The survey included 188 procurement professionals mainly in the United States, Europe and Asia. The two most heavily represented sectors in the survey were the transportation/logistics fields and the high-tech industry. The retail and apparel sectors were minimally represented. The vast majority of products that companies are sourcing sustainably are packaging materials and raw materials used in manufacturing. Two-thirds of the professionals in the survey said that they are practicing green procurement to support their companies' environmental or sustainability strategies, while 49 percent also said they're responding to customers' interest in eco-friendly products and services.   

Although companies are increasingly aware of the benefits and importance of green procurement, most of them are only acquiring a small portion of their materials in that way. Only 13 percent of respondents are sourcing half or more of their products and services sustainably, while 55 percent said they source less than 10 percent of green goods. Ninety-eight percent of the companies responding to the survey said that green purchasing will continue to expand, and the report notes that customers from all sectors and all countries are increasingly demanding eco-friendly products and services.

Source: GreenBiz.com