Environmentally Sustainable Procurement Practices
Environmentally sustainable procurement practices include purchase of goods and services that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with competing products or services that serve the same purpose. Such products or services may include, but are not limited to, those that contain recycled content, minimize waste, conserve energy or water, and reduce the amount of toxics disposed or consumed.
An ever increasing number of products are made from recycled materials—from the carpeting and insulation used in office buildings, to the reams of office paper purchased each day. Buying recycled helps "close the recycling loop" by putting the materials we collect through recycling programs back to good use as products in the marketplace.
Environmentally preferable products
Environmentally preferable products (EPPs) are products and services that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared to competing products or services that serve the same purpose. They may include, but are not be limited to, items that:
- Contain recycled materials
- Whenever practical, purchase paper with recycled content, including a minimum of 30% post consumer waste (for example, willcopy recycled, 92 brightness, 20 lb., or Georgia Pacific Spectrum Recycled, 20lb. 92 brightness from Rudolph's Office Supply), unless specialty paper is required.
- Minimize waste
- Conserve energy and/or water
- Consist of fewer toxic substances
- Reduce the amount of toxic substances disposed or consumed
- Protect open-space
- Lesson the impact to public health
Energy Star
Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping us all save money and protect the environment through energy efficient products and practices. Results are already adding up. Americans, with the help of ENERGY STAR, saved enough energy in 2006 alone to avoid greenhouse gas emissions equivalent to those from 25 million cars — all while saving $14 billion on their utility bills.
Check out the EPS web site for for information about Energy Star certification and products.
Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education
The University of Baltimore is a signatory to the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education’s American College and University President’s Climate Commitment.
Maryland Environmental Service Buy Recycled Training
MES offers a Buy Recycled Training Manual. The manual provides governments, businesses and institutions with information on the status of buy recycled programs nationally and gives a step-by-step description of ways to start or improve a buy recycled program. It includes information on topics such as available products, price, quality, specifications, waste prevention, record keeping and evaluation. MES can provide a half-day or full-day training program on developing a quality buy-recycled program. For more information on the manual or training, contact Richard Keller at 410-974-7254, email rkell@menv.com
Additional Resources and references to entities that certify products as environmentally preferable:
Green Guard
Green Seal
Green Products Directory