Policy for Ethical and Sustainable Procurement of Food and Supplies

Policy for Ethical and Sustainable Procurement of Food and Supplies

Sakarya University implements an Ethical and Sustainable Procurement Policy to ensure that all food and supply purchasing is conducted transparently, responsibly, and in line with sustainability principles. The policy is administered by the Zero Waste Coordinatorship and aligned with Türkiye’s Zero Waste Regulation, the Green Deal Action Plan (2023–2030), and the National Circular Economy Strategy.
Environmental and ethical criteria are integrated across the full procurement cycle from supplier selection and contracting to end-of-life management centred on fair labour, resource efficiency, and traceability. Processes are monitored via national platforms, including MOTAT (Integrated Environmental Information System) and the Zero Waste Platform of the Ministry of Environment, Urbanization and Climate Change.

Legal Basis and National Alignment

University policies governing all waste streams, including hazardous waste, fully comply with the national Zero Waste Policy. Core requirements waste prevention, source separation, and safe management are implemented under a circular-economy approach. Licensed treatment, digital tracking through MOTAT, and certified temporary storage mirror the operational provisions of the Zero Waste Regulation. This alignment ensures regulatory compliance and contributes to Türkiye’s Green Development and Circular Economy Vision 2053.

Core Principles

1. Environmental sustainability: Preference for local, seasonal, and where possible organic producers to reduce transport-related emissions and support the local economy.
2. Social responsibility: Supplier adherence to fair labour, occupational safety, and equality standards, verified through documentation and audits.
3. Circular resource management: Product and packaging selection prioritising reusability, recyclability, and biodegradability to minimise waste generation.
4. Transparency and accountability: Sustainability clauses embedded in contracts; suppliers required to evidence compliance with environmental and labour standards.

Sustainable Food Sourcing and Campus Practices

Through the Sustainable Dining and Zero Waste Programme, ethical sourcing is embedded in daily operations:

• Elimination of single-use items: Meals are served on porcelain plates with metal cutlery.
• Local and organic procurement: Supplier selection considers proximity, seasonality, and sustainability performance in line with national green procurement standards.
• Reusable systems: Free water dispensers and refill stations reduce bottled-water use; discounts encourage thermos and reusable mug adoption.
• Sustainable packaging: Suppliers use recyclable/biodegradable materials; concentrated cleaning products are preferred to reduce plastic containers.
• Ethical contracting: Catering and supply contracts include zero-waste and environmental obligations, verified through periodic reviews.

Supply Chain and Procurement Mechanisms

• Green procurement: Priority for environmentally preferable materials, energy-efficient devices (A+/A++/A+++), eco-labelled goods, and recycled-content products; the purchase of inefficient equipment is restricted by procedure.
• Contractual waste reduction: Supplier agreements include packaging minimisation, source segregation, and participation in campus recycling programmes.
• Sustainable materials: University-branded items (bags, notebooks, event kits) are produced from recycled or organic fibres.
• Supplier engagement: Vendors are informed of university sustainability standards and must document compliance with national environmental and OHS regulations.

Circular Economy and Waste Management Integration

Ethical sourcing covers the full material life cycle and is supported by the campus-wide Zero Waste Management System:

• Segregation and reuse: Three-stream separation (paper; plastic/metal; organic) is implemented across campus.
• Circular recovery: Organic waste is directed to the municipal facility SEKAY for biogas and compost; other recyclables are processed by licensed firms.
• Safe handling: Electronic, medical, and laboratory wastes are managed under formal protocols with licensed facilities (e.g., İZAYDAŞ, ERA Environmental Technologies).
• Continuous improvement: Annual reviews identify reduction opportunities and material substitutions (e.g., PVC to glass; virgin fibre to recycled fibre).

Education, Research, and Community Engagement

• Awareness and training: The Department of Environmental Engineering and the Zero Waste Coordinatorship deliver seminars, workshops, and student competitions on sustainable consumption, circular economy, and ethical procurement.
• Research and innovation: TÜBİTAK-supported projects advance biodegradable materials, sustainable packaging, and waste-to-resource solutions.
• Student leadership: Clubs such as the Nature and Animal Rights Society lead campaigns on recycling, plastic reduction, and ethical resource use.

Monitoring, Audit, and Compliance

• Digital tracking: MOTAT provides end-to-end traceability of hazardous and recyclable streams.
• Resource and carbon monitoring: The SAUCO₂ Sustainable Carbon Tracking System supports tracking of energy and resource use associated with procurement.
• Certification and audits: The University holds a Zero Waste Certificate; suppliers are regularly audited for compliance with environmental and social criteria.
• Transparency: Commitments and outcomes are disclosed via the University’s Sustainability Portal.

 

Ethical Sourcing

Sakarya University has developed a comprehensive ethical sourcing policy to ensure that the food and other products it procures are obtained responsibly and sustainably. This policy aims to promote ethical behavior in resource usage, considering environmental and social sustainability principles. Ethical sourcing not only covers the procurement process but also ensures the safety and fair treatment of employees involved in the supply chain. The university prioritizes local and organic producers in its procurement of food and other materials, thereby enhancing environmental sustainability and supporting the local economy. It ensures that the products procured are produced using environmentally friendly methods and adhere to ethical standards. The university encourages its suppliers to adopt organic and sustainable agricultural practices. Suppliers are also required to respect human rights in their business processes and ensure the safety of their employees.

Employee safety and fair treatment are fundamental aspects of this policy. Suppliers are expected to pay fair wages and provide safe working conditions for their employees. Sakarya University regularly audits the practices of its suppliers and takes necessary precautions to protect employee rights, aiming for social sustainability and safeguarding the rights of workers. Considering the environmental and social impacts of the sourcing process is also of great importance. In this context, the university organizes various training and awareness programs to increase environmental awareness, including waste management and recycling practices. It ensures that the packaging of procured products is recyclable and sets up the necessary systems for proper waste separation. Additionally, the use of eco-friendly products is encouraged, aiming to reduce plastic waste.

Strategic Alignment and Continuous Improvement

The framework is aligned with Türkiye’s Green Public Procurement Strategy (2024–2030) and the EU Circular Economy Package. Long-term objectives include:

• Complete elimination of single-use plastics in food and supply chains by 2030;
• Expansion of partnerships with local and organic suppliers;
• Increased share of recyclable and compostable materials across all purchases;
• Systematic exploration of the applicability of Life Cycle Assessment (LCA) in high-impact procurement categories (e.g., energy-efficient equipment and construction materials).

Through this integrated governance system, ethical sourcing functions not merely as a purchasing guideline but as a university-wide approach that connects procurement, resource use, material recovery, and education under a unified sustainability vision.

 

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