Public procurement is a powerful tool in driving the sustainable transition by setting an example and creating demand for circular products and services. The Belgian federal government is committed to enhancing circularity and sustainability within its procurement processes and across the life cycle of products, in line with the Federal Plan for Sustainable Development and the Federal Action Plan for the Circular Economy. As a starting point, a study was commissioned to analyse the current level of circularity - from procurement to usage and end-of-life - and provide actionable recommendations for improvement.
Strategic challenge
The goal was twofold: first, to map the lifecycle of materials and products purchased by the federal government, understanding how these items are managed during their use phase and at their end-of-life, including internal procedures for disposal, storage, sale, or donation. Second, the project aimed to formulate policy recommendations to promote circularity within federal procurement and product use.
The scope of this project was limited to general government purchases and excluded ICT material and construction projects.
Approach
Möbius conducted a comprehensive study involving several key steps:
1. Selection of priority product groups
Thirteen priority product groups were chosen based on their environmental and social impact and potential for circularity. These included batteries, catering, electronic and electrical devices, wood and panels, office supplies, paper and printing, office furniture, vehicles, building maintenance and management, cleaning, lighting, toner cartridges, and work clothing.
2. Representative sample
A stratified random sample of federal organisations was selected to ensure representation of diverse federal administrations in the study.
3. Consultations
Data was gathered through direct consultations with administration representatives, literature reviews, interviews, and an online survey.
4. Participative workshops
Two workshops were organised to develop detailed recommendations and strategic fiches for the priority product groups, providing circular strategies for procurement.
Results
1. Mapping of current situation
The study maps how the federal government currently handles products and materials throughout their lifecycle, i.e., in the procurement phase, the use phase, and the end-of-life phase.
2. Recommendations to improve circularity
The project resulted in a series of recommendations, both transversal and specific to each phase of the product life cycle. The recommendations were categorised into four types:
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Formulate ambitions, goals and policies: It is necessary to define clear circularity goals and translate them into specific policies.
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Adapt work processes and systems: This involves optimising existing processes, such as inventory management or purchasing procedures.
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Embedding in the organisation: This is about raising employee awareness, defining clear roles and responsibilities, and promoting education about circular practices.
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Monitoring: Regular tracking of progress is essential to enable continuous improvement.
3. Strategic fiches per priority product group
Strategic fiches were created for ten priority product categories. These strategic fiches are designed to guide purchasers in integrating circularity criteria in procurement decisions by identifying which circular strategies can be favoured for each product group.
