Gentofte: Comparing service models, strengthening circular use and influencing everyday consumption

In Gentofte Municipality, public procurement is being used as a practical testing ground to better understand how different purchasing models and user behaviour influence environmental impact. Within ChemClimCircle-2, the municipality is working on three cases that span from operational services to large framework agreements, demonstrating how CCC principles can be applied both in procurement design and in contract management.

Case 1: Service vs ownership – understanding the impact of floor mats

One of the most exploratory cases focuses on the procurement of floor mats, where Gentofte is comparing two fundamentally different models: renting mats as a service (including cleaning) versus purchasing them as products.

For many years, the municipality has relied on a service model, where mats are rented and regularly cleaned. However, other municipalities have begun shifting toward purchasing mats, primarily due to cost considerations. Gentofte is now using this procurement to assess not only price differences, but also the full climate, circularity and chemical impacts of both approaches.

This includes examining the entire lifecycle: what materials the mats are made of, how they are produced, how often and with what methods they are cleaned, transport emissions from logistics, and what happens at end-of-life – whether mats are discarded or reused.

A key ambition is to establish a clear baseline for each CCC aspect and use it to compare the impacts of the two models. Previous procurements already included sustainability considerations, but often in broad or weakly defined terms. This time, the municipality aims to develop more precise and balanced criteria – strong enough to drive impact, while still ensuring competition and manageable verification requirements.

The procurement, expected to result in a four-year framework agreement (2027–2031), is still in the preparation phase, with the procedure to be determined based on the final contract value.

Case 2: Driving behavioural change through office supplies contract management

The second case focuses on contract management rather than a new procurement. Gentofte is using a national framework agreement managed by Danish National Procurement (SKI), covering office supplies, paper and related equipment.

The agreement itself already includes CCC-related criteria, but the municipality’s focus is on how these are implemented in practice. The main objective is to influence user behaviour – encouraging a shift toward more sustainable and circular products, such as refills and certified items, while also reducing overall consumption.

Rather than changing the contract, the emphasis is on internal processes: guiding users toward better choices within the existing framework. Selected end users will be consulted to better understand needs and preferences, ensuring that available products support both functionality and sustainability goals.

This case highlights an often-overlooked aspect of procurement – the role of everyday decisions made by users after a contract is in place.

Case 3: Extending product lifetimes through furniture contract management

The third case also builds on a framework agreement managed by Danish National Procurement (SKI), focusing on furniture for offices and public spaces. The agreement includes not only the purchase of furniture, but also services for repair, refurbishment and maintenance.

Here, the primary CCC objective is to increase circularity by extending the lifetime of products and reducing the need for new purchases. This includes promoting reuse, repair services and more standardised purchasing practices across the municipality.

The agreement has been developed with input from multiple municipalities and expert organisations, ensuring that sustainability considerations – including climate and chemical aspects – are integrated from the outset. Gentofte’s role is to implement these possibilities in practice and shift internal behaviour toward more sustainable use patterns.

Why it matters

Together, these three cases show how Gentofte approaches sustainable procurement from multiple angles: by comparing fundamentally different service models, by actively managing contracts to influence user behaviour, and by extending the lifetime of products through circular solutions.

A key strength of this approach is its focus on real-life use and lifecycle impacts – going beyond procurement as a one-time decision and instead addressing how products and services function over time. By combining technical analysis, market dialogue and behavioural change, Gentofte is building a more comprehensive understanding of how CCC principles can be effectively implemented in practice.

Contact details:

Rikke Eistrøm Rahimic

Head Consultant, Gentofte Municipality

rrah@gentofte.dk

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