Sustainable Purchasing
ASU Supply Chain Management and University Sustainability Practices provide sustainable purchasing resources to assist employees in purchasing sustainably and supporting the university’s sustainability goals.
Administrators, office managers, P-Card holders and other employees who make departmental purchases can use the following resources to learn more about sustainable purchasing:
- Sustainable promotional materials purchasing toolkit.
- Sustainable purchasing guidelines.
- UBS Sustainable Purchasing Training.
Refer to the sustainable office supplies and catering webpages to learn about standard office, departmental and event purchasing.
Email USP with questions or for more information.
Reusable K-Cup® transition initiative
Supply Chain Management employees began transitioning office break areas and kitchenettes to reusable K-Cups instead of single-use K-Cups at the University Services Building on the ASU Tempe campus in spring 2024. Reusable K-Cups are a sustainable alternative that reduces operating expenses and waste sent to ASU’s landfill.
From July through December 2023, USB staff used 4,660 K-Cups®, with the ASU Zero Waste department spending $1,289 to recycle them via the Blue Bag Program. Reusable K-Cups and fresh coffee beans cost approximately $0.36 per serving compared to $1.40 per serving with single-use K-Cups, even with increased consumption of coffee since the transition.
View the Reusable K-Cup Transition Quick Guide or email USP for details on transitioning your break areas and kitchenettes to reusable K-Cups.