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<br />To help develop markets for recyclable materials, to support recycling efforts, and to set an example for <br />local government and the private sector, all agencies shall purchase and use environmentally preferable <br />products whenever feasible or practicable. <br /> <br />For products to be truly environmentally friendly they must meet the following criteria: <br /> <br />1. Release no persistent toxic substances into the environment during production, use and disposal. <br />2. Conserve energy and resources during production, use and disposal. <br />3. Be durable and reusable first, or readily recyclable or compostable, or truly biodegradable next. <br />4. Be made from recycled materials or renewable resources used in a sustainable way. <br />5. Packaging for the product is minimal but adequate to ensure protection, reflecting the above <br />criteria. <br /> <br />Some products meeting these criteria include: <br /> <br />- Rechargeable batteries <br />- Reusable mugs and other dishes <br />- White board or chalk bulletin boards <br />- Oil filters <br />- Shipping containers and pallets <br />- Coffee filters <br />- Internal mail envelopes <br />- Refillable pens and pencils <br />- Reusable air filters <br />- Cloth towels and other linens <br /> <br />Products made from rainforest hardwood and or tropical wood will not be considered environmentally <br />preferable. <br /> <br />Purchase and Use of Products Having Recycled Content <br /> <br />A. Before purchasing any product, agency staff shall look for items available on the on-line Swap <br />Shop. <br />B. Product specifications shall be written to encourage vendors to offer products having recycled <br />content. When products having recycled content are offered that are comparable in quality, <br />availability, and within price preference limits to products not having recycled content, term <br />contracts shall carry only the recycled products. <br />C, Term contracts shall be written in a format that prominently identifies products having recycled <br />content, and these products shall be listed in conjunction with any comparable products that do <br />not have recycled content, to encourage agencies to readily identify the availability of these <br />products. The Purchasing department shall.prepare a listing of all recycled products available on <br />county contracts on a semi-annual basis, and make it available to all potential purchasers to <br />increase awareness of opportunities to purchase recycled products. <br />D. Agencies are directed to purchase and use recycled paper for all letterhead stationary, reports, <br />memoranda, and other documents when feasible and practicable. All new photocopiers <br />purchased shall have the ability to use xerographic paper having at least 50% recycled content. <br />E. The Purchasing department and the Program Coordinator shall develop guidelines for the <br />minimum content standards for recycled products purchased by county agencies. <br />F. Agencies that have delegated purchasing authority shall review their existing specifications to <br />ensure that they do not contain restrictive language or other barriers to purchasing recycled <br />products, unless such specifications are necessary to protect public health, safety, or welfare. <br />'G. Buildings and structures should be constructed using green building practices whenever <br />practicable. <br /> <br />I <br />~,' , <br /> <br />F-/~ <br />