Environmentally Preferable Procurement. What is EPP? Environmentally preferable products are goods and services that have a lesser or reduced effect on.

Environmentally Preferable Procurement

What is EPP?

• Environmentally preferable products are goods and services that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with other products that serve the same purpose. - US Environmental Protection Agency

MMD and MPCA Partnership

• Work together to create environmentally preferable, cost-competitive State contracts

• Founding Members of the Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council

Why focus on government procurement?

• Government spending accounts for >15% of the nation’s Gross Domestic Product

Potential to drive the market toward more sustainable products

Significant reduction in environmental and human health impacts

Lead by Example

Procurement can factor in the entire life cycle of a product

Purchasing accounts for >40% of US greenhouse gas emissions

Purpose of this training

• Review EPP mandates and the existing State contracts developed to help you meet them

• Learn about ways to develop your own environmentally preferable contracts

EPP Mandates & Contracts

EPP Mandates –Federal

• Executive Order 13514: requires use of EPP to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and advance the government’s sustainability goals

• Executive Order 13423: requires use of sustainable acquisition practices

EPP Mandates - State

• Statutes– M.S. 16B.122: Use of recycled-content paper and

environmentally preferable printing practices– M.S. 16B.121: Purchase less toxic, durable,

reusable, recyclable products– M.S. 325E.387: Contracts for equipment and

supplies must offer PBDE-free products– M.S. 116.201: State agencies must not purchase

undiluted coal tar sealant

EPP Mandates – State

• Executive Order 11-13 designed to drive cost savings and reduce energy

use and the environmental impacts of State government

requires the establishment of sustainability goals and the creation of sustainability plans, including EPP targets

includes a section on increasing the purchase of environmentally preferable goods and services

Recycled paper

• State agencies must purchase paper with a minimum 10% postconsumer recycled content (M.S. 16B.122)

• At least 93% of State agency paper purchases should contain a minimum 30% postconsumer recycled content (EO 11-13)

• MMD has adopted the EPA Federal guidelines for paper and recommends purchasing paper with a minimum 30% postconsumer recycled content

Printing

• Environmentally preferable printing practices established in M.S. 16B.122:– print on both sides– use non-varnished, uncoated paper labeled

“processed chlorine-free”– use white or pastel paper– use reusable bindings or staples (avoid glue)– use vegetable-based inks

Less Toxic, Durable, Reusable, Recycled Products

• Purchase products that are less toxic, less wasteful, durable, reusable, and/or recyclable (M.S. 16B.121)

Price preference for recycled content

• Must purchase products containing recycled-content if the price does not exceed the price of non-recycled products by more than 10% (M.S. 16B.121)

Executive Order 11-13

Remanufactured, refurbished, reused products on State contract

• O-86 (5) – remanufactured toner cartridges

• F-464 (5) – refurbished systems furniture

• State Surplus Store – office supplies and furniture, medical supplies and equipment, clothing, vehicles, machine tools, hardware and electrical supplies

Recycled products on State contract

• O-86 (5) – recycled paper in various colors and sizes (small quantity orders), recycled-content office supplies (i.e. folders, post-its, pens, etc.)

• P-942 (5) – recycled paper (bulk orders)

• P-661 (5) – paper towels and toilet paper

• C-432 (5) – carpet and flooring

Less toxic products on State contract

• C-252 (5) – cleaning products• C-983 (5) – dish and laundry cleaning

compounds• L-290 (5) – low-mercury fluorescent lamps

Energy efficient products on State contract

• C-1005 (5) – Energy Star qualified multifunction devices

• MN.IT Standard Products – all computers are EPEAT-registered

Compostable products on State contract

• B-351 (5) – compostable plastic bags in various sizes

• F-535 (5) – compostable utensils, plates, bowls, cups

Tips for creating an EPP contract

Consider life-cycle costs

• Will you save on maintenance, replacement, or disposal costs?

• Will you save on energy costs?

Rely on reputable ecolabels, standards, and certifications

• MMD has specified several ecolabels, standards, and certifications

• Before specifying one of these, double-check the availability of products that meet the specification

• Avoid “green washing”

Include specifications in RFB

• Consider including specifications for green products in the RFB

Avoid over-specification

• Specifying the function (vs. a specific product) allows for innovative, potentially cost-saving approaches

Consider “choice editing”

• Allow purchasers to select catalog items that meet EPP criteria

Require informative reports

• Allows you to quantify the impacts of your work

• Saves you time – you won’t have to gather the information on your own!

Web resources

• MMD’s website: www.mmd.admin.state.mn.us/envir.htm

• MPCA’s EPP website: www.pca.state.mn.us/epp

Contact MPCA’s EPP Program with any questions!

Johanna Kerteszjohanna.kertesz@state.mn.us

(651) 757-2489