Sustainability and Environmentally Responsible Purchasing Presented by Karl Bruskotter, City of Santa Monica For CAPPO Conference February 12 th, 2008
City of Santa Monica Population: 90,000 City employees: 1,890 $600 million tourism economy City provided services include: Police, Fire, Water and Wastewater, Utilities, Solid Waste Collection, Municipal Bus System
Santa Monica Sustainable City Plan Purpose The Sustainable City Plan was created to enhance our resources, prevent harm to the natural environment and human health, and benefit the social and economic well-being of the community for the sake of current and future generations
Sustainable City Pan Goal Areas Goal represent commitments for both municipal operations and the community as a whole www.smepd.org/scpr
Resource Conservation Goals: Decrease consumption of non-local, non-renewable, nonrecyclable energy, water, materials and fuels and promote renewable resource use Solid Waste Water Use Energy Use Renewable Energy Greenhouse Gas Emissions Ecological Footprint Sustainable Procurement Green Construction
Sustainable Procurement Indicator Indicator Number of categories of city purchased products that meet established purchasing criteria and standards. Target: By 2010, 20 purchased product categories converted from conventional to environmentally preferable. Transition average of 5 products per year.
Targeted Product Categories Carpet Food Packaging Computers Copy and Printing Paper Janitorial Paper Supplies Office Supplies Furniture Lumber or wood products Printers and Copiers Street Aggregate Toner cartridges Vehicles
Responsible Purchasing Environment Social Price, Performance, & Availability
What is environmentally preferable? Is the product less hazardous or toxic? Is it reusable or more durable? Is it made from recycled materials? Does it conserve energy or water? What happens to the product at the end of its life? Can it be recycled? Will the manufacturer take the product back? Will it need special disposal? Does it perform well and is it cost effective?
Environmental and Public Health Goals: Minimize/eliminate the use of hazardous and toxic materials and the levels of pollutants entering the air, soil and water Santa Monica Bay Health Waste Water Vehicle Miles Traveled Air Quality Household Hazardous Waste City Purchase of Hazardous Materials Toxic Air Contaminants Urban Runoff Local Produce @ City Facilities Farmers Market Restaurant Food Food Choices
City Purchase of Hazardous Materials Indicator Indicator The volume and/or toxicity of hazardous materials purchased by city operations. Target: By 2010, decrease the volume and/or toxicity of 20 hazardous materials purchased by the city. Transition average of 5 products per year.
Targeted Hazardous Materials Diesel Fluorescent lamps Cleaning products Graffiti removers and anti-graffiti coatings Rodenticides Treated wood Floor care products Paints Brake cleaners Pesticides Penetrating lubricants
Smog forming volatile organic compounds
Santa Monica Bay Pollutant of Greatest Concern
Carcinogens and Reproductive Toxins
End of Life Disposal Concerns
What else makes a material hazardous or toxic? EPA Waste Minimization Priority Chemicals (PBTs) Neurotoxins and respiratory toxins Emerging chemicals, endocrine disruptors
Green janitorial products Janitorial paper supplies unbleached and recycled content Trash can liners recycled plastic content Cleaning products Green Seal certified
Green vehicles and fuels Vehicles that are less polluting, such as those running on alternative fuels
Unleaded- 98-19% Biodiesel- 81-15% Electric- 36-7% Propane- 12 or 2% Hybrid- 15 or 3% Plug-In Hybrid- 1-0% Flex Fuel- 1-0% Bi-Fuel- 10-2% Hydrogen- 5-1% Nat. Gas- 265-51%
Green vehicle maintenance Re-refined motor oil Aqueous-based parts washers Brake cleaners Retread tires
Green exterior maintenance Pest control services Sidewalk cleaning products Odor control products Graffiti removers and anti-graffiti coatings
Green offices Computer equipment Office electronics Toner cartridges Office Supplies Furniture Copy and printing paper
Green building maintenance Lighting and lamps Paint Carpet Lumber and wood products Toilets and urinals
Procurement Policies and Programs Ordinances Tropical Rainforest Wood (1990) Ozone-depleting Chemicals (1991) Non-Recyclable Plastic Disposable Food Packaging (2007) Council Adopted Policies Vehicle Management Program (1993) Renewable Energy (1999) Administrative Instructions Not mandated by City Council Purchase of Energy-Efficient Office Equipment, Recycled Products Procurement and Toxics-Use-Reduction
Elements for a Successful Green Purchasing Humans Support from the top EPP teams & stakeholder groups Progress, not perfection Inspect what you expect Network Celebrate successes
Obstacles to Successful Green Purchasing Humans Issue of low bid Neophobia Product performance Burden of criteria development and product evaluation
Implementation Select targeted product categories Conduct surveys Create stakeholder groups Purchasing specifications Resources and materials Staff training and outreach Celebrate successes
California Product Stewardship Council (CPSC) www.caproductstewardship.org MISSION To shift California s product waste management system from one focused on government funded and ratepayer financed waste diversion to one that relies on producer responsibility in order to reduce public costs and drive improvements in product design.
Responsible Purchasing Network A network of stakeholders interested in purchasing products that are better for human health and the environment Recommends environmental and social product specifications to institutional purchasers New website will include resources such as a certified products database and networking tools Official launch fall 2006 www.responsiblepurchasing.org
A1 If you think you re too small to make a difference, then you ve never spent the night in a tent with a mosquito. - Canadian First Nations Elder karl.bruskotter@smgov.net www.smepd.org
Slide 33 A1 Administrator, 2/11/2008