Greening government operations

As a large purchaser of goods and services and owner of a considerable real property portfolio, we recognize the environmental impact of government activities. Learn how the Office of Greening government operations supports the government in its efforts to shrink its environmental footprint.

Office of Greening government operations

The Office of Greening government operations (OGGO) is an organization of Public Services and Procurement Canada. It works with federal government institutions to reduce the footprint of government operations. How? By providing them with advice and guidance, and by compiling and reporting results.

Supporting sustainable development

The Federal Sustainable Development Strategy provides Canadians with a whole-of-government view of environmental priorities. Each federal institution is responsible for minimizing its own environmental footprint.

"Theme IV. Shrinking the Environmental Footprint – Beginning with Government" of the strategy outlines goals to:

• reduce the carbon footprint and energy consumption of federal operations
• reduce waste generated and minimize the environmental impacts of assets through their life cycle
• improve water management in federal operations

The Office of Greening government operations supports federal institutions on Theme IV. As part of its support role, OGGO:

• consults with them during the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy development process on:
  • greening government operations targets
  • implementation strategies
  • performance measures
• provides greening government operations-related guidance to support target implementation and reporting
• compiles and reports government-wide performance results on greening government operations

Further reading

• Federal Sustainable Development Strategy, 2013–2016
• Theme IV. Shrinking the Environmental Footprint – Beginning with Government
• Departmental sustainable development strategies—learn how each federal institution reports on its sustainable development strategies

Green procurement

We strive to buy environmentally preferable goods and services. These are goods and services that have a reduced impact on the health of Canadians and on the environment. It is not just the ticket price of an item or whether a service is readily available that is most important. We consider the environmental performance over its entire life cycle when deciding whether or not to buy a particular good or service.

In 2006, we introduced the Policy on Green Procurement. This policy integrates environmental performance considerations into procurement activities—from planning and buying, to use and maintenance to disposal.

The Office of Greening government operations supports federal institutions in implementing the policy. Green procurement is integrated in Theme IV of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy.

Further reading

• Policy on Green Procurement

Electronic waste

Electronic waste is surplus electronic and electrical equipment that cannot be reused within a federal institution. It may include assets such as computers and computer components, telecommunications equipment, household appliances, tools and scientific equipment.

In 2010, we launched the federal electronic waste strategy to ensure that the electronic waste resulting from government operations is disposed of properly. The strategy emphasizes reuse first, followed by environmentally sound and secure recycling.

The Office of Greening government operations supports federal institutions in implementing the strategy. Electronic waste management is integrated in Theme IV of the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy.

Reuse

In order of preference, reuse options are:

• Computers for Schools—qualifying equipment is refurbished for reuse
• GCSurplus—equipment in working condition can be sold for reuse
• Free-of-charge transfer to other federal organizations or donation to other recognized charitable or not-for-profit organizations

Environmentally sound and secure recycling

By recycling electronic waste in keeping with the principle of environmentally sound management, we help to:

• protect the environment and human health
• promote economic benefit through resource recovery

In order of preference, recycling options are:

• Provincial electronic waste recycling programs—qualifying equipment can be sent for recycling if it cannot be reused
• Standing offer for electronic waste recycling services—electronic waste that cannot be reused and does not qualify for provincial programs can be recycled via the National Master Standing Offer

Further reading

• Electronic Products Recycling Association—learn about this industry-led, not-for-profit organization that operates regulated recycling programs across Canada