Environmentally preferable packaging

Environmentally preferable packaging means choosing materials and methods that reduce environmental harm throughout the product lifecycle—from manufacturing through disposal. The Supply Manual addresses packaging requirements in Chapter K.8, but it doesn't explicitly define environmental standards for packaging. That leaves procurement officers navigating green requirements through broader federal sustainability policies.

How It Works

Here's the thing: federal procurement doesn't have a single, unified standard for what makes packaging "environmentally preferable." You'll find guidance scattered across policies like the Treasury Board Policy on Green Procurement and resources from Public Services and Procurement Canada. The Supply Manual's Chapter K.8 on Packaging and Shipping focuses primarily on protection, handling, and transportation requirements—it's your baseline for ensuring goods arrive intact, but environmental considerations come from overlaying green procurement principles onto these basic standards.

In practice, this means looking for packaging that minimizes waste, uses recycled or recyclable materials, reduces toxicity, and considers the full lifecycle impact. PSPC's Green Procurement Templates point you toward recognized eco-labelling programs like Environmental Choice (Canada's certification program) and Green Seal from the US. These certifications provide third-party verification that packaging meets specific environmental criteria, which can simplify your evaluation process.

When you're drafting solicitations, you can include technical specifications requiring minimal packaging, recyclable materials, or certification under recognized programs. Some departments go further, requiring suppliers to take back packaging materials or use reusable containers. The catch is balancing environmental objectives with cost-effectiveness—the Policy on Green Procurement emphasizes incorporating environmental considerations "where feasible" and when they offer best value over the lifecycle, not at any cost.

Key Considerations

• Chapter K.8 doesn't mandate environmental packaging standards, so you need to explicitly include these requirements in your statement of work or technical specifications if they matter to your procurement

• Lifecycle thinking matters more than surface-level "green" claims—packaging that seems environmentally friendly might require more energy to produce or transport, completely negating its benefits

• Recognized eco-labels simplify evaluation, but verify they're relevant to Canadian standards and that your suppliers can actually access certified materials without unreasonable cost increases

• Different departments have varying thresholds for when green packaging becomes mandatory versus encouraged, so check with your departmental green procurement coordinator

Related Terms

Green Procurement, Lifecycle Costing, Environmental Considerations, Supply Arrangement

Sources

• Government of Canada Supply Manual - Chapter K.8: Packaging and Shipping

• CanadaBuys - Supply Manual: Official Federal Procurement Policy

• PSPC Guide to Completion of the Green Procurement Templates

If environmental packaging standards matter to your procurement, don't assume suppliers will provide them automatically. Build specific requirements into your solicitation documents and reference recognized standards or certifications to make evaluation objective and defensible.