Module 2: Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP)

• Overview
• Reasons for Changing to EPP
• Getting Started
• Options for Action
• Advancing your program
• Resources

Getting Started: Making the Change to EPP

Eight keys to success in building a green product-purchasing program

1.  Make a statement of intent. This action establishes management support and sets priorities. If publicized, it informs and raises awareness among suppliers and employees about the objectives and conditions of the change, and of the their roles. This can be done with a revised business policy, mission, or declaration. Caution: Terminology is important! This intent can be promoted as a cost or quality program.

2.  Put someone in charge. Identifying a leader establishes accountability. A coordinator can research products and work with users.

3.  Work with departments (and suppliers) one-on-one, and set reasonable expectations and reward small accomplishments. This approach engages experts in the work that they know best. Change takes time. You can’t just say “Buy green” and expect it to happen. You can expect mistakes—learn from them. End users know what they need. Environmental-purchasing coordinators can help find products that fulfill those needs. Find and work with the internal champion. When you have changed the buying habits of one person, you’ve succeeded. Build on that and go to the next person. Use teams.

4.  Start where you are—ask existing suppliers for environmentally preferable products. What products are you buying for which there are recycled or low-volatile-organic compound (low-VOC) alternatives? Use measures well understood by suppliers and users alike. Have a department test and evaluate a new product. Don’t make the decision for them. Ask what products are used in areas where environmental regulations are stricter, such as California, Canada, or Europe. Verify claims of additional cost or inferior performance, as many “urban myths” exist regarding the use of environmentally friendly products or services. Emphasize teamwork with all parties.

5.  Look for products that save money and meet other performance needs. Set objectives that can be measured in meaningful terms. Easy wins include refilled toner cartridges (one-third the cost of new cartridges), tire re-treading (half the cost of new tires, and the subject of many urban myths), energy-efficient products (as a rule of thumb: new equipment will generally save enough in operating cost over existing energy-consuming equipment greater than 10 years old to pay for itself). Use measures such as materials/unit of production to verify savings and measure improvements.

6.  Test the new products over a few months to assess efficiency, quality, and user friendliness. Compare new products to conventional equivalents. Remember that purchasing should also depend on availability and other performance attributes.

7.  Network and share information. Learn from others, and share your successes, even though they may seem small. King County’s environmental-purchasing program has a Web site and distributes e-mail bulletins to keep in touch with county departments and other jurisdictions. Encourage program staff to subscribe to listservs and join national organizations.

8.  Collect data and publicize. Publishing information that demonstrates reduced costs, improved efficiency, increased market response, or enhanced environmental performance promotes accountability and information sharing. Communicate internally and with suppliers using email, newsletters, and periodic meetings.