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GERP practice activity 3

Last updated on June 19, 2025

Considering the life cycle of a good or service

In this activity, you will see a list of different goods and services. Imagine you oversee purchasing and planning procurements. For each of the following items, think about all the environmentally responsible factors you should consider throughout the entire life of the product or service. The life cycle includes design, production, distribution, use, maintenance, and disposal. List the factors you would consider for each and then check the answer key. 

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Procuring new laptops

While planning a procurement of new laptops, what factors would you consider when looking at the life cycle of these laptops (design, production, distribution, use, maintenance, and disposal)?

When you're done, compare your answers with the suggested considerations in the dropdown below.

 

Considerations - procuring new laptops

  • Consider leasing over buying 

  • Consider the repairability of the product over the life cycle 

  • Consider the end-of-life process for disposal of these assets 

  • Are refurbished assets a possibility? 

Procuring printing services

While planning a procurement for printing services, what factors would you consider when looking at the life cycle of both the services rendered, and the products used (design, production, distribution, use, maintenance, and disposal)?

When you're done, compare your answers with the suggested considerations in the dropdown below.

 

Considerations - procuring printing services

  • Consider products using recycled materials 

  • Consider products with sustainable packaging 

  • Consider re-use when disposing of the paper products 

  • Are the printing methods eco-friendly?

  • Consider the amount you need and right-size the order 

  • Consider the impact of recycled products on the land, ecosystems and trees 

Procuring catering services

While planning a procurement for catering services, what factors would you consider when looking at the life cycle of these services and the materials used (design, production, distribution, use, maintenance, and disposal)?

When you're done, compare your answers with the suggested considerations in the dropdown below.

 

Considerations - procuring catering services

  • Are plant-based options available? 

  • Can we source locally based food options? 

  • Can waste be minimized by using reusable dishes, drinkware, cutlery etc.? 

  • Can portions be appropriately sized to minimize waste? 

  • Can food waste be composted when disposed of? 

Procuring a vehicle

While planning a procurement for new vehicles, what factors would you consider when looking at the life cycle of these vehicles (design, production, distribution, use, maintenance, and disposal)?

When you're done, compare your answers with the suggested considerations in the dropdown below.

 

Considerations - procuring a vehicle

  • Consider a zero-emission vehicle as an alternative 

  • Consider leasing the vehicle instead of buying new 

  • Consider the cost of a zero-emission vehicle over its life cycle vs. a combustion vehicle 

  • If sourcing combustion-based vehicles, consider low-emission vehicles 

  • What are the maintenance requirements over the life cycle of the vehicle? 

  • What environmental consideration are taken during production of the vehicle