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Sustainable Purchasing 101
OSU SC - February 28, 2011
Alicia Culver and Phillip Kobernick Responsible Purchasing Network
www.ResponsiblePurchasing.org
Overview • What is “greenwashing”?
• What actions can you take to prevent it?
• What strategies can you use to incorporate the use of trusted ecolabels into your sustainable purchasing policy and bid specifications?
• What other sustainable purchasing resources are available for universities?
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RPN Nonprofit, ~200 members
• States • Local governments • Federal agencies • Colleges and universities • School districts • Businesses • Non-profits
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RPN Mission “Promote and practice responsible purchasing by identifying best practices, developing effective purchasing tools, educating the market, and using our collective purchasing power to maximize environmental stewardship, protect human health, and support local and global sustainability.”
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Environmentally Preferable Goods & Services…
“…have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared to competing products and services that serve the same purpose.”
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• Just uses air. • You just need one. • $9.95
Rocket Air Blowers Replace Gas Dusters
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• Contains Refrigerant: 1,1-Difluoroethane = GHG 120X > CO2 • Some brands contain HFC 134a 1,1,1,2-Tetrafluoroethane = GHG 1300X >CO2 $5-$15/can; you need many
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EPPs are…
• Made with recycled content • Highly energy efficient • Designed to be long lasting • Recyclable or compostable • Made from renewable resources • Less toxic than conventional goods • Manufactured locally and responsibly • Fairly traded • Safely managed at the end of their life
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Why Do “Green” Purchasing?
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“Green” Purchasing Benefits Progress towards: • Climate action commitments • “Zero Waste” goals • Reducing water and air pollution • Minimizing toxic chemical exposures • Creating local “green collar” jobs • Securing green building (LEED)
credits • Life-cycle cost savings
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“Green” Purchasing Opportunities
• Commodity contracts • Service agreements • Construction projects • Purchase orders • Credit cards • E-procurement
Every purchase matters
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“Green” Claims Increasing
• Eco-safe • Environmentally friendly • Earth friendly • Earth smart • Environmentally safe • Environmentally preferable • Essentially non-toxic • Practically non-toxic
• Made with non-toxic ingredients • Degradable • Natural • Environmentally safe • CFC-free • Ozone friendly • Recyclable
Original Source: Kirsten Ritche, Gensler
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7 “Sins” of Greenwashing
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Fibbing “Non-Toxic”
No Proof “Just trust us”
Irrelevance “CFC-Free”
Hidden Trade-Off
Compostable food containers
with “Teflon” coating
Worshipping False Labels
Lesser of Two Evils Organic
cigarettes
Sin of Vagueness
“100% Natural”
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Manufacturer-created Eco-Labels
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Manufacturer-created “Green” Claims
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Retailer-created Ecolabels
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Multi-Attribute Certifications
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Single Attribute Certifications
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Support Green-certified
Businesses
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Verification of Environmental Claims
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• US DOE/EPA ENERGY STAR Program • EPEAT (green computer equipment • US EPA Design for the Environment
(DfE) Program • USDA BioPreferred • EU RoHS Directive
(Restriction of Hazardous Substances)
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Rating Systems
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Consumer Reports’ Eco-Labels Center
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Evaluate and Approve Ecolabels
City of Portland, OR Sustainable Procurement Policy
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Require Product Claims to be Verified
“Suppliers citing environmentally preferred product claims shall provide proper certification or detailed information on environmental benefits, durability and recyclable properties.” Specifically supports use of Green Seal and EPEAT University of California Policy on Sustainable Practices
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• Energy efficiency • Waste prevention (long life) • Toxicity reduction (mercury, lead) • Light quality • Recycling (“takeback”)
CA and MN adopted green lighting specs
Multi-attribute Specifications:
Green Lighting Equipment
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Multi-attribute Specifications: Green Cleaning Products
• Green Seal- or EcoLogo-certified cleaners • Asthma-safe disinfectants • Metered dilution system
(to reduce exposure and save money) • Pilot test, if possible • Training and service
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Shades of Green
How Much…
• Recycled content • Bio-based content • Mercury content (in fluorescent lamps) • Energy, fuel or water consumption
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Strategy: Block “Red Flag” Products
• Hazardous ingredients • Poor energy efficiency • Wasteful (disposable) • Unsustainable production
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• Don’t try to do it on your own. • Get top level support • Assemble a “Green Team” • Establish communication
and outreach strategies • Adopt sustainable purchasing policy
and/or administrative guidelines
See 10 Steps to Starting a Sustainable Purchasing Program on RPN website)
Strategy: Institutionalize
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Strategy: Prioritize
• Largest potential impact • Ability to meet environmental/health goals • Opportunities for change
(contracts re-bid) • Ease of implementation
(use existing specs) • Potential to save money/create local jobs
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Strategy: Cooperative Purchasing
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Strategy: Publicize “Green” Products Offered on Your Contracts
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Strategy: Direct Suppliers to…
• Add “green” products to their “core” list • Clearly label products that
meet YOUR “green” criteria • Require “greenest” products to
be listed first via online searches • Substitute (or suggest) EPPs
when conventional items ordered • Periodically report $ amount of compliant/
non-compliant purchases on your contract • Conduct training and outreach
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Alicia Culver Responsible Purchasing Network [email protected] 510.547.5475 www.responsiblepurchasing.org
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Thank You!
