G REEN P URCHASING F OR T OXICS REDUCTION AT THE C ITY OF P ORTLAND Stacey Foreman, City of Portland, Oregon

Background  Variety of City sustainability policies including:  Sustainable Procurement Policy  Toxics Reduction Strategy  Healthy Purchasing Initiative  Linking “upstream” decisions to “downstream” effects:  Human health  Environmental  Fiscal

Getting Green Products  Find out who makes the decision on what to buy:  Employee with P-Card  Project manger  Specification writer (employee or contractor)  Find out how they make their decision  What resources do they need to make a green choice?  Work with vendors to make green options available, including EPR requirements  Research/Provide Resources  Track/Report: incorporate into procurement processes

Provide Resources  Staff/SMEs  Website  Networks

Incorporate into Procurement Processes  Intake forms  Prompts (SP intake form) (P-Card sleeve)

Reducing Toxics

Deciding What is “Less-Toxic”  Multi-Attribute/LCA based third-party certifications  EPEAT  EPA DfE  Precautionary Approach – alternatives assessment  Ingredient & health/environmental hazard disclosure – “Health Product Declaration” or HPD form  Hazard Avoidance/Reference Red Lists  Chemical Hazard Assessment Tools GreenScreen, Pharos

Example: Lamps (non-LED)  Potential Toxics of Concern  Lead Require RoHS compliance Require manufacturer/distributor take-back for recycling  Mercury Require RoHS compliance Choose non-mercury options (e.g. LED products) Choose low-mercury options (e.g. Philips Alto II products) Require manufacturer/distributor take-back for recycling

Example: Furniture  Potential Toxics of Concern:  Phthalates Choose non-vinyl products/components  Flame Retardants Choose options without foam padding or textiles  PFCs Choose options without textiles or without stain/water repellent treatments  Formaldehyde/VOCs Choose options that do not use formaldehyde-based binders (also: third-party indoor-air quality certifications)  Require reuse/recycling – manufacturer take back

Example: Carpet  Potential Toxics of Concern  Brominated Flame Retardants Common only in residential carpet pads Choose flooring alternatives to carpet or no carpet pads  Phthalates/PVC Non-vinyl surface fibers and backing  Antimicrobials Choose durable flooring alternatives to carpet  PFCs/Nanos Choose durable flooring alternatives to carpet  VOCs Choose third-party certified meeting CA Section  Require recycling – manufacturer take-back

Other examples - highlights  Lead-free wheel weights  Beet juice as tire counterweights  Integrated pest management  Non-dry cleaning textiles, laundry services  Mercury-free switches on industrial equipment  EPEAT-qualified office electronics  Third-party certified cleaning products, high- efficiency cleaning practices

Lessons Learned  Learn the language and decision making processes  Network, build relationships  Ensure specs can be met, use RFP evaluative criteria for cutting-edge work (or allow contractor time to meet cutting-edge requirement after contract award)  Work with vendors – utilize online & contract tools to highlight and reduce pricing on green products  Develop useful metrics  Incorporate audience’s priorities into sustainability pitch ($, image, human health, doing what is right)

Thank you!  Contact Stacey at:  BuyGreen website:  Case studies  Example green specifications, evaluative criteria