Green Procurement: Part of Your Card Holder Responsibilities Green Procurement means showing preference for products and services that benefit the environment, such as: Made with Recycled Content Biobased Environmentally Preferable Energy and Water Efficient Alternative Fuels or Vehicles Lacking in Ozone-Depleting Substances (ODS) Without EPA Priority Chemicals Green Electronics

Benefits of Green Procurement Saves energy and conserves resources Saves money Saves landfill space Reduces pollution and adverse health effects Creates markets for environmentally beneficial products Provides incentive for development of new technologies Promotes environmental stewardship and sustainability

DoD’s Green Procurement Program The DoD Green Procurement Program was established in August 2004, updated in 2008 Requires that green products and services be considered as first choice for all procurements Assigns responsibility to virtually every DoD employee; notes need for awareness training Requires implementation at organizational level where initial purchasing requirements are defined

What Requires Us to Buy Green? The Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) requires federal card holders and contracts to follow all procurement preference program requirements. Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA) requires each federal agency to have a program favoring the purchase of recycled-content products. This “Buy Recycled” program is overseen by the US Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). EOs and require federal agencies to purchase green (environmentally preferable) products The 2002 Farm Bill added biobased products to mandatory procurement programs. This ‘BioPreferred’ program is overseen by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA).

Designated Products – When purchasing these products, it is mandatory to give preference to recycled or biobased content EPA’s “Buy Recycled” Program Currently 62 designated products Example: recycled-content paper USDA’s “BioPreferred” Program Currently 42 designated items; more proposed Example: bathroom cleaners

EPA’s Buy Recycled Program consists of Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPGs) and Recovered Materials Advisory Notices (RMANs) CPGs designate the products that must contain recovered material – for example, recycled copy paper RMANs provide recommended recycled-content percentages and guidance on buying recycled- content products – for example, 30% post- consumer content Tip: Purchasers should look for the highest post- consumer content possible in the products they buy – that way our biggest waste stream is reduced through recycling!

EPA-Designated Products (CPG Items) that may be acquired by Purchase Card Paper (including copy paper, computer paper, envelopes, index cards, folders) Toner Cartridges Office products (such as binders, clipboards, portfolios, printer ribbons, plastic desktop accessories) Trash bags Awards and plaques Signs Sorbents Latex paint Antifreeze Lubricating oils Office recycling containers Office waste receptacles Sanitary tissue (including bathroom tissue, paper towels) See the EPA web site for a complete list …

USDA-Designated Items under the BioPreferred Program that may be acquired by Purchase Card  Lip care products  Hydraulic fluids  Biodegradable cutlery  Glass cleaners  Greases  Dust suppressants  Carpets  Carpet and upholstery cleaners  Adhesive and mastic removers  Hand cleaners/sanitizers  Biodegradable containers  Fertilizers  Sorbents  Graffiti and grease removers  Laundry products  Bathroom and spa cleaners  De-icers See the USDA web site for a complete list …

Exceptions According to the regulations, we must purchase designated items with recycled or biobased content, except when the product: Is available only at an unreasonable price Will not meet reasonable performance standards Is unavailable within a reasonable timeframe or at a sufficient level of competition Price Performance Availability

Other Green Products You Can Choose  Energy Efficient products qualified by ENERGY STAR or designated by the Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP) – such as light bulbs or fax machines  Products certified by reputable organizations such as EcoLogo, Chlorine Free Products Association (CFPA), Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Green Guard, Green Seal, Design for the Environment  Products with safer ingredients (substitutes for chlorine, ammonia, ozone-depleting substances, volatile organic compounds, or metals such as cadmium and lead)

Where can you find green products? Many are available in the supply system!

How do you know a product is Green? Icons/Symbols – GSA has icons indicating environmental qualities Environment Attribute Codes (For DLA purchases, click on the tree for green products) Product Labels and Certifications Search Features Green

What Should You Do? Buy Green!  Look for labels and descriptions that indicate the product has environmental or energy-saving benefits  Search for green products in catalogs and online sources  Request green products from your vendors and supply sources Follow Designated Product Requirements!  Refer to the lists of designated CPG and BioPreferred items when you are making a purchase, and make sure you buy and specify recycled and biobased products

For More Information… For Green Procurement Information, start with the FedCenter web site at Find out more information about the CPG items on the EPA web site For information about USDA’s Biobased program and the items on the BioPreferred list, visit