Often referred to as “green purchasing," Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP), 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 bio-based fuels, solar and wind power; alternate fuel vehicles; and products using alternatives to hazardous or toxic chemicals, radioactive materials and biohazardous agents.
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)].