Purchasing products from an environmental consideration has always been popular in schools, but does ISB promote green purchasing as well? Many schools provide eco-friendly products and services because it is important to promote environmentalism to students, but what could be the intention that ISB sells them as well?
The facility at ISB is very much focused on environmental impact, especially with construction projects environmentally friendly solutions are sought such as energy-saving air-conditioning, water-saving toilets, etc. For example, the Cultural Center was constructed according to LEED Gold standards and was the first school in Asia to achieve a LEED Gold certificate. This was a deliberate effort from the design phase of the building.
ISB also recently build a water machine at the cafeteria that has a tracker on it that displays the number of water bottles that were saved by refilling out water bottles. This implementation is important for students as it allows them to visually see ISB’s environmental efforts and understand that they are contributing to a good cause. Around the ISB campus, there are water refill stations, and students are encouraged to bring their water bottles to refill. The school also provides blue plastic drinking cups instead of paper cups for students who do not have water bottles.
Last year, ISB established an Environmental Advisory Board whose task is to create a long-term sustainable vision for the school. Providing goods and services that are eco-friendly was part of that vision. Marc De Vries, the head of product purchasing, said that “the Book Store, Booster Hut, and Food outlets sell eco-friendly products; for example, the Booster Hut sells items made from recycled uniforms and standard textiles.” Mr. De Vries also says that ISB is currently looking to design new school uniforms with materials that minimize environmental damage. The school uniforms at ISB are already sustainable because there is also an opportunity for parents and ISB staff to purchase uniforms at the Lost & Found at a lower price, instead of throwing them away.
Despite the gradual efforts being taken at ISB, some of the products that ISB purchases on a daily basis are not the most sustainable option. This is due to several factors such as cost and efficiency. For example, Epicure sells food with organic ingredients, but not all its ingredients are organic. Mr. De Vries says it is because “sometimes eco-friendly products are not available, or they are too expensive.” The school has a budget for its purchases, so it is difficult to make purchasing decisions that are both environmentally friendly and affordable. However, ISB is exploring other sustainable solutions that they can compensate for the areas that are not environmentally friendly. For example, although the cafeteria may not offer organic ingredients in all of its food, they are banning single-use plastic and offering smaller portions of food servings through cooperation with contractors like Epicure.
Even though ISB may not be purchasing all of its products through an environmental lens, they are still trying its hardest to include eco-friendly products inside its facility. ISB hope to further expand, being able to acquire and prioritize more environmentally friendly materials on their campus.