Public Health and Environment
Green Purchasing: Environmentally Preferable Purchasing & Practices
What is environmentally preferable purchasing (EPP)?
Environmentally preferable goods and services are those that have a lesser or reduced goods and services that serve the same purpose.
Questions to ask before purchasing a product include:
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Is the product less hazardous?
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Is it reusable or more durable?
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Is it made from recycled materials? Is a product with recycled content available that performs just as well?
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What happens to the product at the end of its life?
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Can it be recycled?
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Will the manufacturer take the product back?
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Will it need special disposal?
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Does it conserve energy or water?
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Is it made from plant-based raw materials?
What are the benefits of environmentally preferable purchasing?
The purchase and use of environmentally preferable products can have a large impact – and not just on the environment. From worker safety to budget savings, environmentally preferable purchasing has a number of additional tangible benefits:
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Buying less-hazardous products can reduce regulatory liability, improve worker safety, and lower disposal costs.
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Using energy-efficient and water-conserving products can save money.
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Products that are reusable, refillable, more durable, or repairable create less waste and are more cost-effective in the long run than disposable or single-use products.
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Buying recycled products supports our home and workplace recycling programs going and saves natural resources.
State and Federal laws support environmentally preferable purchasing
There are a number of federal and state laws that support or require environmentally preferable purchasing by the public sector. Government can lead by example in purchasing products and services and help foster more environmentally preferable options in the marketplace.
Federal Executive Order 13423
sets goals in the areas of energy efficiency, acquisition, renewable energy, toxics reductions, recycling, renewable energy, sustainable buildings, electronics stewardship, fleets, and water conservation. In addition the order requires more widespread use of Environmental Management Systems as the framework in which to manage and continually improve these sustainable practices.
Minnesota Executive Order 99-4
directs state agencies to eliminate damage to the environment by preventing pollution at its source of generation.
Minnesota Statutes
Green Purchasing Resources
Washington County Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) Resolution
(PDF)
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