Internet Assisted Environmental Purchasing

Abstract

Abstract The use of environmental purchasing as corporate and political instruments to further improve the environmental performance of products is becoming increasingly widespread. Information technology and more specifically the Internet, offers a range of new opportunities to make environmental purchasing operational for both small and large, public and private operations. The benefits of internet-assisted environmental purchasing systems include global system access, no paper handling, ease of operation for procurement staff and a uniform and transparent treatment of suppliers. Tele Danmark Communication (TDC) is Denmark's largest provider of telecommunication services and also operates a chain of stores across Denmark selling telephones and other telecommunication products. Co-funded by the Danish EPA and in collaboration with RAMBOLL Consultants and the Institute for Product Development at the Technical University of Denmark, TDC has developed a prototype internet-assisted environmental purchasing system that covers a wide product assortment of telephones and fax machines. This case exemplifies the particular benefits of Internet systems for environmental purchasing. One role of environmental purchasing is to increase the availability of environmentally friendly products to the end consumer, be it companies, public institutions or private consumers. If published, the information that facilitates environmental purchasing may further assist the end consumer in his or her choice of products. Linking environmental purchasing systems with environmental product declarations may form a powerful marketing tool.