
  • Products and services

  • Policy

Markets Initiative

Website

Works directly with Canadian companies to develop practical and economic ways to shift their wood and paper use away from ancient and endangered forest products to ecologically sound alternatives.
  • Forestry products

  • Information

Oceans Blue Foundation

Website

Helps to conserve coastal environments through environmentally responsible tourism by focusing on developing and promoting best practices and standards for all sectors of the tourism industry.
  • Best practices

  • Standards

Recycling Council of Alberta

Enviro Business Guide

Promotes and facilitates waste reduction, recycling, and resource conservation in the Province of Alberta. Tools include a searchable database of environmentally preferable companies based on product or service category as well as an extensive links page.
  • Resource Centre

  • Company database

Small & Rubin Ltd.

The Envirodesic™ Certification Program

The Envirodesic™ certification mark is licensed to qualified builders, manufacturers and service-providers whose buildings, products and services meet stringent standards for healthy indoor environments. The Envirodesic team also helps manufacturers develop products, which are ecologically sustainable.
  • Certification

TerraChoice Marketing Services Inc.

Environmental Choice Program

Canada's only national and comprehensive ecolabelling program includes a listing of products and services that are third party verified and certified environmentally responsible.
  • Certification

  • Product Listing