WEST Devon Borough Council sent letters to all its suppliers last week asking for proof of their commitment to saving the planet.
Andrea Bull, the council's senior resource officer, told suppliers the council was committed to sustainable development and was thus implementing an Environmental Management System.
Part of this means that goods and services must be purchased locally wherever possible and products purchased must be produced to the highest environmental specification possible, ie recycled, traded fairly and sustainably sourced.
Mrs Bull said: 'The council recognises that the companies and organisations from which it purchases goods and services have an equal responsibility to the environment.
'The council can therefore make a positive effect on the supply chain by purchasing from those companies and organisations that have credible sustainable development criteria.'
Suppliers will have to provide an environmental policy statement or proof that an environmental management system was in place or being implemented before September 15.