New York issues specifications for purchasing green products
New York state has issued specifications for purchasing a number of green products. The goal of the specifications program, which is part of Gov. David Paterson’s green procurement initiative, is to help a variety of public agencies reduce costs while buying green products and services.
The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation and the state’s Office of General Services were involved in the publication of the specifications.
The state’s green procurement initiative aims to help public agencies make smart buying decisions. The specifications will help guide purchases of numerous commodities and services.
Last April, the governor signed an executive order that established a state Green Procurement and Agency Sustainability Program. The order requires state agencies, public authorities and public benefit corporations to green their procurements and to implement sustainability initiatives.
The Executive Order 4 Interagency Committee on Sustainability and Green Procurement is identifying an annual list of categories and products for environmentally conscious purchasing, planning and contracting. The group is issuing procurement specifications that provide guidance on buying products and services that use energy efficiently (often labeled as “Energy Star”), contain recycled content, avoid toxic chemicals and promote reuse.
To date, the committee has approved final specifications in these product areas:
- Category I – Electronics/appliances, including computers, dishwashers, washers, air conditioners and refrigerators.
- Category II – Transportation, including passenger vehicles and motor oil.
- Category III – Office and building operations, including turf and ornamental management.
To track the progress of specifications as they are finalized, click here.
The committee also has revised the specifications for passenger cars and trucks to ensure that state entities purchase or lease those that have a fuel economy in the top 30 percent of their vehicle class.
“Businesses are making it easier for consumers to buy products and services that are both eco-friendly and cost-efficient, and New York state is leading by example in showing how this can translate into a better work environment,” New York State Department of Environmental Conservation Commissioner Pete Grannis said. “Already, we have begun to see results from the green procurement initiative, and we look forward to continuing to work with our partners to develop new strategies that will protect our natural resources and be fiscally responsible.”
Office of General Services Commissioner John Egan said the state’s green procurement actions “are having a global impact.”
“Every day OGS procurement professionals are measuring the market and seeking ways to aggregate the purchase of thousands of products by state and local government,” Egan said. “Equally important is the notion that by working closely with top environmental stewards, we are ensuring that sustainability and conservation are included in the purchasing equation.”
New York state’s guidelines are applicable to local governments, according to Brad Maione director of the public information office at the state’s Office of General Services.
“While the [governor’s] executive order does not specifically cover local governments, as authorized users, local governments may purchase off the statewide green contract offerings and also use the specifications as a model for their own procurements,” Maione told
GovPro.com.