Green Procurement: Part of Your Card Holder Responsibilities

Green Procurement means showing preference for products and services that benefit the environment, such as:

Made with Recycled ContentBiobased Environmentally PreferableEnergy and Water EfficientAlternative Fuels or Vehicles Lacking in Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS)Without EPA Priority Chemicals Green Electronics

Benefits of Green Procurement

Saves energy and conserves resourcesSaves moneySaves landfill spaceReduces pollution and adverse health effectsCreates markets for environmentally beneficial

productsProvides incentive for development of new

technologiesPromotes environmental stewardship and

sustainability

DoD’s Green Procurement Program

The DoD Green Procurement Program was established in August 2004, updated in 2008

Requires that green products and services be considered as first choice for all procurementsAssigns responsibility to virtually every DoD employee; notes need for awareness trainingRequires implementation at organizational level where initial purchasing requirements are defined

What Requires Us to Buy Green?

The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) requires federal card holders and contracts to follow all procurement preference program requirements.Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) requires each federal agency to have a program favoring the purchase of recycled-content products. This “Buy Recycled” program is overseen by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA).EOs 13423 and 13514 require federal agencies to purchase green (environmentally preferable) productsThe 2002 Farm Bill added biobased products to mandatory procurement programs. This ‘BioPreferred’ program is overseen by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Designated Products –When purchasing these products, it is mandatory to give preference to recycled or biobased content

EPA’s “Buy Recycled” ProgramCurrently 62 designated products Example: recycled-content paper

USDA’s “BioPreferred” Program

Currently 42 designated items; more proposedExample: bathroom cleaners

EPA’s Buy Recycled Program consists of Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPGs) and

Recovered Materials Advisory Notices (RMANs)

CPGs designate the products that must contain recovered material – for example, recycled copy paperRMANs provide recommended recycled-content percentages and guidance on buying recycled-content products – for example, 30% post-consumer content Tip: Purchasers should look for the highest

post-consumer content possible in the products they buy – that way our biggest waste stream is reduced through recycling!

EPA-Designated Products (CPG Items) that may be acquired by Purchase Card

Paper (including copy paper, computer paper, envelopes, index cards, folders)Toner CartridgesOffice products (such as binders, clipboards, portfolios, printer ribbons, plastic desktop accessories)Trash bagsAwards and plaques

Signs SorbentsLatex paintAntifreezeLubricating oilsOffice recycling containersOffice waste receptaclesSanitary tissue (including bathroom tissue, paper towels)See the EPA web site for a complete list … www.epa.gov/cpg

USDA-Designated Items under the BioPreferred Program that may be acquired by Purchase Card

Lip care products Hydraulic fluids Biodegradable cutlery Glass cleaners Greases Dust suppressants Carpets Carpet and upholstery

cleaners

Adhesive and mastic removers

Hand cleaners/sanitizers Biodegradable containers Fertilizers Sorbents Graffiti and grease

removers Laundry products Bathroom and spa cleaners De-icersSee the USDA web site for a complete list … www.ars.usda.gov/bbcc/

ExceptionsAccording to the regulations, we must purchase designated items with recycled or biobased content, except when the product:

Is available only at an unreasonable price

Will not meet reasonable performance standards

Is unavailable within a reasonable timeframe or at a sufficient level of competition

Price

Performance

Availability

Other Green Products You Can Choose Energy Efficient products qualified by

ENERGY STAR or designated by the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) – such as light bulbs or fax machines

Products certified by reputable organizations such as EcoLogo, Chlorine Free Products Association (CFPA), Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Green Guard, Green Seal, Design for the Environment

Products with safer ingredients (substitutes for chlorine, ammonia, ozone-depleting substances, volatile organic compounds, or metals such as cadmium and lead)

Where can you find green products? Many are available in the supply system!

How do you know a product is Green?

• Icons/Symbols – GSA has icons indicating environmental qualities

• Environment Attribute Codes (For DLA purchases, click on the tree for green products)

• Product Labels and Certifications

• Search Features Green

What Should You Do?Buy Green! Look for labels and descriptions that indicate

the product has environmental or energy-saving benefits

Search for green products in catalogs and online sources

Request green products from your vendors and supply sources

Follow Designated Product Requirements! Refer to the lists of designated CPG and

BioPreferred items when you are making a purchase, and make sure you buy and specify recycled and biobased products

For More Information…

For Green Procurement Information, start with the FedCenter web site at www.fedcenter.gov Find out more information about the CPG items on the EPA web site www.epa.gov/cpg/ For information about USDA’s Biobased program and the items on the BioPreferred list, visit www.biobased.oce.usda.gov.