Purchasing and Negotiation Training

Editor’s note: This is the latest in a series of quizzes that test our knowledge as purchasing professionals.  

Robert Menard, Certified Purchasing Professional, Certified Professional Purchasing Consultant

Before you blow off Green Purchasing as “touchy-feely”, try this eye opening quiz that highlights the cost reduction aspects of Sustainability. 

Write to me at RobertMenard@RobertMenard.com for the Answer Sheet.

1—–Which of the following is/are true about Green Purchasing? (Pick as many as appropriate)

a—–It usually costs money

b—–It usually saves money

c—–It is savings neutral

d—–It is too difficult to compute

 2—–Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) gains are publicized pronouncements for many companies engaged in B2C commerce such as retailers and chain restaurants.  How does purchasing contribute to CSR successes?  (Pick as many as appropriate)

a—–Reduced energy consumption reduces carbon foot print and cost

b—–Recycling waste reduces the demand for new raw material and conserves land fill space

c—–Diversity in the work force and the use of local labor saves money

d—–Conserving fresh water saves money

 3—–Of these five major Sustainability initiatives, which does not fall directly under purchasing’s control? (Pick as many as appropriate)

a—–Electricity, motor, and power fuels

b—–Reduce/Reuse/Recycle

c—–Construction and Facilities

d—–Chemical and Environmental Management

e—–Corporate Social Responsibility

4—– Buying green energy costs more.  True or False

 5—–Rank these fuels in the order of most Btu intensive per dollar from greatest to least.

a—–Diesel oil #2

b—–Coal

c—–Natural gas

d—–Industrial oil # 6

e—–Electricity

 6—–Which of these is not an electrical energy savings device/measure? (Pick as many as appropriate)

a—–Soft start or ramp up frequency inverters for motors

b—–Shifting of peak demand to off hours

c—–Favoring fluorescent lighting over incandescent

d—–Using higher voltage whenever possible

e—–Motion sensor switches

 7—–Electric/fossil fuel hybrid cars are without doubt a greener alternative to traditional gasoline, diesel, and natural gas powered vehicles.  True or False?

 8—–Nuclear power is considered to be (Pick as many as appropriate)

a—–A sustainable power option

b—–Not a sustainable power option

c—–Subject of vigorous and ongoing dispute 

9—–Which of these benefits is not a direct result of “Reduction” (Pick as many as appropriate)

a—–It saves cartage cost to landfills

b—–It conserves landfill space

c—–It saves labor costs

d—–It saves fuel costs

Click here for online or CD/print media versions of "Green Purchasing" course

 10—–Which is not a legitimate category of Reuse?  (Pick as many as appropriate)

a—–Reusing the product for its original purpose

b—–Reusing the product for a different purpose

c—–Recycling the product

d—–Reducing the demand for the product

 11—–How does Recycling save money? (Pick as many as appropriate)

a—–It minimizes the need for virgin raw material

b—–It does not save money

c—–It preserves resources

d—–Recycling is not always possible 

12—– Which of these do not constitute a Sustainable initiative? (Pick as many as appropriate)

a—–Reclaiming “gray water” (no sewage solids) and using for irrigation

b—–Reclaiming atmospheric precipitation rain, snow, sleet, etc) and reusing as process, fire protection, and even potable purposes

c—–Reclaiming storm water run off so that a high percentage of the  “natural state” is retained

d—–Combining sanitary with storm sewer waste

 13—–Early last century, oil was considered an “alternative” fuel to the existing coal, animal and mineral oils then is use.  Which of these are considered “alternative” fuels today? (Pick as many as appropriate)

a—–Solar/photovoltaic

b—–Wind

c—–Geothermal

d—–Tide

 14—–Which of these is not a “renewable”  fuel?

a—–Trash

b—–Biomass

c—–Wind

d—–Hydro

e—–Biogenic

So how did you do?  If not as well as you had hoped, click here for the online course, Green Purchasing and Sustainability.