Environmentally Preferable Purchasing

Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Maggie Theriot Sustainability Coordinator Leon County, Florida

What is EPP EPP – goods and services that have a lesser or reduced impact on the environment over the life cycle of the item when compared with competing goods of the same purpose. Environment + Price + Performance = EPP Life Cycle = “cradle to grave” assessment considers materials extraction, production, transport, use of the product and end-of-life disposal.

What to look for Pre-purchase Recycled content Reconditioned/remanufactured Biobased Reduced packaging Reduced toxins Locally sourced or produced During Use Durability Energy/Water Efficiency Alt Uses Post-purchase Recyclability Take-back Disassembly potential

Buyer Beware Greenwashing – Product spin Outwardly environmentally conscious, underlying purpose is profits More resources spent to market then on environmentally sound practices Same product, new nature scene label Six sins of greenwashing Hidden trade off – energy efficient with more haz mats (57%) No proof – claim certified (26%) Vagueness – 100% natural, but many hazards are naturally occurring such as formaldehyde (11%) Irrelevance – CFC free, banned 20 years ago (4%) Fibbing – Falsely claim cert (1%) Lesser of two evils – Environmentally friendly pesticides (1%)

Buyer Beware Approximately 300 Eco-labels (any consumer logo that claims an added environmental or social benefit) EcoLabelling.org – provides info on who manages each label, how it is verified, how long cert lasts, and how frequent recipients are audited) Standards based – product should undergo testing and verification Push for federal standard – EPA or EPD (Environmental Product Declaration) next generation environ labeling based on life cycle assessment Federal Trade Comm charged Kmart and two others with false and unsubstantiated claims in 06/09 (first action in over 10 years)

Where to find it in FL FL DMS – Climate friendly preferred product list (10,000 products such as carpet, furniture and office supplies) California Energy Commission (CEC) Appliance Efficiency Regulations California Environmentally Preferred Products Guide California State Agency Buy Recycled Program (SABRC) Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) Energy Star EPA Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPG) EPA SmartWay and SmartWay Elite EPA WaterSense Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Green Seal Greenguard MDBC's Cradle to Cradle Silver Certification (or higher) Minnesota Green Guardian EPP Guide NEMA Premium SCS (Scientific Cert. Sys.) / NSF International Terra Choice / Ecologo US Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) USDA Organic Label

Where to find it FL DMS – Climate friendly preferred product list (10,000 products such as carpet, furniture and office supplies) California Energy Commission (CEC) Appliance Efficiency Regulations California Environmentally Preferred Products Guide California State Agency Buy Recycled Program (SABRC) Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) Energy Star EPA Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPG) EPA SmartWay and SmartWay Elite EPA WaterSense Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Green Seal Greenguard MDBC's Cradle to Cradle Silver Certification (or higher) Minnesota Green Guardian EPP Guide NEMA Premium SCS (Scientific Cert. Sys.) / NSF International Terra Choice / Ecologo US Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) USDA Organic Label

Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) Meets all 23 required criteria Meets required plus 50% of optional Meets required plus 75% of optional Pertains to Desktops, Integrated Desktop Computers, Moniters, Notebooks, Thin Clients, and Workstations. Evaluates electronic products on 51 environmental criteria - 23 required criteria and 28 optional criteria

Energy Star Joint program with EPA and DOE Products are 10-25% more efficient than required by federal standards Appliances Heating & Cooling Home Envelope Home Electronics Office Equipment (computers, copiers, fax, mail machines, printers) Lighting Commercial Food service

Forest Stewardship Council Independent, non-governmental, not-for-profit organization Applies to any product made of pulp or paper with wood originating from FSC sources Intended to shift markets away from companies that support illegal, unsustainable, unverified logging activities Beyond harvest – employee rights, health & safety, wildlife protection, bans avoidable toxins

Green Seal Works to “green” production chain. Use life-cycle approach (material extraction, manufacturing, use, and disposal) Certification requires testing, evaluation, and on-site plant visits and annual monitoring. Assistance (for a fee) – institute green purchasing, provide list of recommended products, contract language, environmental and financial justification for products

Green Seal – Products & Services • Food & Food Service Products • Coffee filters • Plates • Printed Paper & Newsprint • Office paper • Envelopes Construction Materials, Equip, Systems Chillers Paints & coatings Windows & doors Facilities Ops & Maint Floor finishes & strippers Hand soaps & cleaners Industrial cleaners Paper towels, napkins, tissue

GreenGuard • Insulation • Office equipment • Furniture • Paints & coatings • Textiles • Window treatments • Visual display boards Product certification program for low emitting interior building materials, cleaning products, furnishings, and finish systems. Adhesives Air filters Ceiling systems Cleaning products Maintenance products Doors Electronics Flooring

