Proposed procurement goals:
- 100% of office supplies meet US EPA's Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines for Non-Paper Office Products
- 100% of office supplies meet Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) Preferred EPP Specifications
- 100% of art and instructional school supplies meet the requirements set out in the State of Massachusetts Contract OFF45
- Require disclosure of PFAS in all products considered for purchase: Michigan Executive Directive 2021-8, Reducing State Purchases of Products Containing Intentionally Added PFAS
- Prohibit the following materials in office supplies:
- Expanded polystyrene (polystyrene foam)
- PVC
- Products with antibacterial/antimicrobial coatings
- PFAS-containing products
- Require product ingredient disclosure in all contracts
- Require contractors to identify green products in online and print catalogs, identify only those products that have been verified green, and update on a regular basis. Where possible, online catalogs should contain only green products for municipal purchase.
Case studies:
- Massachusetts: For art supplies: Identify certified AP; choose products with recycled content, without high-hazard chemicals such as lead or asbestos, ketones or xylene, acetone, phthalates, and fragrances; specify low odor or water based and fragrance-free markers. For markers: choose products that are low odor, water-based, certified AP non-toxic, conforming to ASTM D-4236, and low odor for dry erase.
- Washington, DC: For wood pencils, purchase products that contain Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood and no antimicrobial coatings.
- Alameda County, CA requires contractors to clearly identify green products in the online and print catalog and promote these products, with a preference for contract products, to County users. On an annual basis, Alameda County requires the Contractor to review and identify new green products and seek review and approval by the County to add to green product offerings to the green favorites list, filter or other user-friendly method to make them easily accessible to County users.
- Portland, Oregon’s Healthy Purchasing Initiative requests “chemical ingredient hazard disclosure of goods and materials purchased by the city including but not limited to cleaning supplies, office supplies, building products and materials, infrastructure materials.” RPN
- Kaiser Permanente reduced employee exposure to asthma and headache triggers and substantial increase in use of recycled content, and post-consumer content paper and plastic products; supported the recycling market and decreased use of virgin natural resources. Business Impact: 600 unique conventional office products substituted with environmental options; resulting in a 49 percent or $277,000 annual savings.