Electronics and the Environment: Massachusetts Green Procurement Efforts

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Electronics and the EnvironmentMassachusetts
Green Procurement Efforts

• Eric Friedman
• Director of State Sustainability
• MA Executive Office of Environmental Affairs
• EPEAT Workshop June 17, 2003

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Talking Points

• The Massachusetts Green Purchasing Program
• Environmental Computer Contract Experience
• Purchasing Needs
• Alternative Procurement Tools
• Assessment Tool Needs

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The Green Purchasing Program

• The Operational Services Division establishes
  Statewide contracts for goods and services for
  use by agencies and political subdivisions
• Oversees annual purchases of 300 million
• 2 full-time dedicated environmental staff
• Incorporate environmental criteria into bid
  specifications
• Initial focus on recycled products
• Program moved to consider other environmental
  criteria such as energy efficiency, toxics, waste
  prevention, etc.

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Why Government Purchasing?
Other Locales King County Santa
Monica Minnesota Vermont Connecticut Pennsylvania
Seattle Feds

• Federal, state, local governments make up 20 of
  U.S. GNP
• Single point of procurement
• Affect markets on larger scale
• Larger environmental impact
• Use as broader educational tool
• Lead by example

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Computer Env. Considerations

• Part of existing program to consider EPPs
• Computers a growing problem for solid waste and
  hazardous materials management
• Costly to dispose of
• Minimize liability and responsibility
• Mass. CRT waste ban
• Others looking to state leadership

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The Computer Contract contract written 1999/up
for rebid 2003

• require energy star compliance
• multiple desirable criteria including
• reduced toxic materials (cadmium, mercury,
  chlorinated solvents, CFCs and HCFCs, etc.)
• take-back program
• design for recycling and/or upgradability
• recycled content in plastic housing or other
  parts
• recycled content in CRT glass
• recycled and/or source reduced packaging
• other broad-based environmental initiatives

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Computer Evaluation Criteria

• Toxic Constituents
• Recycled Content
• Take Back Provisions
• Packaging
• Upgradability
• Design for Recycling
• Worker Health Safety
• 3rd Party Certification
• Other Environmental Issues

• 100 points for environmental responses
  approximately 15 of total points

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Lessons Learned

• Re-sellers did not take specs seriously and did
  not contact OEMs
• OEMs are working on issues but not equally
• Varying levels of detail provided in responses
• There are some models which meet some of the
  criteria
• Need to do more outreach to OEMs about concerns
• Difficult to influence global market from one
  state bid

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Purchasing Issues

• Meet the needs of varied and demanding users
• Encompass numerous issues
• Cost
• Performance
• Training
• Delivery
• Write contracts quickly
• Not environmental experts nor is environment
  necessarily a priority

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Alternative Procurement Tools

• Flexible criteria with points system
• e.g. LEED building rating system from USGBC
• Third party standards
• e.g. GreenSeal cleaners

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Procurement Tools-Advantages

• GreenSeal Standards
• List of mandatory criteria pass/fail
• Standards developed by 3rd party certifier with
  no stake in outcome
• Back-up documentation
• Certification offered to simplify approval
  process
• Becoming more widely accepted

• LEED Rating System
• Flexible with some mandatory criteria
• Points allocated in varied categories
• Varying levels of designation (platinum, gold,
  silver, regular)
• Coordinated by national organization
• Widely accepted

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Procurement Assessment Tool Needs

• Create one set of information across
  jurisdictions
• Establish simple, straightforward guidelines
  and/or minimum criteria
• Justify established priorities
• Keep it simple for users and industry
• Create wide availability of product
• Eliminate complicated evaluation processes
• Developed by respected organization or coalition