Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) Resources by Project Area - General EPP Resources

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General Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) Resources

Federal Government | State and Local Government | Other

Federal Government Resources

EPA's Environmentally Preferable Purchasing web site contains numerous resources, including a searchable EPP database, which makes it easier to purchase products and services with reduced environmental impacts. There is also a Promising Practices Guide, an online source for green purchasing tips, strategies, and success stories, and the multimedia EPP Training Tool, where users are able to watch, listen, and learn as EPP is explained with audio narration and animated graphics. Additionally, background information on EPP is available, such as the Executive Orders outlining EPP and EPA's Final Guidance on EPP. Numerous publications are also available, including fact sheets, case studies, and issues of EPP Update, a biannual newsletter.


EPA's Energy Star Program is a voluntary program that promotes energy efficient products by labeling with the Energy Star logo and educating consumers about the unique benefits of energy efficient products. The Web site contains fact sheets, publications, product specifications, and lists of manufacturers and partners.


EPA's Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines program is part of EPA's continuing effort to promote the use of materials recovered form solid waste. The Web site contains detailed information on various recycled-content products and manufacturers as well as fact sheets, buy recycled news, and links to additional resources.


The Office of the Federal Environmental Executive serves to enforce Presidential Executive Order 13101, which is designed to further expand and strengthen the Federal government's commitment to recycling, buying recycled content, and environmentally preferable products. The Web site contains various reports and resources.

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State and Local Government Resources

King County, Washington has one of the most well-established EPP Programs in the United States. Its Web site contains numerous EPP resources, including a model policy, contract language, detailed outlines of experience with several products, EP Bulletins, and links to various EPP resources.


The Commonwealth of Massachusetts hosts a comprehensive EPP Web site that includes valuable resources for procurement officials. The site contains detailed information on an extensive list of products, including specifications and fact sheets, as well as a thorough list of links to various EPP-related Web sites.


Minnesota's Environmental Purchasing Web site contains a unique searchable directory of recycled-content products made in Minnesota, as well as a list of model EPP programs in various local governments and states.

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Other Resources

The National Association of Counties' (NACo) Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Starter Kit contains numerous resources to facilitate the implementation of EPP practices. The kit contains an overview of greening procurement, four case studies, a comprehensive list of resources, a sample environmental purchasing resolution, a baseline survey, and a model press release. The kit can be ordered by calling NaCo's publications department at 202-942-4256.


Green Seal is an independent, nonprofit organization dedicated to protecting the environment by promoting the manufacture and sale of environmentally responsible consumer products, such as cleaners, paint, and office equipment. It sets environmental standards and awards a "Green Seal of Approval" to products that cause less harm to the environment than other similar products.


Scientific Certification Systems is a neutral, third-party testing and certification organization evaluating a wide variety of environmental claims in various product areas, including cleaning products, building materials, and office supplies. The Web site contains a description of their standards and a list of all certified products.


The Environmentally Preferable Products Procurement Listserve (EPPNet) was established by the Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) to link federal, state, local, and private procurement and environmental officials charged with purchasing environmentally preferable products and developing policies for the procurement of these products. The EPPNet is intended to provide quick access to information such as: availability of product specifications, lists of vendors for particular products, pricing information, strategies to achieve environmentally preferable procurement goals, and federal procurement policies.

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