Sustainable consumption
We’re committed to reducing emissions from the goods and services we buy. So, we changed how we award contracts. We now give a 10% weighting to climate change and the environment. We’re also removing avoidable single-use plastics (SUPs) from our buildings and services.
We're creating a new climate change action plan for 2025 to 2030. It will set out how we can move towards a circular economy. Both as an organisation and as a city. Using fewer single-use items, reusing things more and using more recycled materials.
Key aims of engagement and policy change
We’re making tools for our teams and helping them to access support. And we’re helping organisations that work with us to find more sustainable ways of doing things.
Key achievements from 2020 to 2024
- We acted on the findings of the Tyndall Centre for Climate Change Research. Their research into the city's emissions led us to change how we award contracts. We now give a 10% weighting to climate change and the environment. This increased the total social value weighting to 30%.
- We hired more staff to track the award of contracts and potential CO₂ emissions. They challenge specifications and ensure suppliers consider low-carbon options.
- We updated our toolkit for suppliers and staff buying goods and services. It helps suppliers to find ways to reduce their emissions. And to address sustainability when bidding for contracts.
- Manchester became a Refill Destination. The Refill app lists places across the city where you can refill a water bottle for free. There were 371 Refill points across the city at the end of 2023/24. Up from 290.
- We promised to stop using avoidable single-use plastics. And to help people in the city to change their habits. We created an action plan and new policy. We've worked with teams across the Council to review and share best practice. Now, our teams have the tools and knowledge they need and we’ve made great progress. It's our standard approach not to use avoidable single-use plastics. Some plastics are harder to swap. For example, protective gloves are vital in our health care work. So, we’re working with our health care providers to find safe ways reduce their use. Our new climate change action plan for 2025 to 2030 will ensure this work continues.