Västerås: Using procurement to create non-toxic learning environments, low-carbon infrastructure and energy-efficient IT systems

In Västerås, public procurement is increasingly used as a strategic tool to reduce hazardous substances, lower climate impacts and support circular solutions. Within ChemClimCircle-2, the municipality is working on several very different procurements, demonstrating how CCC principles can be applied across education, infrastructure and digital services.

Case 1: Safer and more circular materials for schools and preschools

One of the focus procurements concerns tools and materials for textile education in schools and preschools, including hand tools, yarns, fabrics and sewing accessories. The procurement is carried out as an open direct procurement with a contract period of four years.

The work is closely linked to Västerås’ “Non-toxic Preschool” initiative, which aims to eliminate or significantly reduce plastics and harmful substances in children’s learning environments. Previous procurements were largely evaluated on lowest price, resulting in widespread use of synthetic materials such as acrylic yarns and plastic tools.

In this new procurement, CCC objectives are brought to the forefront. The municipality is exploring criteria that favour natural and safer materials, such as organic cotton, wool, wood and metal, while phasing out plastics and synthetic alternatives wherever possible. Circularity is addressed by focusing on durability and quality, ensuring that materials withstand long-term educational use.

The planning process involves a multidisciplinary team: chemical and plastics experts from the Non-toxic Preschool project, textile teachers representing end-user needs, a sustainability specialist and a procurement officer ensuring legal compliance. Teachers play a key role by translating sustainability ambitions into practical classroom requirements.

Verification approaches are still being developed and are expected to include certificates for certain materials (e.g. organic textiles), alongside tailored documentation for products where formal labels are not available.

Case 2: Low-carbon and circular bridge construction

Another CCC-2 case focuses on the construction and repair of a pedestrian and cycling bridge, carried out through an open, single-stage procedure. While relatively modest in value, the procurement is seen as an opportunity to align infrastructure investment with Västerås’ climate goals.

Here, CCC objectives centre on reducing greenhouse gas emissions from concrete construction and increasing circularity. Early ideas include the use of low-carbon concrete with significantly reduced CO₂ emissions, recycled content, optimised structural design and requirements that support future disassembly and reuse.

Market dialogue is expected to play a key role, potentially through a request for information (RFI), to identify feasible alternatives to conventional concrete solutions. Sustainability specialists within the procurement department support the procurer by formulating climate- and circularity-focused criteria, while remaining within regulatory frameworks.

Although detailed criteria and verification methods are still under development, the case illustrates how even smaller infrastructure projects can be used to steer the market toward safer, low-carbon and more resource-efficient solutions.

Case 3: Long-term climate focus in large-scale IT services procurement

The third case is Västerås’ largest ICT procurement, covering IT infrastructure and services such as networks, user accounts, software development, internet services and support. The framework is established through a negotiated procedure with prior publication and has a potential duration of up to 12 years. The neighbouring municipality of Hallstahammar is also entitled to use the agreement.

Due to its scale and long duration, this procurement places a strong emphasis on climate impacts, particularly energy efficiency and energy use in digital infrastructure. Circularity considerations are also explored, although the rapidly evolving nature of the ICT sector presents challenges when setting long-term sustainability requirements.

The procurement is prepared collaboratively by IT experts, the digitalisation department, procurement officers, sustainability specialists and legal advisors. Market dialogue is conducted through multiple RFIs followed by a negotiated procedure, allowing the municipality to better understand what sustainability demands can remain relevant and enforceable over a decade or more.

Rather than prescribing fixed technical solutions, the municipality aims to define sustainability expectations that can evolve over time, ensuring that climate considerations remain central throughout the contract period.

Why it matters

Together, these three cases show how Västerås applies the CCC approach across very different procurement types: from everyday educational materials and local infrastructure to complex, long-term digital services. By integrating chemical safety, climate ambition and circular thinking into procurement planning, the municipality demonstrates how public purchasing can actively support healthier environments, lower emissions and more sustainable systems.

Contact details:

Anki Juthberg

Sustainability Coordinator, Department of Strategic Procurement, City of Västerås

ann-cristin.juthberg@vasteras.se

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