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Choosing Sustainable Suppliers

Select suppliers and partners who share your sustainability values

Hayden Zammit Meaney avatar
Written by Hayden Zammit Meaney
Updated today

Choosing Sustainable Suppliers

Your suppliers are part of your sustainability story. Choosing partners who share your values extends your positive impact beyond your own operations and strengthens your overall sustainability credentials.

Why supplier sustainability matters

Your supply chain has significant impact:

  • Extended footprint — your suppliers' emissions are part of your footprint

  • Shared values — working with aligned partners reinforces your commitment

  • Risk management — sustainable suppliers are often more reliable

  • Customer expectations — visitors care about your whole supply chain

  • Industry influence — your choices help shift the market

Types of suppliers to consider

Think about sustainability across all your suppliers:

Products and materials

  • Food and beverage suppliers

  • Cleaning products and chemicals

  • Office supplies and stationery

  • Merchandise and retail goods

  • Equipment and tools

Services

  • Waste management and recycling

  • Printing and marketing

  • Accounting and professional services

  • Cleaning and maintenance

  • Transport and logistics

Utilities

  • Electricity providers (renewable options)

  • Gas suppliers

  • Water services

  • Internet and telecommunications

Partners

  • Tour operators you work with

  • Accommodation providers

  • Attractions and venues

  • Transport companies

  • Local businesses

What to look for in sustainable suppliers

Environmental credentials

  • Certifications (ISO 14001, eco-labels)

  • Renewable energy use

  • Waste reduction practices

  • Sustainable packaging

  • Carbon reduction commitments

Social responsibility

  • Fair wages and conditions

  • Local employment

  • Community engagement

  • Diversity and inclusion

  • Ethical business practices

Product characteristics

  • Locally sourced materials

  • Organic or natural ingredients

  • Minimal or recyclable packaging

  • Durability and repairability

  • End-of-life options (recycling, composting)

Transparency

  • Clear information about practices

  • Published sustainability reports

  • Traceable supply chains

  • Honest about challenges

  • Willing to share information

Assessing your current suppliers

Review your existing supply chain:

Step 1: List your suppliers

  • Identify all suppliers you use

  • Group them by category

  • Note annual spending with each

  • Identify your most significant suppliers

Step 2: Evaluate each supplier

For significant suppliers, assess:

  • Do they have sustainability certifications?

  • What environmental claims do they make?

  • How do they treat their workers?

  • Where are their products from?

  • What's their packaging like?

Step 3: Identify gaps

Look for areas where you could improve:

  • Suppliers with poor practices

  • Categories with no sustainable options

  • High-impact areas (food, energy, waste)

  • Quick wins and easy switches

Step 4: Prioritise changes

Focus your effort where it matters:

  • Highest spending categories

  • Highest environmental impact

  • Areas where alternatives exist

  • Changes that align with your values

Finding sustainable alternatives

Where to look

  • Certification directories — lists of certified suppliers

  • Industry associations — recommendations from tourism bodies

  • Local business networks — sustainable business groups

  • Online marketplaces — platforms featuring sustainable products

  • Peer recommendations — ask other tourism operators

Questions to ask potential suppliers

When evaluating new suppliers:

  • What sustainability certifications do you hold?

  • Can you provide information about your environmental practices?

  • Where are your products sourced from?

  • What packaging options are available?

  • How do you treat your employees?

  • What are your carbon reduction plans?

  • Can you provide sustainability data for reporting?

Trial and evaluate

Before fully switching:

  • Request samples or trial quantities

  • Test quality and reliability

  • Compare total cost (not just price)

  • Get feedback from staff

  • Assess ease of doing business

Making the switch

Transitioning suppliers

  • Plan ahead — allow time for the transition

  • Communicate — tell existing suppliers you're making changes

  • Phase changes — switch gradually rather than all at once

  • Monitor quality — ensure new suppliers meet your standards

  • Document savings — track cost and environmental benefits

Working with existing suppliers

Sometimes you can improve existing relationships:

  • Ask current suppliers about sustainable options

  • Request reduced or recyclable packaging

  • Enquire about local sourcing

  • Ask for sustainability information

  • Encourage improvement over time

Building sustainable supplier relationships

Long-term partnerships

Sustainable sourcing works best with:

  • Clear expectations from the start

  • Regular communication

  • Shared commitment to improvement

  • Fair and timely payment

  • Loyalty and consistency

Supplier collaboration

Work together to improve:

  • Share your sustainability goals

  • Ask for ideas and suggestions

  • Collaborate on solutions

  • Recognise supplier achievements

  • Build a community of practice

Local and Indigenous suppliers

Prioritise local and Indigenous businesses:

Benefits of local sourcing

  • Reduced transport emissions

  • Support for local economy

  • Fresher products (for food)

  • Stronger community connections

  • Better responsiveness

Supporting Indigenous suppliers

  • Seek out Indigenous-owned businesses

  • Support Indigenous art and crafts

  • Source bush foods and native ingredients

  • Partner with Indigenous tourism operators

  • Ensure fair and respectful relationships

Recording your sustainable procurement

Track your supplier choices in Launchpad:

  • Go to Tourism for Good

  • Navigate to Actions

  • Create a sustainable procurement action

  • List the suppliers you've switched to

  • Document the impact of your changes

Evidence to collect

  • Supplier sustainability certificates

  • Product certifications and labels

  • Before and after comparisons

  • Cost and impact data

  • Photos of sustainable products in use

Creating a sustainable purchasing policy

Formalise your commitment:

Include in your policy

  • Preference for sustainable suppliers

  • Minimum sustainability criteria

  • Local and Indigenous sourcing priorities

  • Packaging requirements

  • Regular supplier reviews

Implement your policy

  • Train staff on procurement decisions

  • Create approved supplier lists

  • Include sustainability in purchase orders

  • Review compliance regularly

  • Update as practices improve

Every sustainable supplier you choose sends a message that sustainability matters in our industry.

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