Every organisation makes purchasing decisions. The products, equipment, services and suppliers selected by an organisation can have significant environmental, social and ethical impacts.

Within assistance animal practice, procurement decisions influence not only environmental sustainability but also:

• animal welfare;
• client outcomes;
• workplace safety;
• accessibility;
• financial sustainability;
• community responsibility; and
• organisational values.

Sustainable procurement involves considering more than the immediate cost of a product or service. It requires organisations to consider the full lifecycle impact of purchasing decisions, including:

• where products come from;
• how they are made;
• how long they last;
• how they are maintained;
• how they are disposed of; and
• the broader social and environmental impacts associated with their production.

Ethical procurement recognises that organisations have a responsibility to make purchasing decisions that align with their values and professional obligations.

Understanding Sustainable Procurement

What Is Sustainable Procurement?

Sustainable procurement is the process of selecting goods and services that provide value while considering environmental, social and ethical impacts.

Traditional procurement often focuses primarily on:

• purchase price;
• availability;
• convenience.

Sustainable procurement considers additional factors, including:

• durability;
• lifecycle costs;
• environmental impact;
• supplier practices;
• ethical manufacturing;
• animal welfare;
• social responsibility;
• accessibility; and
• organisational sustainability goals.

Why Sustainable Procurement Matters in Assistance Animal Practice

Assistance animal organisations rely on a wide range of products and services, including:

• harnesses and equipment;
• leads and collars;
• training equipment;
• enrichment resources;
• grooming products;
• cleaning supplies;
• veterinary supplies;
• office equipment;
• technology;
• vehicles;
• uniforms;
• facility resources.

Each purchasing decision creates an opportunity to:

• reduce waste;
• support responsible businesses;
• improve product longevity;
• reduce environmental impacts;
• support ethical supply chains.

The Product Lifecycle Approach

A key principle of sustainable procurement is considering the entire lifecycle of a product.

The lifecycle includes:

1. Design and Production

Consider:

• materials used;
• manufacturing processes;
• environmental impacts;
• labour practices;
• ethical sourcing.

Questions to consider:

• Was the product produced responsibly?
• Are materials sustainable?
• Are workers treated fairly?

2. Transportation and Distribution

Consider:

• distance travelled;
• transport emissions;
• packaging;
• supply chain impacts.

Questions to consider:

• Can local suppliers be used?
• Is unnecessary packaging avoided?
• Are transport impacts considered?

3. Use and Maintenance

Consider:

• durability;
• repairability;
• cleaning requirements;
• ongoing costs.

Questions to consider:

• Will the product last?
• Can it be repaired?
• Does it require frequent replacement?

4. End-of-Life Management

Consider:

• reuse;
• recycling;
• disposal;
• repurposing.

Questions to consider:

• Can the item be reused?
• Can materials be recycled?
• Is disposal environmentally responsible?

Ethical Supply Chains

Understanding Supply Chains

A supply chain includes all stages involved in creating and delivering a product or service.

This may include:

• raw materials;
• manufacturing;
• packaging;
• transport;
• suppliers;
• retailers;
• end users.

Ethical supply chain considerations include:

• environmental responsibility;
• fair labour practices;
• safe working conditions;
• responsible sourcing;
• transparency.

Ethical Considerations in Assistance Animal Procurement

Assistance animal organisations should consider whether suppliers align with organisational values.

Considerations may include:

Animal Welfare

Products and services should support:

• safe animal handling;
• comfort;
• wellbeing;
• appropriate function.

Examples:

• equipment should fit appropriately;
• products should not create unnecessary discomfort;
• enrichment items should be safe and appropriate.

Human Rights and Labour Practices

Organisations may consider:

• fair working conditions;
• ethical manufacturing;
• responsible sourcing.

Environmental Responsibility

Organisations may consider:

• sustainable materials;
• reduced waste;
• environmental impact.

Accessibility and Inclusion

Procurement decisions should consider whether products and services support:

• handler needs;
• disability access;
• usability;
• individualisation.

A cheaper product is not always the most sustainable or appropriate choice if it creates barriers or requires frequent replacement.

Sustainable Equipment Selection

Equipment decisions are particularly important within assistance animal practice.

Examples include:

• harnesses;
• mobility equipment;
• training tools;
• enrichment equipment;
• grooming resources.

When selecting equipment, organisations should consider:

Quality and Durability

Higher-quality products may:

• last longer;
• require fewer replacements;
• reduce waste;
• improve reliability.

Suitability

Equipment should be:

• appropriate for the animal;
• safe;
• functional;
• accessible;
• fit for purpose.

Maintenance

Consider:

• cleaning requirements;
• repair options;
• replacement parts;
• ongoing care.

Lifecycle Cost

The cheapest purchase price may not represent the lowest overall cost.

Lifecycle considerations include:

• purchase price;
• maintenance;
• replacement frequency;
• disposal costs.

Sustainable Purchasing of Animal Care Products

Animal care products may include:

• food;
• supplements;
• grooming products;
• bedding;
• enrichment items;
• cleaning products.

Considerations may include:

• product quality;
• animal health requirements;
• packaging;
• supplier practices;
• environmental impacts.

Importantly:

Sustainability decisions must never compromise evidence-based animal care or veterinary requirements.

For example, selecting a product with lower environmental impact is not appropriate if it does not meet the health needs of the animal.

Sustainable Procurement Policies

Organisations may develop procurement policies that outline:

• sustainability commitments;
• supplier expectations;
• purchasing responsibilities;
• approval processes;
• lifecycle considerations;
• ethical requirements.

A sustainable procurement procedure may include:

1. Identify the need.
2. Consider whether purchase is necessary.
3. Evaluate available options.
4. Consider environmental and ethical impacts.
5. Select the most appropriate option.
6. Review outcomes.

Reducing Consumption Through Better Decision-Making

Sustainable procurement also involves questioning whether something needs to be purchased.

Strategies include:

• repairing before replacing;
• sharing resources where appropriate;
• choosing reusable options;
• avoiding unnecessary purchases;
• maintaining equipment properly;
• purchasing durable products.

Reducing consumption does not mean reducing quality.

It means making thoughtful decisions.

Supporting Sustainable Suppliers

Organisations can encourage sustainability by:

• purchasing from responsible suppliers;
• asking suppliers about environmental practices;
• considering local businesses where appropriate;
• reviewing supplier commitments;
• building long-term relationships with ethical providers.

Supplier engagement can encourage broader improvements throughout the supply chain.

Balancing Sustainability, Cost and Practical Requirements

Sustainable procurement requires balanced decision-making.

Organisations must consider:

• financial capacity;
• operational requirements;
• animal welfare;
• client needs;
• safety;
• environmental impact.

The most sustainable decision is not always the most expensive option.

Often, sustainability comes from:

• careful planning;
• reducing waste;
• choosing appropriate products;
• maintaining resources;
• avoiding unnecessary replacement.

Applying Sustainable Procurement in Assistance Animal Organisations

Examples include:

Equipment

Choosing durable, repairable equipment rather than disposable alternatives.

Cleaning

Selecting effective products while considering:

• safety;
• environmental impact;
• animal sensitivity.

Facilities

Considering:

• energy-efficient equipment;
• sustainable materials;
• lifecycle costs.

Office Operations

Considering:

• paper reduction;
• responsible technology purchasing;
• sustainable suppliers.