Purchasing power
In 1998, President Bill Clinton signed an executive order, requiring federal agencies to increase their use of recycled goods and to buy more environmentally friendly products. Many local agencies are adopting similar strategies, purchasing products — such as hybrid vehicles, recycled paper and motor oil, and reusable toner cartridges — to provide services to residents while reducing environmental impact. Some, including Hennepin County, Minn.; Portland, Ore.; and Santa Monica, Calif.; have formally implemented Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) programs to guide departments’ purchasing decisions.
EPPs offer uniform standards by which to measure product attributes, such as energy efficiency, use of recycled materials, use of toxic materials and water usage. However, local governments may focus on those characteristics that will directly affect their communities. Location, climate and city size are all factors when officials consider product needs for their communities. While dry areas may be concerned with water quality, large urban areas may consider air pollution in their purchasing decisions, according to the Washington-based U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA). Although each jurisdiction might have primary environmental concerns, EPP programs encourage officials to consider all environmental effects when buying products.
Local agencies have a variety of resources to assist them when establishing their own environmental standards. The EPA recommends several ways that local governments can work together and within their own agencies to research and buy the best environmentally friendly products for their communities at a reasonable cost. For example, in 1995, Massachusetts created a “green team,” a group of experts on purchasing, the environment and products, to share information on the state’s potential purchases. Green teams also can help local officials develop specific EPP policies and standards.
Cities and counties can consult third party organizations, such as the Washington-based non-profit group Green Seal, to help establish their EPP programs. It can assist local agencies with product evaluations, manuals, recommendations and purchasing decisions. Takoma Park, Md.-based The Center for a New American Dream and New York-based INFORM, also help government agencies that want to buy green. In addition, the Washington-based National Association of Counties publishes the “Environmental Purchasing Starter Kit” for governments considering or improving their EPP programs.
Through its own EPP program, Hennepin County, Minn., has purchased 80 flexible-fuel vehicles and five hybrid units, increased its use of biodiesel and recyclable materials, and reduced office paper and packaging. The county also plans to buy items such as recycled oil, reusable spray cans and recycled material for road aggregate for more than 20 green projects currently under way.
A successful EPP program requires communication and interaction between local officials, product and environmental experts and vendors. Hennepin County, in fact, credits its EPP program success to departmental collaboration. An understanding of EPP programs — their purpose and function — is essential for healthy and responsible purchasing.
The author is the assistant editor for American City & County.
