Securing some near-term sustainable procurement wins will help create momentum and demonstrate value. There are a variety of options for low-hanging fruit related to safer chemicals and products. Our focus is on making it as easy as possible for procurement staff to address the issue by providing ready to use contract language and specifications. A number of these example specifications also cover issues related to recycled content, energy use reduction, and zero waste goal.
HomeFree raises awareness of toxic building materials and their associated health hazards. The database can help you make informed decisions to procure less toxic building products.
Version 1, October 2015. A public procurement guide to safer products for new construction and existing buildings.
Database to find local, energy efficient products.
Getting it right from the start. A checklist for new child care providers to avoid common sources of toxic chemicals.
SF Approved, the collection of products that meet the City of San Francisco's model standards, has a database of disinfectant products that are effective at battling communicable diseases like COVID-19 and contain safe active ingredients. This site is updated regularly.
March 2020. Responsible Purchasing Network has identified cleaning and disinfecting products on the EPA's List N (a list of cleaning products that have qualified for use against COVID-19) that are safest for protecting human health and reducing toxic risks to the environment.
Oregon Metro's slides from the November 2020 webinar, Sustainable Procurement in the Time of COVID. These slides highlight how to find healthier and safer cleaners and disinfectants. Links to web sources related to these slides can be found in the Cleaning and Disinfecting Resources document.
Version 2.0, December 2016. This document provides guidance for hospitals working to meet the requirements of the Green Cleaning goal of the Healthier Hospitals Safer Chemical Challenge.
Specifications and criteria for disinfectants and sanitizers from the State of New York.
This request for quotation (RFQ) from Alameda County, CA provides example criteria and contract language for a janitorial cleaning products bid.
Maryland Department of General Services's slides from the November 2020 webinar, Sustainable Procurement in the Time of COVID. These slides highlight quantifying the benefits of sustainable procurement in terms of cost savings. Links to web sources related to these slides can be found in the Cost Savings Resources document.
These are slides from adapt.city used in the November 2020 webinar, Sustainable Procurement in the Time of COVID. These slides highlight the case study of installing LED streetlights in Ann Arbor, MI. A white paper about the streetlight program can be found here.
How Sustainable Purchasing Saves Money
A factsheet from Ecology Center on how sustainable purchasing can be cost-neutral or cost-saving.
EPEAT is a global ecolabel program for electronics. The Green Electronics Council managest the program which provides independent verification of manufacturers’ sustainability claims. The EPEAT online registry lists sustainable products from many different manufacturers. EPEAT for Purchasers has many other resources for municipal, institutional, and state purchasers.
Model Fair Trade procurement policy for city governments from Fair Trade Campaigns.
Purchasing guide for city procurement staff from Fair Trade Towns USA and RPN.
A 2017 executive order designated Houston as a Fair Trade Town with a zero-tolerance human trafficking policy in city service contracts.
In 2020, LA City Council unanimously approved a resolution to become a Fair Trade City and include Fair Trade principles in City purchasing.
GreenScreen Certified is the first ecolabel for PFAS-free firefighting foam. Products are certified at one of three levels--Bronze, Silver, or Gold--reflecting a progression towards safer products. The certification level is based on a hazard screening to identify chemicals of high concern and chemical hazard assessment scores. Certified firefighting foams can be found on the GreenScreen database.
November 2019. Environmental attributes for healthy flooring in healthcare.
December 2019. Condensed 2-page guide for environmental attributes for healthy flooring.
Resilient (hard surface) flooring technical specifications for use in invitations to bid and request for proposals created by Center for Environmental Health. The requirements in this model technical specification align with Health Care Without Harm's criteria.
Carpeting technical specifications for use in invitations to bid and request for proposals created by Center for Environmental Health. The requirements in this model technical specification align with Health Care Without Harm's criteria.
December 2019. Spreadsheet of flooring products that comply with Health Care Without Harm and Center for Environmental Health's criteria and model specifications.
This website provides lists of products that meet Healthcare Without Harm's Healthy Flooring criteria.
December 2019. Webinar from Center for Environmental Health and Health Care Without Harm about healthy carpet and resilient flooring. Slides are available here.
The Center for Environmental Health has resources for sustainable procurement of carpeting and flooring, including specifications and webinars.
Single-use food containers are often treated with chemicals known as PFAS (per and polyfluoroalkyl substances) to make them water and grease resistant. This infographic provides recommendations for PFAS-Free foodware options.
A dynamic and regularly updated database of single-use food ware products tested for fluorinated chemicals.
How to avoid fluorinated chemicals in compostable service ware.
State of New York specifications for foodservice containers and wrappers.
A purchaser's guide to safer foodware.
State of New York specifications on single-use foodware.
March 2020. This document provides guidance for institutions and suppliers wishing to meet the requirements for the Healthy interiors goals of the Healthier Hospitals Safer Chemicals Challenge.
This guide, developed by the State of MN, Clean Water Action MN, and the Center for Environmental Health, will help furniture purchasers identify healthier furniture options without the use of formaldehyde, VOCs, antimicrobials, flame retardant chemicals, PVC, or fluorinated chemicals.
A database of environmentally preferable furniture products created as part of the State of Minnesota's Participating Agreement to join the NASPO office furniture contract led by the State of Utah.
This website provides lists of products that meet Healthcare Without Harm's Healthier Hospitals critera.
The Center for Environmental Health has resources for sustainable procurement of office furniture, including webinars, reports, and specifications.
This searchable spreadsheet from the Center for Environmental Health was created to help purchasers identify safer furniture and fabrics.
New York State specifications for pest management in outdoor spaces.
New York State specifications for pest management in indoor spaces.
Sample language for a request for proposal (RFP) for an integrated pest management contract.
The actual packaging that a product comes in is important to consider as well in terms of purchasing. The State of New York has model packaging specifications to consider.
This guide contains a collection of model criteria and specifications, as well as other resources such as purchasing guides and databases. Resources are organized by product category and include a brief description and link for further information.
This website lists many different products in a diverse array of product categories that meet the City of San Francisco's model health and environmental requirements.
New York State offers many specifications that meet their environmentally preferable purchasing policy via their website.
New York State's approved sustainable procurement specifications for sustainable landscaping.
6th Edition: 2017. Principles and standards of NOFA Organic Lawn Care Program.
Fertilizers that meet the city of San Francisco's model health and environmental requirements.
