Environmental Purchasing
City Procurement recognizes the need to be proactive in environmental stewardship and to serve as an example to all departments and other agencies in the community. By establishing a baseline for citywide purchasing of environmentally friendly or "green" products and services, City Procurement can assist in the selection of products that have a reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with competing products or services that serve the same purpose without compromising overall budgetary or performance requirements.
To accomplish this, city departments should practice Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) to specify and procure products and services with the following environmental attributes:
- recycled content;
- recyclability;
- biodegradable;
- compostable;
- reduced toxicity;
- energy efficiency;
- water efficiency;
- low volatile organic compounds (LVOCs);
- reduced packaging;
- alternate fuel capable;
- pollution prevention; and
- reusability
By including environmental considerations in purchasing decisions, the city can promote practices that improve public and employee health, conserve natural resources and reward environmentally conscious manufacturers, while remaining fiscally responsible.