Why Buy Environmentally Preferable Products and Services?

EP products and services have numerous benefits:

• Save money (upfront costs and/or life-cycle costs)
• Reduce toxins entering the environment
• Reduce human exposure to toxins
• Reduce the amount of natural resources needed to fulfill product or service requirements
• Reduce air, water, and land pollution
• Build consumer markets for safer, less-polluting products and services
• Promote safer work environments (manufacturing sites, end-users, and recyclers)

How Do I Buy/Specify Environmentally Preferable Products?

• EASY/NOVICE: Buy “green” off of existing cooperative contracts
• EASY/NOVICE: Utilize existing “green” specifications from other agencies
• EASY/NOVICE: Utilize existing “green” product & service standards (eco-labels, “best practice” standards)
• SOME EXPERTISE REQUIRED: Review “green” product research by non-profit organizations, schools, and manufacturers and develop your own EPP specification
• SOME ADDITIONAL MONEY LIKELY REQUIRED: Work with a green procurement consultant to develop specifications for a particular product/service area