Andrew Seal, head of branch print, publishing and distribution, said the DFT was taking the lead in establishing the framework to reach a wider central government audience.

"We see this as a major piece of procurement," Seal said.

He said that although the 27,000 tonnes did not represent all of central government's paper purchasing, a polling exercise is underway to determine the exact figure.

Since 2000, 30 government departments have purchased 15,356 tonnes of recycled paper, saving 2.5m in public money.

The existing framework has been dealing with four paper merchants: Robert Horne, Howard Smith, Premier Paper and James McNaughton.

The aim is to increase the number of merchants and, at the same time, increase the use of recycled paper products and hopefully the amount available.

The framework will provide for the supply of recycled coated and uncoated printing papers and will replace the existing framework in place since 2000.

This strategy forms part of the sustainable procurement agenda for government departments, which the Waste Resources Action Programme advised on.

Seal said the framework had been established in partnership with Department for the Environment, Food, and Rural Affairs, and the Department of Trade and Industry.

Its aim is to develop a supplier network for recycled printing papers

Story by Andy Scott