GUIDE TO GREEN SUSTAINABLE PROCUREMENT WHAT IS GREEN

GUIDE TO GREEN SUSTAINABLE PROCUREMENT

WHAT IS GREEN PROCUREMENT Green Procurement refers to the procurement and acquisition of products and services that have a reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with competing products or services that serve the same purpose. This evaluation can consider raw materials acquisition, production, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, reuse, operation, maintenance, and disposal of the product or service. Green procurement is also known as environmentally preferred purchasing (EPP), environmentally responsible purchasing, green procurement, affirmative procurement, eco-procurement, and environmentally responsible purchasing.

WHY GREEN PROCUREMENT • • • Conserve natural resources Minimize pollution Reduce water and energy use Avoid environmental health hazards on our campus and within our community Divert material from landfills Improve the availability and use of environmentally preferable product Encourage suppliers to reduce their environmental impact and to send that message up their supply chain Support locally produced goods and services Educate and inform ourselves, campus requestors and end users, and suppliers of the best environmentally responsible procurement choices

BEFORE WE BUY • Is the available productused? Consider purchasing used or remanufactured products such as laser toner cartridges and furniture whenever practical and cost effective without compromising safety, quality or performance. • Must consider total cost of ownership!! • Does another department have a surplus of the product they are willing to share? • Does another department have the product but is not using it? • Can the existing product be economically and sustainably refurbished? • Have you considered the Redistribution of Assets Program to see if previously used furniture is available at no cost?

COST OF OWNERSHIP While many items look like they are a good price at point of purchase, take in to account a product’s total life cycle cost. Consider: • acquisition, • extended warranties, • operation, • supplies, • maintenance, • support, • disposal costs or trade-in value, • and expected lifetime compared to other alternatives.

WHEN TO BUY If a purchase is necessary, look for a product with some or all of the following characteristics. They may be relevant to your acquisition whenever practical and without compromising safety, quality, or your budget. Consider if product: • is durable and expected to last • is made in whole or in part from recycled material(s) or from a renewable resource • failure parts can be replaced, recycled or returned to the mfg for reuse or remanufacture • is energy and water efficient • is shipped securely with a minimum of packaging; all packaging is made from recycled materials and is itself 100% recyclable; or, Supplier takes back packaging for reuse