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Responsible Purchasing 101. April 11, 2014. Scot Case UL Environment Scot.Case@ul.com. Underwriters Laboratories. The Mark of Trust. Underwriters Laboratories is expanding the definition of safety to include protecting the safety of future generations.
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Responsible Purchasing 101 April 11, 2014 Scot Case UL Environment Scot.Case@ul.com
Underwriters Laboratories The Mark of Trust
Underwriters Laboratories is expanding the definition of safety to include protecting the safety of future generations.
“Every single purchase has hidden human health, environmental, and social impacts.” 4
Environmental Concerns • Mass extinctions • Deforestation & soil erosion • Air & water pollution • “Super” bacteria, viruses, and insects • Dwindling natural resources • Cancer rates increasing • Reproductive disorders increasing • Fisheries collapsing • Water tables falling • Climate Change
Hidden Impacts Biodiversity Loss Asthma Air Pollution Toxic Climate Change Water Pollution Resource Depletion Habitat Destruction Cancer
Resource Consumption • One ton of virgin paper requires 98 tons of resources to produce. • A single 1/10 ounce, 14-carat gold ring requires 2.8 tons of ore
Typical Desktop Computer • Manufacturing a typical desktop computer creates 139-pounds of waste and 49 pounds of hazardous materials. • Producing the six-inch silicon wafer from which computer chips are cut generates 2,840 gallons of wastewater and 7 pounds of hazardous waste.
Reducing Impacts • When recycled materials are used to produce paper, aluminum, and glass, energy consumption can be reduced by up to 95%, water consumption by up to 50%, air pollution by 95%, and water pollution by up to 97%. • When scrap iron is used instead of iron ore to make steel, mining wastes are reduced by 97%, air pollution effluents by 80%, and water pollution by 76%.
Buying Green Can Save Green • Lower compliance costs • Lower disposal costs • Lower liability costs • Lower injury costs • Higher productivity
Buying Green Can Save Green • In 2013, the Massachusetts Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Program saved Massachusetts taxpayers $4.6 million in reduced costs while avoiding 29,000 tons of global warming emissions. • Massachusetts has been buying 100% recycled content copy paper for almost 20 years.
Beware of Greenwashing Scot Case Scot.Case@UL.com 610 781-1684
According to the FTC: FALSE CLAIMS Environmental Claims are Growing • Made with non-toxic ingredients • Degradable • Biodegradable • Compostable • Environmentally safe • CFC-free • Ozone friendly • Recyclable • Eco-safe • Environmentally friendly • Earth friendly • Earth smart • Environmentally safe • Environmentally preferable • Essentially non-toxic • Practically non-toxic Original Source: Kirsten Ritche, Gensler
Beware of Greenwashing Green∙wash (grēn'wŏsh', -wôsh') – verb: the act of misleading consumers regarding the environmental practices of a company or the environmental benefits of a product or service WARNING: Learn to ask critical questions or you might be buying products with creative marketing rather than products with legitimate environmental benefits.
Seven “Sins” of Greenwashing www.sinsofgreenwashing.org
Important Advice If a supplier is making a public claim, ask for public proof.
Using Eco-Labels Good News: Labels make life easier.
Recommended Contract Language “Products purchased under this contract must provide demonstrable proof of meeting the ______ standard. The _______ standard is available at <________>.” • “Products purchased under this contract must provide demonstrable proof of meeting the Energy Star criteria. The Energy Star standard is available at <www.energystar.gov>.” • “Products purchased under this contract must provide demonstrable proof of meeting the IEEE 1680 standard. A summary of the IEEE 1680 standard is available at <www.epeat.net>.”
Recommended Contract Language “Products purchased under this contract must be ________ certified or provide demonstrable proof of meeting the _________ standard and certification requirements. The ____________ standard and certification requirements are available at <_______________>.” UL Environment UL Environment UL Environment www.ul.com/environment
UL Environment’s Product Certification Building Materials Fuels/Lubricants/ Transportation Other Janitorial/Sanitation 16 Thermal Insulation 20 Wall board 33 Office Furniture 47/48 Surface Coatings 102 Door Leafs 150 Steel 152 Flooring Products 167 Mosaic Tiles 2761 Sealants/Caulking Compounds 2762 Adhesives 2763 EE Cancellations Transformers 2764 Gas Fired Condensers 2766 HVAC Systems 2768 Architectural Surface Coatings 2778 Recycled Plastic Products 53 Fuels 54 Engine Oil 60 Corrosion Control 61 Car Wash 69 Lubricants 73 Combustible Gel Prods 74 Solid Biofuels 138 Runway Deicing 2779 Dust Suppressants 3 Electricity 110 Mobile Phones 133 Batteries 161 Refrigerant Collection Program 162/4 GHG Neutral 172 Toys 2774 Events 2782 Solid Biofuels 7001 Household Refrigeration Services 113 Drain/Grease Trap 2767 Paint/Varnish Remover 82-86 Sanitary Paper 106 Laundry Bleach 2776 Laundry Detergent 110-116 Biologicals 146 Cleaners 2777 Floor Care 2780 Urinal Blocks 166 Disinfectants 2781 Pool & Spa • Customer Benefits: • Certification and standards compliance • Provides consumer confidence in the quality of the product and the manufacturers commitment to sustainability Office Related Non-ULE SPCs 32/33 Office Panels 35 Office Machines 39/41/141 Printing Related 77 Printing and Writing Papers 2771 Paper 2773 Pens/ Mechanical Pencils 2785 Printing Cartridges Packaging/Bags 75 Pulp 76 Paper Board 79 Business Forms 80 Envelopes 87/100 Bags 125-127 Resin and Plastics 135 Beverage Packaging 145 Food Containers Personal Care 103 Personal Care 2783 Hand Sanitizer 2784 Hand Cleaners
Recommended Contract Language “Products purchased under this contract must offer independent validation for all environmental claims, such as the validation offered by ________.” UL Environment
Underwriters Laboratories The Mark of Trust
Questions? Scot Case UL Environment Scot.Case@ul.com