Business cuts carbon by buying recycled

The code encourages companies, councils and other organisations to look at their supply chains and assess how simple changes in their procurement policies can have major environmental benefits.

Organisations which had made a big difference were praised at an awards ceremony in the capital last week.

In keeping with City Hall’s strategy of linking waste issues to climate change – a subject that’s been widely embraced and understood by the public – the published statistics link the use of recycled products to reductions in CO2 emissions, as well as highlighting the redirection of waste away from landfill.

Those which have signed up to the code have saved 175,000 tonnes of C02 emissions from being released through the purchase of recycled products.

This is equivalent to the yearly emissions of a small town of 29,000 households.

The Mayor also announced that those who have signed up to the Mayor’s Code have diverted 394,453 tonnes of waste from landfill by choosing to buy recycled products in the past year. Purchases include 19,150 square metres of recycled carpet, 15,582 items of recycled furniture and 35,550 recycled printer cartridges.

Over £379 million has been spent on recycled products through the Mayor’s Code funded by the London Development Agency and delivered by London Remade, since its launch in 2001. London organisations spent £157 million this year alone.

Mr Livingstone, said: “There are increasingly fewer reasons not to purchase recycled products. Increased demand generated by environmentally responsible companies has led to a range of high quality and value for money products on the market. The awards provide an ideal opportunity to recognise the outstanding achievements of companies across London in creating a sustainable city for the future.”

Tina Perfrement from London Remade, added: “Climate change is high on the agenda for many organisations and suppliers are responding to demand for a greater range of recycled and sustainable products and practises.

“Sustainable procurement is no longer limited to recycled paper but encompasses most office based activity including furniture, computers and energy. This year Mayor’s Code signatories purchased from 244 different suppliers compared to 125 in last year’s report.”

Sam Bond