OECM’s 2024 SRP: Advancing ESG in Procurement & Driving Impact

June 26, 2025

Sustainable procurement is more than just a trend – it’s a responsibility. That’s why OECM embedded Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) principles into the 2024 Supplier Recognition Program (SRP) evaluation methodology, ensuring that responsible business practices are a key factor in recognizing the contributions of our Supplier Partners.

Through impactful initiatives in social procurement, climate action, circular economy, community relations, and ESG governance and data security, OECM’s Supplier Partners are helping to drive meaningful progress toward sustainability and ethical supply chain practices. OECM is proud of this collective effort and excited to share the measurable impact generated through the 2024 SRP — a testament to what’s possible when we work together for a more sustainable future.

2024 ESG Achievements & Impact

OECM received submissions from over 60+ suppliers for the SRP 2024 program on ESG. The statistics below are aggregated and reflect only the responses of suppliers who participated in the program. They are not representative of the entire OECM supplier partner community.

Social Procurement: Driving Inclusive Growth

1,500+ partnerships and collaborations with local, Indigenous-owned, and diverse businesses; $325K+ in sales sourced from diverse businesses and $400K+ from women-owned businesses; $3B+ spent with diverse suppliers, including $1B annually with minority- and women-owned businesses

Why This Matters: Social procurement strengthens communities, creates economic opportunities, and promotes equity in supply chains.

Climate Action: Reducing Emissions & Advancing Clean Energy:

63% reduction in Scope 1 & 2 emissions through renewable energy and energy-efficient operations (equivalent to removing over 130,000 metric tonnes of CO₂ emissions); 21% reduction in Scope 3 emissions by improving supplier efficiency and renewable sourcing (over 5M metric tonnes of CO₂ saved); 100% renewable hydro electricity used in key warehouse operations; Solar power investments cutting CO₂ emissions by 1,800+ tonnes annually; 12% of corporate fleets now electric or hybrid; Over $12M raised for tree planting initiatives, resulting in over 2 million trees planted

Why This Matters: Supplier Partners are transitioning to low-carbon solutions, meeting climate targets and reducing environmental impact.

Circular Economy: Waste Reduction & Recycling:

94% of non-hazardous waste diverted from landfills; 92%+ waste diversion rate in distribution centers through material recycling; 80% reduction in paper waste (from 1,000 lbs to ~450 lbs annually); 13,500+ metric tonnes of electronics recycled; 8.5M+ toner & ink units recycled with a 99% recovery rate; 750,000+ kg of batteries & cellphones recycled

Why This Matters: A circular economy minimizes waste, conserves resources, and extends product lifecycles, reducing environmental harm.

Community Relations: Investing in Social Impact:

$675K+ in donations supporting education, human rights, and community initiatives; 24,000+ hours volunteered by Supplier Partner employees; $140K+ awarded in scholarships for students from diverse and underrepresented backgrounds; Over $435M contributed to education through cash, technology, and services

Why This Matters: Supplier Partners are actively investing in social well-being, education, and community resilience.

ESG Governance & Data Security:

80%+ of Supplier Partners demonstrated policies on diversity, equity, and inclusion, cybersecurity, and ESG reporting; Commitment to data protection, multi-factor authentication, and privacy best practices

Why This Matters: Secure, transparent, and ethical governance ensures accountability and long-term sustainability in supply chains.


Building on Success: What’s New in the 2025 SRP

Building on the success of 2024, OECM is further strengthening its commitment to responsible and sustainable procurement by expanding the Strategic Alignment criterion in the 2025 Supplier Recognition Program (SRP) to ESGI (Environmental, Social, Governance, and Indigenous).

This update builds on the previous ESG framework by incorporating Indigenous engagement as a key component, reflecting OECM’s commitment to advancing sustainable procurement practices and fostering inclusivity. Supplier Partners will now be recognized not only for their efforts in sustainability, governance, and ethical business practices but also for their role in supporting Indigenous businesses, partnerships, and meaningful collaboration with Indigenous communities.

OECM’s Award-Winning Supplier Recognition Program

2024 SPLC Leadership Award: OECM

OECM’s Supplier Recognition Program has been recognized as a leading-edge program in sustainable procurement, earning the prestigious 2024 Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council (SPLC) Leadership Award in the Overall Program category. This award highlights how OECM has embedded ESG principles into supplier evaluations, fostering supplier engagement, sustainability, and long-term value creation for the public sector.

By aligning procurement with ESG goals, the SRP ensures that supplier performance goes beyond cost and efficiency, recognizing their contributions to environmental stewardship, ethical business practices, and social impact.

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