Westchester Action Plan, 2008 - Westchester County Government

Government:
Green Purchasing Opportunities
• Continue to develop guidelines and associated bid specifications for procurement of
environmentally preferable products and services, including maintenance of buildings and
grounds, cleaning products, building materials, furnishings, flooring, wood products,
machinery, paints and stains, food, food containers and utensils, paper, playing surfaces and
equipment, utility poles, and plastic alternatives.
• Develop a free bulky item reuse and recycling drop off and/or collection program. Create
partnerships with existing non-profit reuse facilities.
• Encourage farmers markets.
Business:
• Reduce the manufacture, purchase and use of hazardous materials and products.
• Develop and offer green products and services.
All Sectors:
• Buy third party certified green products and services. Check the credibility of seals and
certifications against the Consumer Reports Greener Choices website xxv .
• Buy sustainable wood products certified by organizations such as the Forest Stewardship
Council xxvi or Sustainable Forest Initiative xxvii , or engineered wood made from
recycled newsprint, straw, wood chips or bamboo.
• Buy sustainable building products and furnishings.
• Buy nontoxic paints and finishes.
• Buy bio-based nontoxic cleaning products.
• Reduce the purchase and use of PVC plastics and encourage purchase and use of safe
alternatives.
• Buy formaldehyde-free building materials and paints, stains, adhesives, fabrics, wall coverings,
carpeting and other materials with low or no volatile organic compounds.
• Buy energy efficient appliances. See Energy for additional information.
• Buy energy efficient electronic equipment including computer equipment xxviii and information
technology. See Energy for additional information.
• Buy products with recycled content such as paper or toner.
• Use integrated pest management policy with a preference for organic pest management xxix
for structural and landscaping applications.
• Buy local organic food and locally manufactured products.
• Replace bottled water with tap water.
Attachment 9: Waste Reduction, Recycling and Green Procurement
Westchester Action Plan, 2008 9-14