Our Company is Committed to Sustainable Purchasing
Our company buys several products for its operation and the types of products and services we buy each have inherent social, human health, environmental, and economic impacts.
As a responsible tour operator, we are committed to buying the goods that have less impact on the sustainability. Responsible procurement will be given systematic consideration alongside factors such as price and quality. We encourage our suppliers to work with us and to improve continuously concerning the Policy.
We ensure that all our staff are familiar with our procurement policy and encourage them to stick to the specified principles when purchasing products, materials, and services.
Scope
This policy is the comprehensive part of our Sustainability Policy. The policy is applicable to the procurement activities conducted by all employees of our company.
This policy is developed with input from all the staff and is effective immediately after approval by the Managing Director. The final procurement policy will be circulated to all the employees. The policy will be formally reviewed every year to ensure its relevancy.
Sustainable Purchasing Principles
Our Sustainable Procurement Policy has the following core principles:
Minimal and Bulk Purchasing
Purchasing shall only be made once it has been determined that the product or service is necessary. Purchase decisions shall be made in the context of the waste hierarchy to avoid, reduce, reuse, and recycle. Regularly used products are purchased in bulk to reduce the amount of packaging materials.
Health and Safety
Health and safety are key points to remember while purchasing any kind of good. Every good that we purchase must meet the health and safety requirements of our employees and clients and not affect the environment, culture, and lifestyle of the local people.
Fair Products
We would prefer locally produced, organic products. We will ensure that the producer follows fair business practices, including transparency and adherence to law, human rights and economic/social equity, and environmental and animal protection.
Fair Trade labeling may help identify such products. Whenever possible, suppliers should be asked to disclose ethical information regarding production and labor outsourcing.
Sustainable Option
When buying new equipment (computers, printers, vehicles and the like) our company gives preference to newer, low energy models based on the highest local available standards. Even in the context of buying a vehicle, we prefer the electric vehicle instead of fossil fuel-consuming vehicles.
General Sustainability Practices
The following considerations should also be made in the procurement of all products and services:
Optimum Use of Available Resources
We always prefer the good that has minimum use of raw materials. The locally available resources should be used at an optimum level and alternative goods should be favored instead of goods that contain nonrenewable resources. Running costs are often overlooked when purchasing. We shouldn’t go for the short-term view and care should be taken to ensure that the product uses renewable and easily available resources at an optimum level.
Biodegradability
While buying any sort of good we should give priority to those goods which are biodegradable. If not then consideration should be given to an alternative product.
Locality
Local products should be given more priority than the other products. Consideration should be given to the products sourced from local suppliers i.e. local investment and economic sustainability.
Waste Management
Ensure that the product purchased does not have any “hidden” costs associated with its disposal.
Minimum Toxicity
Purchase materials and products that are free of toxic or polluting materials and chemicals. Purchase products and materials that will not release toxic substances that can affect human health and pollute water, land, or air at any stage of the lifecycle.
Minimum Habitat Destruction
Purchase paper and wood products obtained from recycled, plantation, salvages, or renewable resources. Purchase green cleaning products that don’t result in discharges of toxic chemicals to waterways.
Maximum Water Efficiency
Purchase products that conserve water or efficiently use water.
Minimum Greenhouse Gas Emissions
Our company will purchase energy-efficient products and materials by checking that the energy rating and efficiency features are the best available for the cost over the lifetime of the product. Purchase renewable energy and reduce the consumption of fossil fuels. Purchase goods that have not been transported long distances.
Minimum Soil Degradation
Purchase products, materials, and services that will not degrade or pollute the soils, or result in erosion through their use.
Packaging
Ensure that the minimum packaging is used and that any that is used is reused, or if that is impossible, recycled by the distributor or manufacturer.
Compliance with Laws and Regulations
The company will comply with all relevant Nepali laws, as well as international regulations related to environmental protection, labor standards, and ethical sourcing. This includes regulations governing waste disposal, pollution control, labor laws, and trade practices.
Continuous Improvement
Ace the Himalaya is committed to continuously improving its responsible and sustainable procurement practices. Regular feedback will be gathered from stakeholders, and the policy will be reviewed periodically to reflect changing industry standards, customer expectations, and new sustainability opportunities.
