Shop sustainably and still keep an eye on costs
by Wiepa Team on Jun 24, 2026Sustainable purchasing and still keeping costs in check
In short
A low unit price says little about the true costs if an item is reordered frequently or procured in many individual deliveries. Sustainable purchasing and cost control therefore stand in each other's way less often than many companies initially assume.
Many companies first associate sustainable purchasing with higher prices. While this may be true in individual cases, it is not the whole truth. Especially with office supplies and office provisions, costs arise not only from the item price, but also from ordering processes, search effort, deliveries, storage, and incorrect purchases.
The unit price isn't everything
A cheap item can become expensive if it is frequently reordered, quickly consumed, or procured in many individual orders. Sustainable purchasing should therefore always consider process costs and consumption quantities.
- Bundle orders
- Define core assortments
- Set minimum stock levels
- Evaluate durable products
- Utilize refill solutions
- Reduce incorrect purchases
Where sustainable purchasing often pays off
Items with regular consumption are particularly suitable: paper, notepads, sticky notes, folders, hygiene articles, cleaning products, and packaging material. Here, small changes can have a noticeable effect over the year.
Examples from everyday office life
Recycled paper can be set as the standard for internal printouts. Refillable markers and pens reduce disposable items. Packaging material can be dimensioned more appropriately or reused. Order lists ensure that employees don't have to search anew every time.
Frequently Asked Questions
Where do most hidden costs arise?
Mostly from frequent individual orders and search effort, not from the price of the individual item itself.
Is it enough to switch only individual items?
Yes, even a handful of frequently used items in the core assortment can have a noticeable effect; a complete conversion is not necessary.
How can the effect be measured most easily?
By the number of orders and deliveries per period; less frequent, but bundled orders are a good indicator.
Further Wiepa Guides
Sustainable office supplies: What really belongs to it?
Core assortment in purchasing: Why less choice often saves more money
Conclusion
Sustainable purchasing doesn't have to be perfect. It becomes effective when companies consciously select regularly needed items and structure them permanently. Wiepa supports this with suitable products and personal advice: Sustainable purchasing for office supplies and office provisions.