Where to find it FL DMS – Climate friendly preferred product list (10,000 products such as carpet, furniture and office supplies) California Energy Commission (CEC) Appliance Efficiency Regulations California Environmentally Preferred Products Guide California State Agency Buy Recycled Program (SABRC) Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) Energy Star EPA Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPG) EPA SmartWay and SmartWay Elite EPA WaterSense Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Green Seal Greenguard MDBC's Cradle to Cradle Silver Cert (or higher) Minnesota Green Guardian EPP Guide NEMA Premium SCS (Scientific Cert. Sys.) / NSF International Terra Choice / Ecologo US Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) USDA Organic Label

Cradle to Cradle Measure achievement in environmentally-intelligent design Materials - ID all ingredients, assess all for health impacts (carcinogen, endocrine disruption etc), can only contains FSC wood Material Reutilization – product recovery plan (different than recycling) Energy – energy use in manufacturing, incorporate solar income for production Water – adopt water stewardship principals, asses water flows in manufacture, water conservation measures, quality of water discharge Social Responsibility – adopt cooperate ethics statement, conduct 3rd party assessment Building Exteriors, Carpet Fiber, Cleaning Products, Floor Coverings, Food Packaging, Gutters/Downspouts, Office Seating/ Workstations/ Tables/ Desks, Whiteboards Basic, silver, gold, platinum…doing well just to be basic

SCS – Scientific Certification Systems Independent 3rd party certification of environmental, sustainability, food quality and food purity claims → the greenwashing police Management system certification, product certification, inspection, validation and verification in accordance with the applicable certification standards Freedom from commercial, financial and other pressures that might influence the findings Logo display, chain of custody, Fed Trade Comm, EPA’s EPP, FSC…you choose the standard and they verify it Agricultural production, food processing and handling, forestry, fisheries, flowers and plants, energy, green building, consumer and business product manufacturing, and corporate social responsibility.

Where to apply it Janitorial services Landscaping services Administration Material/Waste Mngt Copier/ Office equipment Printing Construction Renovation Building Maintenance Fleet Maintenance

How to apply EPP Do an Environmental Audit or collect baseline information Set policy or pass resolution on EPP Establish up an EPP team Adopt specific goals Gather broad support

How to apply EPP • Do an Environmental Audit or collect baseline information • Assess current procurement practices • Identify in use products to eliminate or substitute • Set policy or pass resolution on EPP • Establish up an EPP team • Adopt specific goals • Gather broad support

How to apply EPP • Do an Environmental Audit or collect baseline information • Set policy or pass resolution on EPP • Provide direction to purchasing decisions • Assume responsibility for better purchasing • Establish up an EPP team • Adopt specific goals • Gather broad support

How to apply EPP • Do an Environmental Audit or collect baseline information • Set policy or pass resolution on EPP • Establish up an EPP team • Assign responsibilities involving both purchasing and environmental expertise • Coordinate efforts through team approach • Adopt specific goals • Gather broad support

How to apply EPP • Do an Environmental Audit or collect baseline information • Set policy or pass resolution on EPP • Establish up an EPP team • Adopt specific goals • Start with simple changes • Target environmental standards without sacrificing performance and costs • Gather broad support

How to apply EPP • Do an Environmental Audit or collect baseline information • Set policy or pass resolution on EPP • Establish up an EPP team • Adopt specific goals • Gather broad support • Ensure management “buy-in” • Encourage participation of and feedback from everyone concerned (at all levels)

Implementing an EPP Program Create procedure to apply environmental criteria Train staff and disseminate information Integrate environmental aspects of purchasing documents Communicate EPP needs to suppliers

Implementing an EPP Program • Create procedure to apply environmental criteria • Evaluate products and alternatives using eco-labels & guidebooks • Consider reduction in primary usage at the outset • Train staff and disseminate information • Integrate environmental aspects of purchasing documents • Communicate EPP needs to suppliers

Implementing an EPP Program • Create procedure to apply environmental criteria • Train staff and disseminate information • Hold regular environmental training on EPP guidelines • Provide appropriate information support • Integrate environmental aspects of purchasing documents • Communicate EPP needs to suppliers

Implementing an EPP Program • Create procedure to apply environmental criteria • Train staff and disseminate information • Integrate environmental aspects of purchasing documents • Review legal instruments • Modify bidding process/standard specifications & add lifecycle costing (if legally feasible) • Communicate EPP needs to suppliers

Implementing an EPP Program • Create procedure to apply environmental criteria • Train staff and disseminate information • Integrate environmental aspects of purchasing documents • Communicate EPP needs to suppliers/vendors • Establish clear lines of communication • Ask suppliers for information and suggestions

Experience Industry is changing quickly Ink cartridges - leak Paper – jams Cups – cost too much Eco-label with single product attribute – IAQ, recycled content, biodegradability = limited perspective Validation of standards – Furniture Good product with no cert – allowable, but proof needed Perform trial tests - Often free sample Do not recreate the wheel- Reference existing standards Have the vendor do the work- product certification sheets

Environmentally Preferable Purchasing