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RPN Resources for Colleges and Universities
Phillip Kobernick
RPN Manager
February 28, 2011
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RPN College Members • Washington University in St. Louis • University of Pennsylvania • Colorado State University • Yale University • University of Pittsburgh • 17 community colleges in Colorado
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RPN Resources • Responsible Purchasing Guides for 15 product categories
• Webinars on “green” procurement issues
• Monthly newsletter highlighting “green” purchasing activities and resources
• Sustainable purchasing policies and specifications
• Model Responsible Purchasing Report
• Calculators and other tools 36
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Contents: • Overview • Social and Environmental Issues • Best Practices • Cost, Quality, and Supply • Policies • Specifications • Standards • Definitions • Case Studies • Calculators
RPN Purchasing Guides
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Product Categories:
• Bottled Water • Carbon Offsets • Cleaners • Computers • Copy Paper • Fleet Vehicles • Fluorescent Lights • Food Services • LEDs • Graffiti Remover • Green Power • Office Machines • Paint • Toner Cartridges • Tires, Wheel Weights
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Calculators
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• RPN created calculators for: reman toners, bottled water, vehicles • Other calculators such as ENERGY STAR for electronics and appliances, EPEAT for computers, and many others…
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Calculators
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Case Studies City of Portland, OR • Saved $335,000 in electricity costs per year
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Case Studies Bottled Water Alternatives
Example of a water fountain at the University of Winnipeg that has been upgraded to include a spigot for use with reusable bottles.
Cost of Bottled Water
Cost of Drinking Fountains!
Savings over 5 Years
$655,755 (5 year contract)
$419,000 - $639,000
(Installation in year 1 and yearly
maintenance costs for 4 years)
$16,755 - $236,755
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Webinars Previous: • Purchasing for Climate Protection • RPN Trends Report • ENERGY STAR Certifications Changes Q&A • Tracking and Reporting
In the works: • Compostable Serviceware • Saving Green Guide • Purchasing for LEED • … and many more!
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University Resources
• Bottled Water Alternatives, University Edition
• AASHE STARS Fact Sheet
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Other Publications
• Purchasing for Climate Protection Factsheet
• Cooperative Contracts Factsheet • Annual Responsible Purchasing
Trends Reports • Model Responsible Purchasing
Report 48
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Responsible Purchasing Trends
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Responsible Purchasing Trends
50
45
22 21
11 1
54
24
16
5 1 0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Yes, we have a formal green
purchasing policy.
Yes, we have a green purchasing policy, but it is
informal.
No, but we are planning on adopBng one.
No, we do not have a green purchasing
policy.
I don't know if we have a green
purchasing policy.
2008 2009
Responsible purchasing policies over time Percentage of respondents
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Responsible Purchasing Trends
51
45
22 21
11 1
54
24
16
5 1 0
10
20
30
40
50
60
Yes, we have a formal green
purchasing policy.
Yes, we have a green purchasing policy, but it is
informal.
No, but we are planning on adopBng one.
No, we do not have a green purchasing
policy.
I don't know if we have a green
purchasing policy.
2008 2009
Responsible purchasing policies over time Percentage of respondents
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Model Responsible Purchasing Report
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www.facebook.com/responsiblepurchasing
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www.Twitter.com/RPN
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Thank You!
Phillip Kobernick
1201 Martin Luther King Jr Way Oakland, CA 94612
510.547.5475
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