What's Green

Need Help Locating Products & Services to Meet Mandates of Environmental Regulations?

GSA provides more "green" furniture options, furnishings and services on contract than ever before. A wide range of GSA vendors have dedicated innovative corporate resources in order to provide a wide array of quality, environmentally sensitive products. Here are a few of the highlights:

• NEW!  Schedule 36 has added language to the contract to ensure that all copiers are Energy Star compliant. Non Energy Star copiers are no longer acceptable.  
• There is flooring that conserves resources by using 100 percent renewable ingredients like linoleum.
• Recycled content vinyl composition tiles were recognized in the 1997 State of New Jersey's Recycling Award.
• GSA has the Evergreen Awards, which has recognized carpet tile, cleans and rejuvenates it, and overprints a new pattern for reuse.
• For recyclable, recycled content vinyl-backed carpet, some vendors have used reclaimed carpet to create vinyl backing for their carpet -- which can then be reclaimed at the end of its life cycle and again re-manufactured into backing for new carpet -- a closed loop system of mining facilities for resources rather than the earth.
• Thousands of budget dollars can be saved with office workstations in which pre-owned systems panels and components are re-manufactured to "like new" condition.
• Products made with 100 percent recyclable materials, such as aluminum.
• Task lighting with occupancy sensors can reduce energy consumption.
• If it's a table lamp that is needed, many of GSA vendors supply products accept the energy saving compact fluorescent lamps (CFL's) -- certified allies of EPA's "Green Lights" Program.
• Energy-saving window coverings include see-through shading systems that let in the light, but not the summer heat.

It doesn't stop there, think about greening your services contracts as well:

• Furniture and furnishings investments can remain looking great with services that are environmentally friendly. Suppliers perform a wide variety of services to extend the useful life of furniture and furnishings (carpet and draperies), thus keeping it out of the landfill.
• Suppliers provide services such as restoring, repairing, renovating, reupholstering and cleaning - onsite or at the supplier's facility - using nontoxic, odorless refinishing and cleaning solutions.
• Cleaning processes help agencies not only reduce replacement costs but also to improve indoor air quality by removing significant allergenic pollutants.
• Your agency's green purchasing plan should provide information on how to report your green purchases in order to get credit for them.

GSA's Evergreen Awards were developed to recognize efforts in recycling, affirmative procurement and waste reduction. Additionally, take a look at the Environmental Products page and the search capability in GSAAdvantage!® and GSA eLibrary for other environmentally friendly products and services. 

Also, check out what's happening at the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive.