Green purchasing includes the acquisition of recycled content products, environmentally preferable products and services, biobased products, energy- and water-efficient products, alternate fuel vehicles, products using renewable energy, and alternatives to hazardous or toxic chemicals. The White House Task Force on Waste Prevention and Recycling, in conjunction with the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA), assists Federal agencies to promote the acquisition of recycled content, environmentally preferable, and biobased products; non-ozone depleting substances; and products containing alternatives to certain priority chemicals. The U.S. Department of Energy (DOE) and EPA assist agencies to implement the energy-related purchasing requirements, including the purchase of alternative fuel vehicles and alternative fuels. The General Services Administration and the Defense Logistics Agency, as central sources of supply, are key to making the Federal green purchasing program successful.

• Recycled Content Products
• The Paper Calculator
• Recycled Content (ReCon) Tool
• Green Seal Standard for Recycled Content Latex Paint
• Federal Acquisition Regulation Provisions for Recycled Content Items
• Energy Star and Energy-Efficient Products
  • Energy Star Quantity Quotes Tool. DOE developed an on-line Energy Star bulk purchasing tool, which you can find at www.bulkpurchase.net. This tool is designed to help bulk purchasers of Energy Star qualified appliances, light bulbs, fixtures and other qualified products obtain competitive quotes. For additional information, see the Bulk Purchasing Tool fact sheet.
  • Energy Star and EPEAT FAQ
  • Federal Acquisition Regulation Energy-Consuming Products Provision
  • Federal Acquisition Regulation EPEAT Products Provision
  • The ENERGY STAR Purchasing Web Site (www.energystar.gov/purchasing) offers a variety of resources including:
    • Product calculators that enable the determination of annual and life-cycle cost savings obtained by purchasing ENERGY STAR qualified products rather than conventional ones
    • Specifications that detail the performance requirements of ENERGY STAR qualified products
    • Down-loadable sample procurement language
    • Lists of ENERGY STAR qualified products, by manufacturer and model number
• Renewable Energy
• Water Use Efficiency Program
• Vehicles
• Navy Biodiesel Policy
• South Coast Air Quality Management District Advisory on New Clean Fleet Vehicle Rules
• DESC Biodiesel (B20) Specification
• Biodiesel Technical Reference Guide
• Biobased Products
• Federal Acquisition Regulation Biobased Product Provisions
• Environmentally Preferable Purchasing
• Greening Janitorial Products and Services
• Green Cleaning Pollution Prevention Calculator
• Design for the Environment
• Green Meetings
• Significant New Alternative Policy (SNAP) Program
• Priority Chemicals
• Mercury
• Lead
• Warranties
• Environmentally Benign Adhesives

• FY 2007 RCRA/FSRIA Data Questionnaire (Word Format)
• FY 2007 RCRA/FSRIA Data Questionnaire (PDF Format)

• Green Purchasing Training
• Alternative Fuels Information Station (AFIS)
• Alternative Fuel Vehicle Driver Training
• GSA SmartPay Training
• ANSI Training on EPP

• E.O. 13423 Implementing Instructions
• OFPP Policy Letter
• DOD Green Procurement Library
• Example Approaches to Green Purchasing Compliance Monitoring. This tool provides examples of options that Federal agencies can use to monitor compliance with the green purchasing requirements.
• Model Green Purchasing Plan. The Department of Defense prepared a Green Purchasing Plan covering all of the components of the Federal green purchasing program. OFEE encourages agencies to use DoD's plan as a model for preparing their own plans. The attached version of DoD's plan includes OFEE suggested additions in brackets.
• GSA Resource Guide: The General Services Administration’s Federal Acquisition Service (FAS) own Green Purchasing Plan and Reference Guide provides detailed information to easily find and purchase green products and services through FAS acquisition vehicles
• Incorporating Green Purchasing into Environmental Management Systems. A new EPA report on incorporating green purchasing into environmental management systems is now available at www.epa.gov/epp/ems.htm.
• Federal Acquisition Regulation
• Federal Agency Green Purchasing Links
• Environmental Labeling and Marketing Claims
• Federal Trade Commission Guides for the Use of Environmental Marketing Claims
• Purchasing from Mandatory Sources
• Introduction for Purchase Card Holders
• Federal Procurement Opportunities for "Green" Vendors
• Federal Facilities Compliance Guidance
• Green Purchasing Brochures:
  Agencies can create green purchasing brochures for purchase card holders, product specifiers, contracting officials, and other interested persons. Both the Department of Veterans Affairs and the Department of Justice created green purchasing brochures. You can use these brochures as templates for creating brochures for your agency's staff.
• Quantifying the Benefits of Green Purchasing
• Joint Service P2 Library
• Sample Statement of Work Language for EMS Conformance
• Current Contracts
• New Contracts
• Tritium-Containing Exit Signs
• ENERGY STAR

Best Practices

Greening Highways and Roadways

Leasing