Affirmative Procurement

Affirmative Procurement	=	Buying Recycled & Bio-based* Products
* Note: If unavoidable conflict occurs, recycling content takes precedence over bio-based content.

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Introduction

Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP), often referred to as “green purchasing,“ is the affirmative selection and acquisition of products and services that most effectively minimize negative environmental impacts over their life cycle of manufacturing, transportation, use and recycling or disposal. Examples of environmentally preferable characteristics include products and services that conserve energy and water, minimize generation of waste and releases of pollutants; products made from recycled materials and that can be reused or recycled; energy from renewable resources such as biobased fuels, solar and wind power; alternate fuel vehicles; and products using alternatives to hazardous or toxic chemicals, radioactive materials and biohazardous agents.

Review the List of Products that have been designed by USEPA. If a product appears on this list, you must buy the product made from recycled materials unless it is unavailable, not cost effective, or doesn't meet quality specifications [Cost, availability, performance (CAP)].

Your justification for NOT procuring the environmentally preferable product must be documented.
No exceptions for paper, 30% post-consumer, if unavailable purchase 20%
If unavoidable conflict, recycled content takes precedence over bio-based content
Maintain written justification on file for any products not meeting specifications if cost over $2500, proposed legislation would require reporting these exceptions
Justification template

DOE's Buy Recyled Webpage is chock full of useful information and training to make buying recycled products easy.

QUESTIONS About the BNL Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Program? Contact Anna Bou (631-344-5140) of BNL Environmental & Waste Management Division.

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* Note: If unavoidable conflict occurs, recycling content takes precedence over bio-based content.

Introduction

Resources for Green Product Information.