Minister Smyth announces new Recycled Paper Framework for Public Sector

The Office of Government Procurement (OGP) has launched a new framework arrangement for recycled office paper, which is worth an estimated €6 million per annum. Office paper has been available through OGP central procurement arrangements for many years, however until now both new and recycled office paper was available. The new contract only offers paper manufactured from 100% recycled fibres. The paper is available in a variety of sizes and brightness levels.

Minister of State with responsibility for public procurement and circular economy Ossian Smyth, welcomed the arrangement saying:

“I am delighted to welcome this new arrangement which is available to all public sector bodies. This arrangement will ensure that, where paper must be procured, recycled paper is the default for public sector bodies leading to significant environmental benefits, as well as value for money”.

The new arrangement supports the circular economy objectives set out in both the Climate Action Plan and the Green Public Procurement Strategy and Action Plan 2024-2027 . The contract has been signed with Antalis following a competitive procurement process and delivers value for money along with significant environmental benefits.

The OGP has a number of frameworks available for a variety of common goods and services. Public sector bodies can draw down from these frameworks to avoid having to run a full procurement process saving time and resources. Procurement framework agreements allow public bodies to purchase common goods and services easily and in compliance with procurement guidelines.

As well as ensuring compliance with relevant procurement legislation, the OGP works to embed sustainable public procurement practices into all of its frameworks ensuring social, environmental and economic concerns are addressed by firms competing for government contracts. Criteria such as waste minimisation, responsible employment practices and other sustainability measures are built into all of the OGP’s central procurement arrangements supporting the delivery of better public services.

Notes:

The Office of Government Procurement (OGP) is a division of the Department of Public Expenditure, NDP Delivery and Reform and plays a central role in helping the State to achieve value for money when buying common goods and services on behalf of the public sector.
The new procurement arrangement supports targets in the public service climate action mandate namely action 3.7.1: “Review any paper-based processes and evaluate the possibilities for digitisation so it becomes the default approach. Eliminate paper-based processes as far as is practicable. Where paper must be procured, ensure that recycled paper is the default
All of the recycled paper sourced (A4 & A3 80GSM) under this contract represent a cost reduction when compared to virgin pulp paper sourced under the previous contract.
Recycled paper has clear demonstrable environmental benefits when compared with paper produced from virgin pulp such as:

o No additional pulp produced from trees

o Up to 72% less energy

o Up to 79% less water

o Up to 42% less CO2

In 2023, the public sector used 577 million sheets of A4 paper which equates to 230,800 boxes. By switching to recycled paper it is estimated that the following saving will be made:
8.6 million kg of virgin wood or approx. (6,000 spruce trees, 1,500kgs per tree).
125 million litres of water. (1,000 homes average consumption p.a.).
22.2GWh energy (equivalent to 4,054 homes annual energy consumption).
c.1,800 tonnes of CO2