What is “Green” Purchasing?
Both Congress and the President directed Federal agencies to be good stewards of the environment by conserving energy and other precious natural resources. One way that we can be good stewards is to buy products and services that conserve resources. This is generally referred to as “green” purchasing. “Green” purchasing encompasses the following mandatory components such as recycled content products, also known as Comprehensive Procurement Guideline (CPG).
GPG Items include: • Energy Star and energy-efficient products; standby power devices
• Alternative fuel vehicles/alternative fuels
• Biobased products
• Non-ozone depleting substances
As well as a voluntary component…
• Environmentally preferable products (EPP).
An Affirmative Procurement Plan (APP) is an agency’s plan for buying CPG items. VA’s APP (Directive and Handbook 0052) also addresses the purchasing of Energy Star, biobased, and other green products.
Where Can I Learn More?
To learn more about the VA and Federal-wide “green” purchasing program, visit:
OA&MM, Environmental Affairs-Greening VA http://www.va.gov/oamm/recycle
Office of the Federal Environmental Executive http://www.va.gov/ofee.gov/gp/gp.htm
Recieve On-line Green Purchasing Training http://www.golearn.gov (Course ID OPM 008)
U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) EPA and Department of Energy (DOE)3 U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA)
Why Buy “Green”?
The Federal government spends more than $200 billion on goods and services each year. The “green” purchasing program minimizes negative environmental effects through the use of environmentally friendly products.
Buying green helps to:
• Conserve natural resources and minimize
our environmental “footprint”
• Improve worker safety and health
• Reduce Federal energy use, greenhouse gas
emissions, and waste to landfills
• Stimulate new markets and create jobs
• Reduce liabilities
• Provide potential cost savings $$$
It also is…
• The law and national policy; increasingly
easier to do; and, it closes the loop on the
recycling process.
Who is Required to Buy
“Green”?
The “green” purchasing requirements apply to all Federal agencies and their contractors. The requirements pertain to simplified acquisitions and large purchases, as well as to both direct purchases of products and to support services contracts. These requirements also apply to Federal purchase cardholders and to micro-purchases. VA is committed to being a good steward of the environment.
How Do Your Purchases
Impact the Environment?
Do you purchase, contract, or initiate a request for goods or services that include…
• Paper or non-paper office products?
• Computers or other electronic equipment?
• Batteries?
• Appliances?
• Awards or plaques?
• Signs?
• Paint?
• Light bulbs?
• Vehicles, gasoline, oil, or tires?
• Park benches or picnic tables?
• Janitorial supplies or services?
• Landscaping products or services?
• Construction products or services?
Your purchases could impact the environment by…
• Containing hazardous or toxic chemicals that,
if spilled or released, could pollute the air, soil, or groundwater
• Depleting the availability of natural resources
if virgin or raw materials are constantly used
• Creating more waste in landfills that could
pollute the soil and groundwater Work to…
• Ensure awareness of “green” purchasing requirements at all levels
• Substitute “green” products
• Use recycled paper and recycled content
office products
• Buy Energy Star and energy- and water efficient products
• Find alternatives for products with excessive
packaging or those that contain or produce
hazardous or toxic chemicals
• Consider the entire life cycle of the product
Always think “green” at the start of the
acquisition process.
| 
