UGM’s sustainable procurement policy ensures that all goods and services acquired by the university support environmental, social, and economic sustainability. The university system involves selecting products that are energy-efficient, eco-friendly, ethically produced, and sourced from responsible suppliers. This policy is essential to reduce environmental impact, promote ethical labor practices, and align university operations with sustainability goals.
UGM’s procurement processes are guided by the following regulations:
Rector Regulation Number 12 of 2024: An update to Rector Regulation Number 12 of 2022, governing the university’s Procurement of Goods and Services. This regulation revises the procurement policies and procedures within UGM, focusing on sustainability, efficiency, and transparency in the procurement process.
Article 3 of Rector Regulation Number 12 of 2024, emphasizes the integration of sustainability aspects into the procurement of goods and services. It states that the procurement of goods and services (including food) must enhance the use of domestic products, utilize products from Micro, Small, and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs), and encourage the participation of the creative industry.
Meanwhile, Article 75 states that the procurement of goods and services must consider sustainability aspects. These aspects include economic considerations, such as evaluating the total production costs of goods and services throughout their lifespan. Social aspects are also prioritized, including the empowerment of small businesses, ensuring fair working conditions, promoting local community and business engagement, and upholding equality and diversity. Additionally, environmental aspects are addressed by reducing negative impacts on health, air quality, soil quality, water quality, and the use of natural resources, in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.
Rector Regulation Number 12 of 2022: Updates the previous regulation by reinforcing sustainable practices, such as minimizing harm to health, air, soil, and water quality, and ensuring the responsible use of natural resources.
Rector Regulation Number 8 of 2020: Introduced to incorporate economic, social, and environmental factors into the procurement of goods and services.
Just last year, the Vice Rector issued a Circular on Efforts to Reduce Waste in the Presentation of Food and Beverages for Consumption Orders at UGM (Circular Letter Number 6627/UN1/P4/PL.00.00/2024), stating that:
All mineral water in UGM must be procured from Toyagama products (point 2, page 1). Toyagama is a locally produced mineral water brand (owned by UGM) with an environmentally friendly production process and is certified by the Indonesian National Standard (SNI). Toyagama is provided through water fountains and water dispensers available in each faculty and campus main buildings. Students are encouraged to bring their own water bottles to campus and re-fill their bottles through these fountains and dispensers.
The regulation also demands sustainable food presentation for official campus activities, as outlined in Point 3 (pages 1 and 2) of its guidelines. The recommendations include using reusable or biodegradable food containers and prioritizing local ingredients to support local farmers and producers. Single-use plastics, such as straws, cups, and cutlery, are to be avoided in all food packaging. Buffet-style serving is preferred over individually packed meals to reduce packaging waste. Additionally, the university promotes the use of environmentally friendly catering services with established sustainable practices. Proper management of food leftovers is also emphasized, including options such as donation programs or composting initiatives. These steps must be taken to reduce waste and support environmentally friendly practices.
The university even has specific policies targeted at sustainable sourcing of food and supplies. Students, staff, and faculty are encouraged to choose products that are supplied by ethical food producers, clearly stated in Rector Regulation Number 12 Year 2022 about Procurement of Goods and Services. Article 75 states that the procurement of goods/services must take into account sustainable aspects. One of the aspects is the environmental aspect, including reducing negative impacts on health, air quality, soil quality, water quality, and using natural resources in accordance with statutory provisions. This policy reiterates Rector Regulation Number 8 Year 2020 about Procurement of Goods and Services Article 76, which mentions the integration of economic, social, and environmental aspects in the procurement of goods and services.
It also strengthens Circular Letter Number 1791/UN1.P/KJM/BU/2020 on Sustainable Lifestyle, another policy encouraging the campus community to prioritise purchasing from ethical food producers and support campus eco-friendly practices.