Transcript Recycled Plastic Procurement: The Massachusetts Program

Electronics and the
Environment:
Massachusetts Green Procurement
Efforts
Eric Friedman
Director of State Sustainability
MA Executive Office of Environmental Affairs
EPEAT Workshop June 17, 2003
Talking Points
The Massachusetts Green Purchasing
Program
Environmental Computer Contract
Experience
Purchasing Needs
Alternative Procurement Tools
Assessment Tool Needs
The Green Purchasing Program
The Operational Services Division establishes
Statewide contracts for goods and services for
use by agencies and political subdivisions
Oversees annual purchases of $300 million
2 full-time dedicated environmental staff
Incorporate environmental criteria into bid
specifications
Initial focus on recycled products
Program moved to consider other
environmental criteria such as energy efficiency,
toxics, waste prevention, etc.
Why Government Purchasing?
Other Locales
Federal, state, local
governments make up 20% of
U.S. GNP
Single point of procurement
Affect markets on larger scale
Larger environmental impact
Use as broader educational tool
Lead by example
King County
Santa Monica
Minnesota
Vermont
Connecticut
Pennsylvania
Seattle
Feds
Computer Env. Considerations
Part of existing program to consider
EPPs
Computers a growing problem for solid
waste and hazardous materials
management
Costly to dispose of
Minimize liability and responsibility
Mass. CRT waste ban
Others looking to state leadership
The Computer Contract
contract written 1999/up for rebid 2003
require energy star compliance
multiple desirable criteria including:
reduced toxic materials (cadmium, mercury, chlorinated
solvents, CFCs and HCFCs, etc.)
take-back program
design for recycling and/or upgradability
recycled content in plastic housing or other parts
recycled content in CRT glass
recycled and/or source reduced packaging
other broad-based environmental initiatives
Computer Evaluation Criteria
100 points for
environmental
responses
approximately
15% of total
points
Toxic Constituents
Recycled Content
Take Back Provisions
Packaging
Upgradability
Design for Recycling
Worker Health & Safety
3rd Party Certification
Other Environmental Issues
Lessons Learned
Re-sellers did not take specs seriously and
did not contact OEMs
OEMs are working on issues but not
equally
Varying levels of detail provided in
responses
There are some models which meet some
of the criteria
Need to do more outreach to OEMs about
concerns
Difficult to influence global market from
one state bid
Purchasing Issues
Meet the needs of varied and demanding
users
Encompass numerous issues
Cost
Performance
Training
Delivery
Write contracts quickly
Not environmental experts nor is
environment necessarily a priority
Alternative Procurement Tools
1. Flexible criteria with points
system
e.g. LEED building rating system
from USGBC
2. Third party standards
e.g. GreenSeal cleaners
Procurement Tools-Advantages
LEED Rating System
Flexible with some mandatory
criteria
Points allocated in varied
categories
Varying levels of designation
(platinum, gold, silver, regular)
Coordinated by national
organization
Widely accepted
GreenSeal Standards
List of mandatory criteria –
pass/fail
Standards developed by 3rd
party certifier with no stake in
outcome
Back-up documentation
Certification offered to simplify
approval process
Becoming more widely
accepted
Procurement Assessment Tool Needs
Create one set of information across jurisdictions
Establish simple, straightforward guidelines and/or
minimum criteria
Justify established priorities
Keep it simple for users and industry
Create wide availability of product
Eliminate complicated evaluation processes
Developed by respected organization or coalition