ENVIRONMENTALLY PREFERABLE PURCHASING: • Reduces costs and improves the workplace environment. • Strengthens markets for recyclable materials, which benefits the City’s recycling program. • Promotes use of less-toxic products that protect the health and safety of workers and minimize harmful emissions to air and water. • Saves energy by promoting the purchase of energy-conserving appliances, equipment, and fixtures.

Green or Environmentally Preferable Purchasing

Anyone who purchases goods and services for their workplace can save money, cut waste, and boost recycling efforts through green or environmentally preferable purchasing (EPP). EPP emphasizes products that are reusable, less toxic, energy efficient, and manufactured with recycled material.

Historically, NYC Agency procurement has focused on identifying the lowest priced material or equipment that meets the Agency’s performance standards. Many of a product’s hidden costs (such as City waste management costs) are not factored into purchasing decisions. Since Agency purchasing personnel often lack the time and resources to perform the product evaluation and life-span analysis needed for environmentally preferable purchasing, the NYC Department of Sanitation created the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) Guide to help City Agencies implement EPP practices.

Please Note: While this guide is still a useful tool for City Agencies, it does not include information on City Agency green purchasing requirements that went into effect January 2007.

Although created for City Agencies, the Guide contains many practical guidelines and resources that can be applied to non-government procurement settings. See what’s in the EPP Guide.

NOTE: The EPP Guide is a PDF (Portable Document Format) document; you’ll need the free Adobe Acrobat Reader to display and print it.

For information on the laws promoting EPP, visit laws and directives.

See our tips for your agency to identify areas and products that provide EPP opportunities. For additional links that contain EPP information and success stories, go to resources.

WHAT’S IN THE EPP GUIDE

The interactive, PDF version of the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) Guide contains the following sections to assist City Agencies in establishing an EPP agenda:

• Section 1 offers information on the status of waste management and waste prevention requirements in New York City.

• Section 2 defines environmentally preferable purchasing and describes the regulatory requirements that apply to New York City Agencies.

• Sections 3 through 6 describe options for environmentally preferable purchasing, including buying waste-preventing products, recycled-content products, less-toxic products, and energy-efficient products.

• Section 7 provides guidance on developing an Agency Environmentally Preferable Purchasing policy.

• Section 8 explains how to develop bids for environmentally preferable products and services.

• Section 9 explains how to monitor and track your Agency’s progress.

• Section 10 provides a list of additional resources to support efforts to implement an Agency Environmentally Preferable Purchasing program.

• To help you implement an EPP program, Sections 2 through 9 contain easy-to-use checklists that provide a synopsis of the main points covered in each section.

back to top