Minimisation Policies Extended to Suppliers

The University of Newcastle extends its waste and disposable-item minimisation commitments to the suppliers of goods and materials it purchases, including equipment, stationery and building products. The University’s Environmental Sustainability Policy links the reduction of disposable items with its choice of sustainability-aligned suppliers, while the Procurement Policy applies environmental and product-stewardship considerations to procurement across the institution.

Reducing waste through supplier selection

Environmental Sustainability Policy

The Environmental Sustainability Policy, effective from 8 December 2022 and in place throughout 2025, made waste prevention and sustainable purchasing connected University commitments. Under clause 12 (Waste and Recycling), the University committed to minimising plastic and disposable items across campuses and establishing preferred suppliers aligned with its sustainability goals. Clause 8 also required consideration of potential suppliers’ sustainability practices when implementing the Procurement Policy.

These provisions extend the University’s approach beyond managing waste after use: decisions about which products to purchase and which suppliers to engage can support the avoidance of unnecessary single-use materials and more responsible management of resources.

Procurement standards for goods and materials

The University’s Procurement Policy, effective from 15 September 2023 and in place during 2025, applies to all goods and services purchased for the University and its controlled entities, regardless of funding source or procurement method. It expressly covers capital works and research equipment, alongside routine purchases such as office supplies and furniture.

Section 7 incorporates environmental considerations into supplier evaluation. Clause 15 requires attention to relevant non-cost factors, including a supplier’s approach to environmental sustainability and the total cost of ownership, which includes disposal and remediation. Under clause 16, and where practical and consistent with the other procurement principles, the University gives preference to:

• products containing materials produced and distributed in a sustainable and ethical manner (clause 16(a));
• suppliers that minimise energy consumption and adverse environmental impacts (clause 16(d));
• suppliers with end-of-life product stewardship programmes (clause 16(e));
• suppliers with a strong overall record of environmental and social sustainability (clause 16(j)).

The same criteria apply when the University evaluates suppliers of equipment, stationery, furniture and building materials. They connect responsible sourcing with reducing environmental impacts throughout a product’s life, including its eventual recovery or disposal. The policy describes supplier preferences and assessment requirements, rather than a universal requirement that every supplier operate a specific take-back scheme.

Supplier responsibilities and purchasing arrangements

The Procurement Policy assigns contract owners responsibility for monitoring supplier performance and continued compliance with the Key Procurement Principles. The University’s 2023 Purchase Order Terms and Conditions further require suppliers to comply with its Supplier Code of Conduct and work with the University to meet the Code’s obligations. These arrangements support ongoing supplier accountability alongside environmentally informed product selection.

Practical resource minimisation

From June to December 2025, the University prioritised reuse and circular practices, extending the life of 279 furniture items and diverting more than 6.6 tonnes of material from landfill. This avoided replacement purchasing and contributed to an estimated 171.73 tonnes of CO₂-e emissions avoided. The initiative demonstrates how purchasing decisions can reduce demand for new goods and the waste associated with replacement, complementing the University’s supplier selection commitments. Read the 2025 Annual Report.