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U.S. Communities A National Purchasing Program • A non-profit instrumentality of government that assists local and state government agencies, school districts (K-12), higher education, and nonprofits in reducing the cost of purchased goods through pooling the purchasing power of public agencies nationwide. • This is accomplished through competitively solicited contracts for quality products through lead public agencies.
Founding Co-Sponsors • Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) • National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP) • National Association of Counties (NACo) • National League of Cities (NLC) • United States Conference of Mayors (USCM)
The Advisory Board Public Procurement Professionals • City of Charlotte/Mecklenburg Cnty NC • Cobb County, GA • Dallas County, TX • Davis Joint Unified School District, CA • City and County of Denver, CO • Fairfax County, VA • Great Valley School District, PA • Harford County Public Schools, MD • Hennepin County, MN • School Dist of Hillsborough County, FL • City of Seattle, WA • North Carolina State University NC • City of Houston, TX • City of Los Angeles, CA • Los Angeles County, CA • Maricopa County, AZ • Miami-Dade County/Public Health Trust, FL • City of San Antonio, TX • San Diego Unified School District, CA • Wichita Public Schools, KS • Detroit Public Schools, MI • Emory University, GA Advisory Board Program Purchases Over $110 Million in 2006
Eligible Agencies • K-12 • Cities • Counties • Special Districts • Universities/Colleges • Nonprofits • State Agencies
Public Agency Value • Competitively solicited contract by a lead public agency • No cost to agencies to participate • No minimum spending requirements • Optional and non-exclusive contracts • Best government pricing
Offering Earth-friendly products in the following categories: • Office & School Supplies • Office Furniture • Janitorial Supplies • Electrical & Data Communications • Technology Products • Office Machines • School Furniture • Turf • Auto Parts • Maintenance, Repairs & Operating Supplies • Public Safety • Roofing • Park & Playground Equipment • Homeland Security • Lab Supplies
Contract Green Highlights • All: U.S. Communities reporting • Office & School Supplies (Office Depot) over 2,400 green products, green book, EPEAT products, Free ink and toner recycling, remanufactured cartridges • Office Furniture (Haworth, Herman Miller, Knoll, KI) Greenguard, LEED credits and programs • School Furniture (Virco) Greenguard, LEED for schools credits, Take-Back program • Cleaning (Zep) Green Seal and Eco Logo products, Biodegradable, soy-based solvents • Lighting, Electrical & Data Comm (Graybar) Energy Star, recycling program, LED street lights (see energy solution guide)
Contract Green Highlights • Technology Products & Solutions (TechDepot & GTSI) EPEAT products, Energy Star products • Auto Parts (AutoZone) certified re-refined oil, exclusive bio-based spill absorbent, oil recycling • Office Machines (Ricoh, Savin, IKON) EPEAT, Energy Star, recycling and equipment de-manufacturing • Maintenance, Repair and Operations (The Home Depot, HD Supply Facilities) EcoOptions: certifications in sustainable forestry, energy efficiency, water conservation, low VOC, etc. • Roofing (HCS) green roofs and solar systems meeting LEED, CRRC • Synthetic Turf & Athletic Surfaces (GSV/Astroturf) BioCel backing system, low VOC
Supplier Information Awards Company Environmental Practices Initiatives Green Product Listings
Savings Opportunities • Cooperative Contracts Concept • Add new products instead of soliticing • Office Depot’s Green Substitution Program • Increase green sales and decrease costs • LA: increase 10%, savings 5% ($290,000) • Hennepin: Doubled their green spend from 24% to 48% and decreased their cost by 10% • Graybar’s lighting recycling and audit programs • Virco’s school furniture take-back program • Office Depot’s cartridge recycling program and remanufactured cartridges • Ask your vendors for alternatives and options
www.gogreencommunities.org • www.uscommunities.org • Connie Kuranko • 925-280-4386 • ckuranko@uscommunities.org