HSJ Value Awards 2018: Improving Value Through Innovative Financial Management or Procurement

Winner

Public Health Wales: Reuse and refurbishment of furniture through circular economy procurement

Public Health Wales was previously split between many buildings with varying amounts of space and facilities, which did not meet the needs of the organisation. The decision was taken to move to one large open-plan office in Cardiff.

Procurement for this fitting out followed the principles of the Our Space Programme, so the new space was fit for purpose, environmentally sustainable, and financially viable. This involved seeking suppliers that minimised packaging, reused existing furniture as much as possible, specifying chemicals using in coating and ensuring suppliers taking opportunities to train workers who belong to disadvantaged worker groups.

These criteria ensured environmental sustainability and positive community outcomes. Of the furniture in the new space, 94 per cent was either reused or remanufactured, resulting in 41 tonnes of waste diverted from landfill.

The project also saved 134 tonnes of CO2 emissions. Public Health Wales is now working with the Welsh government to embed this procurement approach in other areas of the public sector. The approach has also been replicated with two other office relocation projects in Wales.

Read a detailed case study about this project at HSJ Solutions