Disposable Items in Outsourced Services
Heliopolis University | SDG 12 – 2025
Purpose and scope
Extend the university approach to disposable items to outsourced services and relevant supply arrangements. This policy applies to relevant university operations and participants.
Policy measures
- Communicate disposable-item reduction requirements to outsourced service providers.
- Include relevant requirements in new or renewed service contracts where appropriate.
- Request practical steps to reduce disposable items and encourage reusable alternatives.
- Monitor delivery through proportionate reviews, provider reports or other agreed evidence.
- Address non-compliance through documented follow-up and improvement actions.
Responsibilities and review
Procurement and contract owners communicate and monitor relevant contractual requirements.
Contracting: Service specifications and relevant new or renewed contracts should communicate requirements to reduce disposable items in services delivered to the university, including catering, cleaning, events and other relevant outsourced operations. Define the applicable scope, roles, permitted exceptions and reporting arrangements.
Service-provider measures: Providers should assess disposable products used in service delivery, prevent unnecessary use and identify suitable durable, reusable or refillable alternatives. Any replacement must meet food safety, hygiene, accessibility and operational requirements.
Communication and mobilisation: Contract owners should communicate the requirements to providers before service commencement and ensure that relevant provider personnel understand sorting, reuse, storage and cleaning arrangements. Providers should communicate applicable expectations to subcontractors.
Monitoring and corrective actions: Contract owners should use proportionate checks, meetings, purchasing information or provider reports to assess progress. Record issues and agree reasonable actions and timelines with providers. Escalate persistent material non-compliance in line with the contract.
Evidence and review: Retain relevant contract clauses, service specifications, communications, records of checks and corrective actions. Requirements and results should be reviewed periodically, recognising existing contractual obligations and change procedures.
