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Environmentally Preferred Purchasing
It is important not only to recycle your waste, but also to close the loop by buying products made from recycled waste. This helps to provide a market for the product and to reduce the demand on resources.
The university encourages schools, centres and administration units to purchase environmentally preferred products.
Environmental Services, in conjunction with stakeholders has developed a Green Purchasing Guide to provide information about the environmental and health effects of the most commonly purchased products, how to make more informed decisions and where the most preferable products can be sourced.
Remember if you are recycling paper but not buying recycled content paper you are only doing half the job!
Purchasing projects
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Environmental Services, in conjunction with stakeholders has developed a Green Purchasing Guide to provide information about the environmental and health effects of the most commonly purchased products, how to make more informed decisions and where the most preferable products can be sourced. | |
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University Libraries use paper with recycled content in photocopiers and printers throughout the 13 branches. | |
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Green Office representatives received a Unigreen thermal mug at the Green Office Environment Day awards presentation in June 2007 to use instead of plastic and polystyrene cups. | |
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Environmentally preferred products at the UQ Central Store |
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| » | The UQ store stocks a range of environmentally preferred products including recycled paper, refillable and reusable pens and pencils, remanufactured toner cartridges, reusable envelopes, durable mugs, plates and cutlery and eco bags. | |
| » | For the complete range of products view the catalogue online at www.pf.uq.edu.au/StoresCatalog.html | |
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The Student Union operates ECOBUG – an organic food buying group. Ph: 3377 2255 | |
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The Student union operates a second hand text book shop in the St Lucia union complex for students to buy and sell texts. | |
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Second hand clothing is available at the St Lucia Wednesday markets in Student Union complex. | |
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In 2008, Environmental Services will fund a green purchasing student project to research, identify and document opportunities for sustainable resource management. This will include researching and developing further sections of UQ’s Green Purchasing Guide and liaising with University staff in relation to the Green Purchasing Guide. | |
What you can do
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Take your durable mug to the coffee shops on campus and help to reduce the use of polystyrene and paper cups. | ||
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Buy and sell texts at the Second Hand Textbook shop located in the St Lucia Union complex. | ||
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Purchase environmentally preferred products at the UQ Central Store | ||
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Calculate the impacts of paper consumption in your office and the benefits of using less and/or recycled content paper at papercalculator.org | ||
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Tips for purchasing environmentally preferred office equipment View: Purchase Environmentally Preferred Office Equipment Poster (pdf) |
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Shopping Tips | ||
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Shop when you know exactly what you want to buy. Sales are very alluring and can lead to the purchase of non-essential items. Plan your menu for the week before going shopping. |
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| » | Consider buying clothing at second hand stores (such as the Goodwill store in South Brisbane or the second hand clothing available from the Wednesday markets in the St Lucia Union Complex), or at factory outlet/seconds stores (many in Stones Corner). | ||
| » | If you buy new clothing or shoes, try to choose timeless classic styles, that will not go out of fashion quickly. | ||
The following resources are available to promote green purchasing at UQ:
Useful Links
