Environmentally Preferable
Procurement
What is EPP?
• Environmentally preferable products are
goods and services that have a lesser or
reduced effect on human health and the
environment when compared with other
products that serve the same purpose.
- US Environmental Protection Agency
MMD and MPCA Partnership
• Work together to create environmentally
preferable, cost-competitive State contracts
• Founding Members of the Sustainable
Purchasing Leadership Council
Why focus on government
procurement?
• Government spending accounts for >15% of
the nation’s Gross Domestic Product
 Potential to drive the market toward more sustainable
products
 Significant reduction in environmental and human
health impacts
 Lead by Example
Procurement can factor in the entire
life cycle of a product
Purchasing accounts for >40% of US
greenhouse gas emissions
Purpose of this training
• Review EPP mandates
and the existing State
contracts developed to
help you meet them
• Learn about ways to
develop your own
environmentally
preferable contracts
EPP Mandates & Contracts
EPP Mandates –Federal
• Executive Order 13514: requires use of EPP to
reduce greenhouse gas emissions and advance
the government’s sustainability goals
• Executive Order 13423: requires use of
sustainable acquisition practices
EPP Mandates - State
• Statutes
– M.S. 16B.122: Use of recycled-content paper and
environmentally preferable printing practices
– M.S. 16B.121: Purchase less toxic, durable,
reusable, recyclable products
– M.S. 325E.387: Contracts for equipment and
supplies must offer PBDE-free products
– M.S. 116.201: State agencies must not purchase
undiluted coal tar sealant
EPP Mandates – State
• Executive Order 11-13
 designed to drive cost savings and reduce energy
use and the environmental impacts of State
government
 requires the establishment of sustainability goals
and the creation of sustainability plans, including
EPP targets
 includes a section on increasing the purchase of
environmentally preferable goods and services
Recycled paper
• State agencies must purchase paper with a
minimum 10% postconsumer recycled content
(M.S. 16B.122)
• At least 93% of State agency paper purchases
should contain a minimum 30% postconsumer
recycled content (EO 11-13)
• MMD has adopted the EPA Federal guidelines for
paper and recommends purchasing paper with a
minimum 30% postconsumer recycled content
Printing
• Environmentally preferable printing practices
established in M.S. 16B.122:
– print on both sides
– use non-varnished, uncoated paper labeled
“processed chlorine-free”
– use white or pastel paper
– use reusable bindings or staples (avoid glue)
– use vegetable-based inks
Less Toxic, Durable, Reusable,
Recycled Products
• Purchase products that are less toxic, less
wasteful, durable, reusable, and/or recyclable
(M.S. 16B.121)
Price preference for recycled content
• Must purchase products containing recycledcontent if the price does not exceed the price
of non-recycled products by more than 10%
(M.S. 16B.121)
Executive Order 11-13
Remanufactured, refurbished,
reused products on State contract
• O-86 (5) – remanufactured toner
cartridges
• F-464 (5) – refurbished systems
furniture
• State Surplus Store – office
supplies and furniture, medical
supplies and equipment, clothing,
vehicles, machine tools, hardware
and electrical supplies
Recycled products on State contract
• O-86 (5) – recycled paper in various
colors and sizes (small quantity
orders), recycled-content office
supplies (i.e. folders, post-its, pens,
etc.)
• P-942 (5) – recycled paper (bulk
orders)
• P-661 (5) – paper towels and toilet
paper
• C-432 (5) – carpet and flooring
Less toxic products on State contract
• C-252 (5) – cleaning products
• C-983 (5) – dish and laundry cleaning
compounds
• L-290 (5) – low-mercury fluorescent lamps
Energy efficient products on State
contract
• C-1005 (5) – Energy Star qualified
multifunction devices
• MN.IT Standard Products – all computers are
EPEAT-registered
Compostable products on State
contract
• B-351 (5) – compostable plastic bags in
various sizes
• F-535 (5) – compostable utensils, plates,
bowls, cups
Tips for creating an EPP contract
Consider life-cycle costs
• Will you save on maintenance, replacement,
or disposal costs?
• Will you save on energy costs?
Rely on reputable ecolabels,
standards, and certifications
• MMD has specified several ecolabels,
standards, and certifications
• Before specifying one of these, double-check
the availability of products that meet the
specification
• Avoid “green washing”
Include specifications in RFB
• Consider including specifications for green
products in the RFB
Avoid over-specification
• Specifying the function (vs. a specific product)
allows for innovative, potentially cost-saving
approaches
Consider “choice editing”
• Allow purchasers to select catalog items that
meet EPP criteria
Require informative reports
• Allows you to quantify the impacts of your
work
• Saves you time – you won’t have to gather the
information on your own!
Web resources
• MMD’s website:
www.mmd.admin.state.mn.us/envir.htm
• MPCA’s EPP website:
www.pca.state.mn.us/epp
Contact MPCA’s EPP Program
with any questions!
Johanna Kertesz
johanna.kertesz@state.mn.us
(651) 757-2489