Purchasing - ongoing

Intent

To reduce environmental harm from materials used in the operations and maintenance of buildings.

Requirements

Establishment

None.

Performance

Ongoing Consumables

Purchase at least 60%, by cost, of total ongoing consumables that meet at least one of the following criteria. Include the product categories identified in the Materials and Resources prerequisite: Ongoing Purchasing and Waste Policy. Lamps are excluded from the calculation. Each purchase can receive credit for each criterion met.

• Postconsumer recycled content. The content of purchases must meet or exceed the levels listed in the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines. Products not covered by the Guidelines can get credit for their recycled content with no minimum.

• Extended use. Batteries must be rechargeable. Toner cartridges for laser printers must be remanufactured.
• Sustainable agriculture. Food and beverages must be labeled USDA Organic, Food Alliance Certified, Rainforest Alliance Certified, Protected Harvest Certified, Fair Trade, or Marine Stewardship Council’s Blue Eco-Label , or labeled with the European Community Organic Production logo in accordance with Regulations (EC) No. 834/2007 and (EC) No. 889/2008.
• Local sourcing of food and beverages. The food or beverage must contain raw materials harvested and produced within 100 miles (160 kilometers) of the site.
• Bio-based materials. Bio-based products must meet the Sustainable Agriculture Network’s Sustainable Agriculture Standard. Bio-based raw materials must be tested using ASTM Test Method D6866 and be legally harvested, as defined by the exporting and receiving country. Exclude hide products, such as leather and other animal skin material.
• Paper and wood products. Paper and wood products must be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council or USGBC-approved equivalent.

Electric-Powered Equipment

Purchase at least 40%, by cost, electric-powered equipment that meets at least one of the following criteria. Include product categories specified in Materials and Resources prerequisite: Ongoing Purchasing and Waste Policy. In addition, create a phase-out plan to replace remaining products with compliant equipment at the end of their useful life.

• EPEAT rating. The equipment must have a silver Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) rating or better.

• ENERGY STAR rating. If the equipment does not yet fall under the EPEAT rating systems, it must be ENERGY STAR® qualified or performance equivalent for projects outside the U.S.