The government is going green...

All government departments will from next year start buying paper, IT supplies, textiles and gardening products that are more environment-friendly.

Finance Minister Tonio Fenech and Environment Parliamentary Secretary Mario De Marco yesterday launched a detailed strategy which will see green procurements growing at a staggered rate over the next three years. The government hopes this will entice businesses to start importing and offering greener products since they know the market for such products will be given a boost by the country’s biggest consumer.

“This way we are using the economy to help the environment,” Dr de Marco said, pointing out that this was a theme raised in the National Environment Policy.

According to the stipulated targets, all copying and graphic paper, gardening products and services, textiles and office IT equipment will be procured in line with strict environmental criteria as from next year. There are 18 product groups identified for greening over the next three years, each with internationally recognised criteria that must be specified in the tendering process.

Mr Fenech said the Budget had considered this plan but was not anticipating a big spike in costs. Although some environment-friendly products tend to be more expensive than their counterparts, Mr Fenech said this was usually due to economies of scale. Since the government was giving businesses notice of its intentions, it expected competition to keep costs under control.

More information can be found on www.gpp.gov.mt and inquiries can be sent to gpp@gov.mt.