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“Hold a Mirror Up to Nature” Greening Your Organization Through Green Purchasing Actions Georgiana Ball – Va. Dept. of General Services VAGP Spring Conference 2009 Staunton, Virginia Sustainability/ Greening your Organization “Suit the action to the word, the word to the action” Hamlet Overview What is Green Procurement Government Policy & Initiatives Examples of Products & Services Strategies Resources Going Green Is a Process….. What is Green Procurement or Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP)? Definition of Green Procurement (EPP) Products and services that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with competing products or services that serve the same purpose. and……. Definition of Green Procurement (EPP) This comparison may consider: raw materials acquisition production & manufacturing, packaging & distribution reuse operation & maintenance disposal of the product or service.” From Federal Executive Order 13101, Greening the Government, September 16, 1998. Another way of looking at EPP – types of attributes: Product-specific attributes Process-specific attributes Manufacturer-specific attributes Product-Specific Attributes Recycled Content Energy & Water Efficiency Made from Renewable Resources Packaging Upgradeable Bio-based Low toxicity Durability Process-Specific Attributes Transportation: -Amount & Type of Fuel used – -Type of Vehicle -Pollution Origin: Local, U.S., Import? Manufacturer-Specific Attributes Lack of environmental violations Credible Environmental Management System Public environmental/social reporting procedures Mechanism for engaging stakeholders Growing Emphasis on Green Greater environmental impact emphasis related to procurement Stewardship role of institutions Procurement policies / directives Growing Emphasis on Green What is our Environmental Footprint? --Measuring impacts- Use of Resources & Energy Pollution generated: Climate Change, Toxics, Air, Water and Soil Quality Public Sector Policy & Initiatives Governor’s Executive Orders Governor’s Management Objectives Code of Virginia APSPM Agency Environmental Policies Environmental Management Systems Challenges New products and technologies How to measure impacts Greenwashing How to integrate into procurement Products & Services News Flash!!!!! NIGP Codes will begin to recognize green product categories: First group: 436, 486, and 631 (they relate to their counterparts— 435, 485 and 630) Products & Services NIGP “Green Codes”: 436: Germicides, Cleaners for health care personnel * 486: Janitorial supplies, general line* 631: Paint, protective coatings, varnish, wallpaper* *Environmentally certified by an agency accepted certification entity Products and Services Use 3rd Party Certification to simplify process of product validation: Green Seal ePeat Eco-logo Forest Stewardship Council Energy-Star Compliant Product & Service Areas: Office Supplies and Equipment Paper and Printing Carpeting Roofing Materials Traffic Control Equipment Vehicles and Fuels Lighting Product & Service Areas: Paints Pesticides Energy Star Appliances & Equipment Compostable Materials Cleaning Services Energy Management Vehicle Maintenance Strategies Identify areas of focus Do a little research Set goals or targets Discuss efforts with users Strategies Discuss interest with vendors Consider using “Best Value” procurement method Write good spec’s Include section on environmental attributes as part of your standard contract language Resources Govpro.com – good articles on a variety of green products as well as case studies Environmental Protection Agency (EPA): EPP, Recycled-Content Products, ePeat, WaterSense: www.epa.gov Energy Star – www.energy.govDOE Federal Energy Mgmt Program (FEMP) Resources, continued Office of the Federal Environmental Executive: www.ofee.gov spreadsheet for product categories & content info Federal Trade Commission – Environmental Marketing Guidelines DOE’s Alternative Fuels and Advanced Vehicles Data Center: www.biopreferred.gov/DesignationItemList.aspx Sustainability and Green Procurement Landscape A value-added component of products and services used New product and service offerings will develop Will increase in scope and depth Watch out for “greenwashing” and make it clear it is unacceptable