Green Purchasing Panel

• Lisa Bradley - Contracting Officer, Central Purchasing, Oklahoma

• Carolyn O’Donnell - MMCAP Marketing Manager, Minnesota

• Monica Wilkes – NASPO Honorary Member

NASPO GREEN PURCHASING COMMITTEE MISSION STATEMENT

• Identify and share best practices in environmentally preferable (green) purchasing.

• Maintain a resource guide for states and policymakers on standards, product specifications and policies in developing green purchasing programs.

• Assist in implementing various green initiatives (commitments) into state contracts.

Why states must comply

Executive Orders Legislation Administrative Rules

Regulations State Policy

Right Thing to Do

Committee’s Goals

1. Continue work with resources such as the Responsible Purchasing Network (RPN) and Green Products Roundtable (GPR)

2. Compile a list of upcoming NASPO/Regional Cooperative solicitations for 2012

3. Compile a list of targeted NASPO/Regional awards where we can help identify and promote green products, using RPN or other resources

4. Recommend inclusion of “green accomplishments” in award/recognition criteria (including, but not limited to, the Achievement of Excellence in Procurement (AEP) Award)

Responsible Purchasing Network (RPN)

• Pilot Program• International network of buyers dedicated to socially

responsible and environmentally sustainable purchasing. • Provide consulting services for institutional purchasers

with cutting edge procurement tools and resources designed to save money, conserve resources, reduce waste, and improve efficiency

http://www.responsiblepurchasing.org/

Green Products Roundtable (GPR)

• Mission is to advance product sustainability by providing leadership and guidance to improve the decision-making capabilities of product manufacturers, institutional buyers, businesses, and consumers.

• Members include representatives from retailers, manufacturers, purchasers, local, state, and federal government, certifiers, and nonprofit organizations.

• Attempt to standardize green standards.http://www.keystone.org/spp/environment/GPR/Project-

Page

Goal 1

a. Technical assistance program to statesb. Develop state “green” profilesc. Review and provide input to the NASPO Green Purchasing

Guide and website and compile fact sheets to promote green products from cooperative (WSCA) contracts

d. Prioritize list of green purchasing related webinars offered by RPN

e. Include RPN on the webinars conducted by lead states on newly awarded NASPO/Regional contracts to discuss the green aspects

f. Provide purchasing guides newsletters g. Work with the Green Products Roundtable

NASPO and states working together

• Model specifications• Bid evaluation criteria• Green contract language• Best practices• Fact sheets • Calculators• EPP Program - environmentally preferable purchasing• Progress Reports

Goal 2Compile a list of targeted NASPO/Regional Cooperative

Solicitations for 2012 a. Identify which to target for early review of potential green

opportunities b. Incorporate EPP analysis into the RFP process

requirements for developing NASPO/Regional Cooperative Contracts

Prioritize Targeting of Green Contracting Opportunities

• Target solicitations with biggest opportunity for impact• Measure opportunities regarding sustainability attributes

Green Advantage in Bid Evaluations• Environmental considerations count (Best Value vs. Low Bid)• Points for green initiatives

Bids Include Green Requirements - Certifications Referenced

“Products/services purchased under this contract must be ___________________ certified or provide demonstrable proof of meeting the ________________________ standard and certification requirements. The __________________ standard and certification requirements are available at <_______________________>.”

State contracts can initiate market transformation

to get better products while providing a competitive marketplace

Goal 2

Sustainability Attributes:Green Product Attributes

• Recycled content and Recyclability• Energy conservation / Renewable energy use • Fuel conservation / alternative fuel use• Human health, animal health• Bio-based alternatives / compostable• Toxicity reduction• Reduced CO2 emissions

• Waste reduction

Sustainability Attributes:Green Product Attributes

• Environmental quality, indoor and outdoor• Reclaimed content• Local sourcing / regionally produced• Rapidly renewable materials• Responsibly harvested• Water conservation

Sustainability Attributes:Vendor Practices

Including Processes, Transport, Supply Chain, Buildings, Products, Packaging

Four Categories for companies to measure and manage their environmental impact• Energy & Climate• Material Efficiency• Natural Resources• People and Community

