The Big Picture
WGP Credit: Environmentally Preferable Product Procurement (Non-Capital Items)
(1-2 Points, Non-Reciprocal)
Credit Summary
WGP Credit: Environmentally Preferable Product Procurement (Non-Capital Items) aims to encourage and increase the procurement of Recycled Content and other Environmentally Preferable Products (EPP). This is achieved by a local government or industry demonstrating that they have met EPP requirements for a minimum of 10% (or 25%, depending on the tier met) of the local government’s Procurement Budget.
Impact Summary
By buying recycled and Environmentally Preferable Products, one is completing the lifecycle of a recycled good, reducing the amount of virgin material extracted from the earth and the amount of energy produced. These benefits make it incredibly beneficial to buy recycled or EPP products over new, virgin products.
Submittal Summary
To achieve this credit, a local government or industry must utilize an open database of ‘preferred’ alternative chemicals, materials, and processes to make products more circular, and establish procurement guidelines to label products as compostable.
In Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park, an EPP cleaning project was implemented. Due to the sensitive natural surrounding of these areas, reducing toxicity and increasing biodegradability was an important factor in the project. After the testing and implementation of these products, Yellowstone reduced their number of cleaning products used from 130 to 15, spending less as a result. There has also been less sick leave, heightened productivity, and increased morale among cleaning staff since making the switch
Intent and Requirements
Intent
To encourage and increase the procurement of recycled content and other Environmentally Preferable Products (EPP17).
Local Government Requirements
Tier 1: (1 point)
Demonstrate the Local Government’s procurement of products that meet EPP requirements for a minimum of 10 percent of the local government’s Procurement Budget.
Tier 2: (+1 point)
Demonstrate the Local Government’s procurement of products that meet EPP requirements for a minimum of 25 percent of the local government’s Procurement Budget.
Industry Requirements
Tier 1: (1 point)
Demonstrate the Company’s procurement of products that meet EPP requirements for a minimum of 10 percent of the Company’s Procurement Budget.
Tier 2: (1 point)
Demonstrate the Company’s procurement of products that meet EPP requirements for a minimum of 25 percent of the Company’s Procurement Budget.
Why We Care
Buying recycled products is a very important part of completing the lifecycle of a recycled item, effectively “closing the loop” on the recycling process. Purchasing items made from recycled products reduces the amount of virgin natural materials extracted from the earth, as new resources are not being taken from the earth to make a new product. This consequently reduces energy use, as extracting raw materials requires much more energy. Using recycled materials also increases the demand for recyclables making them more desirable and makes recycling a more sustainable process over time.¹
How to Meet the Requirements
- Utilize an open database of ‘preferred’ alternative chemicals, materials, and processes to help companies reformulate products to make them more circular.
- Establish procurement guidelines to label products as compostable.
Required Documentation
Local Government and Industry
Upload documentation of 10% procurement of non-durable EPP products OR documentation of 25% procurement of non-durable EPP products.
Case Studies & In-Depth Information
In Yellowstone National Park and Grand Teton National Park, an EPP cleaning project was implemented. Due to the sensitive natural surrounding of these areas, reducing toxicity and increasing biodegradability was an important factor in the project. After the testing and implementation of these products, Yellowstone reduced their number of cleaning products used from 130 to 15, spending less as a result. There has also been less sick leave, heightened productivity, and increased morale among cleaning staff since making the switch.¹
Referenced Standards
N/A
Definitions
Alternative Chemicals, Materials, and Processes
Chemicals, materials, and processes which are deemed environmentally friendly alternatives.
Environmentally Preferable Products (EPP)
TRUE Definition: “A concept that melds procurement and environmental sustainability into an environmentally conscious purchasing strategy, utilizing multifaceted environmental purchasing factors”
EPA Definition: Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) Program participates in consensus standards development to provide greater market clarity and definition around the manufacture and purchase of goods and services which are environmentally preferable and then supports the uptake of those standards in federal procurement.”
Duke Finance Definition: A policy that gives preference to products that have a lesser or reduced negative effect on human health and the environment when compared to competing products that serve the same purpose. This comparison may consider raw materials acquisition, production, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, reuse, operation, maintenance, and disposal of the product. This term includes recyclable products, recycled products, and reusable products.
Sample SWEEP Definition: A set of purchasing guidelines that facilitates the purchase of products and materials that minimize harmful effects to the environment from their production, transportation, consumption, and disposal while performing the same function as more environmentally harmful alternatives.
Procurement Budget
Investopedia definition: Procurement budgets typically provide managers with a specific value they can spend to procure the goods or services they need.
Recycled Content Products
GSA Definition: Recycled content items are items produced with recovered materials. The Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Comprehensive Procurement Guideline Program (CPG) defines recycled content preference items and lists items manufactured with recycled material that EPA deems equivalent to virgin material for standard applications.