Environmentally Preferable
Purchasing: the environment if we commit to buying
What do I need to consider?
Good questions to ask before
purchasing a product
2 include:
 Is it reusable or more durable?
 Does it contain post-consumer
recycled content?
 What happens to the product at
the end of its life? Can it be
recycled, will it require special
disposal, or does the
manufacturer take it back?
 Does it use less energy than
comparable products?
 Have its environmental
attributes been certified by a
non-biased third party?
 What is needed to properly
maintain or operate this product
over time?
 If the product contains toxic
materials, is there another
product with less?
http://www.green.ca.gov/EPP/Introduction
/ FindExist.htm
SJSU can significantly reduce its impact on Buying Green with EPP:
with sustainability in mind.
Environmentally Preferable
Purchasing
Qualities of EPP Products:
• Durable and Long Lasting
• Energy Efficient
• Contain Post-consumer Recycled Content
• Water-conserving
• Easy, Non-Hazardous Maintenance
• Made Using Responsible Manufacturing
Practices
• Minimal Packaging
• Easy to Recycle
Environmental Practices:
• Reduce (only buy it if you need it)
• Re-Use A guide for SJSU staff, administrators, and
• Recycle faculty on purchasing more sustainably.
• Avoid Disposable Products
www.sjsu.edu/sustainability
A Joint Effort of Purchasing & the Sustainability
Initiative in the Office of the President
February 2011
Created by Cathy Bui
 Selecting EPP at OfficeMax Online
Under Catalog drop menu, click
“Recycled/EPP Products”
In Advanced Search options, check
“Recycled Goods”
OfficeMax Online Icons
= Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines.
EPA's continuing effort to promote the use of
materials recovered from solid waste.
= Made with recycled material (see details
for percent recycled and material type).
SJSU Furniture Re-use Program
www.sjsu.edu/pass/purchasing/reuse
Purchasing new items increases demand for
energy and natural resources. Consider using
slightly-used items instead.
 Donate department furniture and equipment
you don’t need to other departments.
 Use surplus (available) furniture and
equipment in your department.
Work With Purchasing!
Requisitions – You may include a request for
EPP options to your buyer under the header
comments sections.
EPP Guidelines – The PASS website contains
additional information and resources on EPP.
www.sjsu.edu/pass/purchasing/policies
Reducing Paper Use
 Send documents electronically. New multi-
function printers can send scanned items
electronically to multiple e-mail addresses.
 Print double sided and reduce paper use by
50%.
 Use both side of a sheet of paper. Create a
collection box for usable one-sided paper
scrap paper.
 Purchase recycled content paper. Look for
30% post-consumer content or this label:
 D2L Learning Management System. Faculty
can utilize D2L to share documents online
with students rather than in print.
www.sjsu.edu/ecampus
Green Cleaners
To find cleaning products at work or at home
that have EPP qualities, look for these labels:
Energy Efficient Electronics
Look for the Energy Star Label
Get a List of “Greener” Electronics at
www.epeat.net
EPP Dining
Buy reusable or biodegradable plates, utensils,
and cups, instead of plastic or single-use
products.
Reusable steel or BPA-free plastic water bottles
are recommended for long-term use.
Disposal
www.sjsu.edu/fdo/operations/recycling/info
This website offers detailed instructions on how
to properly recycle or dispose of products, both
common and unusual.
Batteries & CFL Bulbs
 Associated Students Computer Services
Center offers free E-waste collection (Student
Union, top floor)
 Interdepartmental mail to Recycling Services
extended zip 001
Composting for events
Submit a work request to have a compost bin at
your next event at http://admtma.sjsu.edu/.
Eco-Labels
Other 3rd party certified brands to look for