Helping the University budget and the environment

[img_inline align=”right” src=”http://padnws01.mcmaster.ca/images/office-supplies.jpg” caption=”New agreements for how McMaster buys office supplies and paper will save the University significant money and contribute to a more sustainable environment. Photo by JD Howell. “]New agreements for how McMaster buys office supplies and paper will save the University significant money and contribute to a more sustainable environment.

The University underwent an extensive and unique Request for Proposal process that selected two vendors: Grand & Toy for office supplies and toner, and Buntin Reid for paper.

Under the terms of the agreement, the University will receive substantial cost savings that are estimated to total $2.3 million over the contracts' five-year terms.

“These agreements will have long lasting impacts on the University and our environment,” said Roger Couldrey, vice-president Administration (interim). “We will save money, significantly reduce packaging and waste, and cut greenhouse emissions.”

Reduced pricing for office supplies has been in effect since Nov. 1. Price reductions for paper supplies take effect Dec. 1.

There will be some changes in the way supplies are ordered and shipped to campus. Grand & Toy will begin shipping office supplies in reusable, environmentally-friendly totes and bags that will replace the 10,000 cardboard boxes the company used for campus shipments last year. That cardboard accounted for nearly 18 per cent of paper in the University's waste stream.

Both companies will also reduce the number of deliveries to campus. This will mean a reduction of more than two tons of greenhouse gas entering the environment. Deliveries will now be twice a week with a goal of reducing to one weekly delivery.

A series of information sessions are scheduled for employees who order supplies. More information and a schedule of these sessions is available here.

The Request for Proposal process was initiated by McMaster's Purchasing Resources in conjunction with a team of campus managers who were enrolled in the CALM program (Certificate for Advanced Leadership Management). The group was assigned the task of finding ways to reduce waste on campus.