Contract Categories for Sustainability

WorkplaceComputers & office electronics, Toner cartridges, Paper (Office & Janitorial), Office supplies, Printing and mailing, Plastic bags and liners, Janitorial products,

ServicesFood services, Pest management, Travel and lodging, Recycling services, Waste hauling services

Construction and CommoditiesBuilding materials, Industrial Supplies, Furniture, Building controls (lighting/thermal), Lighting, Carpet, Paint/adhesives/sealants, Landscaping, Electricity, Drinking water, Plumbing, Kitchen & Laundry equipment

TransportationSnow removal and road treatment, Road construction, TiresFleet vehicles and maintenance

Goal 3

• Compile a list of targeted NASPO/Regional awards where we can help identify and promote green products, using RPN or other resources.

• This is in relationship with the opportunity to also target current and future solicitations.

Green Contract Management

• Most NASPO / Regional contracts have specific details regarding reporting requirements.

• This may vary with each award, and may also allow the awarded suppliers to supply different reporting information.

Reporting Examples

Data Fields to include for reporting:• Description – Brand – Category• Green Certification – Attributes• Quantity – Total Dollars Spent• Percentage of Total Green Contract Purchases• In 2011, 6.3% of total spend was green

Green Alternatives Available

Reports may identify opportunities, by agency, where green alternatives were available, but not used. Information is then communicated to management.

• Green Alternative – Item Number – Certification – Attribute – Quantity

• Total quantity purchased in 2011 which did have alternatives – 8710 items

• Total dollar amount $150,194.50

Green Contract Management

• Now that I have been awarded a contract which has environmental advantages, how do I best promote and market my products?

• What differentiates my company and products from other awarded suppliers?

Green Contract Management• To promote your green product, know your facts and

statistics.

• Lay out the benefits. Does it reduce waste? Does it conserve energy? Outline the objective of your green product to explain how it is better for the environment.

• Prove Your Claims. All your marketing efforts must go the extra mile to provide verification of your green claims.

Green Contract Management

Successful Strategies:• Educational Opportunities – An excellent way to reach your

customer base, provide personal recognition, and discuss any future trends. Invite the manufacturer to assist in technical developments.

• Work with area utility companies. Knowledge of the local end-user utility rates and current rebate programs will show that your product line does have benefits.

Goal 4

• Work to integrate green accomplishments in public procurement award criteria for recognitions such as Achievement of Excellence in Procurement - AEP

Summary

How can vendors better position to market and identify their products to help agencies meet their green purchasing requirements and green criteria?

• Provide lists of green product offerings sorted by green certifications and labels.

• Communicate with entity to determine the emphasis their state has on identifying green.

• Demonstrate how your products meet their needs.

Resource Guide of Green Certifications or Labels

• Energy Star in coordination with EPA and DOE uses significantly less energy (light bulbs, CFLs use 3-4 times less energy and lasts 6 times longer, LEDs, appliances, water heaters, furnaces, fans, boilers)

• Design for the Environment (DFE), US EPA certifies that products are screened to have “only those ingredients that have the least amount of concern among chemicals in their class

• USDA BioPreferred - Dept of Agriculture identifies products that meet or exceed minimum levels of bio based content,

• Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) – certifies that “biodegradable” plastic products will safely breakdown,

• Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) – carpets and adhesives with low amts of volatile organic compounds,

• Forest Stewardship Council responsible management of the world’s forests Recycled Paper,

Resources (Continued)

• NEMA Premium Efficiency – Association of Electrical and Medical Imaging Equipment Manufacturers,

• RoHs – Restriction of Hazardous Substances – restricts use of six hazardous substances in electronics – lead, mercury, cadmium, hexavalent chromium, polybrominated biophenyls BPIs, polybrominated diphenyl ether,

• Scientific Certification System (SCS)– certifies green claim or biodegradable, • Water Sense – EPA certifies and labels water efficient products shower heads,

toilets, faucets, Compliant European Standard, Greenguard – has lower concentrations of toxic chemicals)

• Ecologo Program - product meets stringent standards of environmental leadership• Green Seal - life cycle-based sustainability standards for products, services and

companies• US EPA – Environmental Protection Agency protects human health and the

environment• Green environmental attributes (made from recycled materials)- use when there

are no equivalent certified product such as inherent environmental benefits (recycling bins) or package reduction