Chris Geiger Solano

Green Purchasing in San Francisco: 

Green Purchasing in San Francisco Presented at U.S. Communities Workshop August 22, 2007 Chris Geiger, Ph.D., City Toxics Reduction Program San Francisco Department of the Environment

Why Green Purchasing? There is incomplete toxicity review for most chemicals!: 

Why Green Purchasing? There is incomplete toxicity review for most chemicals! 7% have complete toxicity data. 43% have NO toxicity data. [SOURCE: U.S. EPA, 1998. Chemical Hazard Data Availability Study, High Production Volume (HPV) Chemicals and SIDS Testing]

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SF’s Pilot Program (1999-2003)

SF’s Precautionary Purchasing Ordinance (2005): 

SF’s Precautionary Purchasing Ordinance (2005) City agencies only Commodity contracts only “Targeted product categories” Approved lists Waivers Training & outreach

Major players: 

Major players Cost Performance Impact Worker health Environmental City Purchaser End User Groups Dept. of the Environment

Objectives: 

Objectives Buy-in from end-users & purchasers Reach – Ability to affect large % of purchases Low administrative time for City staff & vendors Incentives for staff to comply Communication of obstacles, including performance & cost issues

Tactics: 

Tactics Blocking sales (web-enabled vendors) Waivers required before purchase of non-listed goods Notification required “ “ “ “ Department reports of purchases Vendor sales reports End-user meetings of affected City staff Inclusion in Citywide contracts

What we’ve done so far: 

What we’ve done so far Lumber – no arsenic treatment Office supplies – PVC, batteries, toner cartridges Office paper – recycled content Clean vehicles Pesticides

What we’ve done so far, cont’d: 

What we’ve done so far, cont’d Janitorial cleaners – GS+ Compostable food containers Toilet paper, paper towels – no chlorine bleaching, recycled content Electric hand dryers Lamps – low mercury, efficient, long life Biodiesel

Lamp purchases – before & after ‘green’ contract: 

Lamp purchases – before & after ‘green’ contract

What we’re working on next: 

What we’re working on next Office supplies Lamps (revised) Janitorial cleaners (hard floor care and metal polishes) Food Computers & networking equipment Pest control

“Things That Work” vs. “Things That Work in San Francisco”: 

“Things That Work” vs. “Things That Work in San Francisco”

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EASY DIFFICULT Use existing third-party certifications Use model contract language Ad-hoc end User groups Approved product lists Develop new specifications Vendor sales reports Waivers for non-listed products Notifications for non-listed products Formal ‘green teams’ Green products on centralized contracts Dedicated staff & FT coordinator

Low-hanging fruit: 

Low-hanging fruit Retread tires ($$) Office papers (30% postconsumer) General purpose, window, restroom cleaners (Green Seal GS-37) Rerefined motor oil ($$) Lamps ($$ T8 ballasts only, CFLs)

Lessons from SF experience: 

Lessons from SF experience Burden on vendors for reporting, data Buy-in at all levels: End user groups Purchasers need simple specifications Education of vendors, staff Brand, vendor loyalty is an obstacle Purchasers: overburdened vs. empowered

10 Step Program: 

10 Step Program 1. Assemble a “Green” Team 2. Establish a process for working together 3. Define the scope of the EPP initiative 4. Prioritize contracts to change 5. Research environmentally preferable alternatives 6. Revise bid specifications 7. Evaluate bids 8. Advertise the EP products, conduct trainings 9. Get feedback from end-users 10. Track and publicize successes

Some references: 

Some references Responsible Purchasing Network: www.responsiblepurchasing.org Ecolabels recommendations and database (Consumer’s Union): www.eco-labels.org San Francisco Green Purchasing Program: http://www.sfenvironment.org