6 May 2010 | Lindsay Clark

United Utilities’ purchasing department has endorsed the firm’s sustainable procurement strategy, which has been introduced over the past two years.

A survey of the firm’s supply department showed 90 per cent thought the company was socially responsible, 97 per cent thought the company is environmentally responsible and 90 per cent knew what action they can take to be environmentally responsible.

United Utilities sustainability policy included a work-stream to ensure that people understood their responsibilities and were well equipped to deliver them.

All of the survey scores from the supply department were below 50 per cent when United Utilities first devised its sustainable supply chain strategy about two years ago.

The firm’s sustainability policy was devised with the help of not-for-profit consultancy Action Sustainability.