Earthenterprise Tool Kit - International Institute for Sustainable ...

EarthEnterprise Tool Kit
TOOL
TOOL
Understand Federal Government Purchasing Programs
As the major operator of hospitals, s c h o o l s , o f f i c e s , p r i s o n s , and other
institutions, local, state and federal governments in the United States make
purchases that comprise about 18 percent of the gross national product and
total almost a trillion dollars annually.
Between 1983 and 1989, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency issued
procurement guidelines for recycled paper, re-refined motor oil, insulation
made from secondary materials, cement and concrete containing fly ash, and
retreaded tires. In April 1994, EPA proposed to designate 21 additional items,
including construction and landscaping products, fleet products, and office
products.
A fall 1993 Executive Order on Federal Acquisition, Recycling, and Waste
Reduction is likely to have a major impact on the federal government’s
purchase of printing, copying, writing, and computer paper. By December 31,
1994, the federal government must purchase paper with a minimum content of
20 percent post-consumer waste material. By the end of 1998, these papers
must have 30 percent post-consumer content. Although the federa l
government purchases only a few percent of the nation’s paper, the standard
will likely become the industry norm by 1995.
The General Services Administration (GSA), the author of massive U.S.
government purchasing catalogues, is now starting to identify and highlight
such env i ronmentally improved products as re cycled paper and energ y -
efficient lighting systems. GSA publishes the Environmental Products Guide
1994 referenced on page 125 in the directories.
Tips To Green Your Own Suppliers
• Get top management’s support. This will put teeth into any policy you try
to impose on other companies.
• Put the policy in writing. Send it to the CEO, VP for sales or marketing, or
other top executive who can implement the policy.
• Let money talk. Promote the program on the basis of cost savings,
efficiency, and market advantage.
• Make a presentation. Show costs, benefits, and laws applying to both your
and the supplier’s operations.The more homework you’ve done, the better
the case you can make.
• Request a response within a given amount of time. Allow the supplier to
implement the plan over a generous period. But don’t let them put you off
for long.
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INTERNATIONAL INSTITUTE FOR SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT