Buying green - sustainable purchasing for state agencies

Fuel efficient tires

• In 2007, the Legislature required that replacement tires for state vehicles have the same or better rolling resistance than the original tires.
• Fuel efficient tires are cost effective over the life of the vehicle.
• Fuel efficient tires are available on state contract #01712.

Retread tires

• Heavy-duty equipment and truck tires can be retreaded repeatedly.
• Retread medium and heavy duty tires cost 30 to 50 percent less than all-new tires, reduce tire disposal fees and increase fuel economy.
• State contract #02806 encourages fleets to establish tire management programs and promotes reduction in the state's tire costs.

Vehicles

• Many state and local government agencies are transitioning their fleets to hybrid cars, trucks, and buses, and buying plug-in hybrid or electric passenger vehicles.
• In 2016, Governor Jay Inslee doubled the numbers of electric vehicles in the state motor pool.
• Electric, hybrid and alternative fuel vehicles are available on state contract #05916.

Recycled antifreeze

• Recycled antifreeze costs less than virgin antifreeze and performs the same.
• Recycled antifreeze is available from specialty antifreeze recyclers and many auto suppliers. Ask for recycled antifreeze that meets or exceeds ASTM D-3306 for passenger cars and D-6210 for heavy duty engines.
• Antifreeze is not sold on state contract.

Re-refined motor oil

• Purchasing re-refined motor oil conserves a non-renewable resource.
• Re-refined motor oil costs and performs the same as virgin oil.
• Re-refined lubricants are available on state contract #02411.

Wheel weights

• Lead wheel weights are banned in Washington by Chapter 70.270 RCW.
• Steel weights are less toxic.
• Steel weights cost more, but last longer.
• Steel wheel weights are available on state contract state contract #01809.

• Green cleaning products cost the same and reduce the number of cleaning chemicals used.
• Look for cleaning chemicals certified by Green Seal, Ecologo or the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's Safer Choice program.
• Green cleaning products are available on state contract #00812 and through cooperative purchasing contracts (see information on Environmentally Preferable Purchasing).

• Federal, state and local governments can use the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) to identify environmentally preferable computers and imaging equipment.
• Extending your agency’s computer replacement cycle to five years or more saves resources and money.
• If your agency leases copiers and multi-function devices, incorporate EPEAT specifications into your lease agreement with the contractor. See the Green Purchasing Guide and purchasing toolkit.
• EPEAT-registered computers are available on state contract #05815.

Resilient flooring

• Greener resilient flooring products include concrete, natural linoleum, rubber flooring and products manufactured from other natural materials.
• Selecting durable, green flooring products will reduce use of stripping, cleaning, and polishing chemicals; cut staff time for maintaining, stripping and recoating floors; and reduce floor replacement costs through improved durability.

Carpet

• Recycled content carpet is cost competitive with carpet made from new materials.
• Carpet tiles are more expensive than rolled carpet, but cost less over the life of the carpet since only worn or stained tiles are replaced.
• Look for carpet that meets the NSF/ANSI Gold Standard for energy and materials use, end-of-life management, hazardous chemicals use and volatile organic compound emissions.
• Flooring materials and services are available on state contract #00710.

Compost

• Guidelines for purchasing compost are outlined in Buying and Using Compost.
• Compost lowers costs by reducing weeds when used as mulch, reducing the use of pesticides, reducing costs associated with chemical use, and building healthy soils that require less water and fertilizer.

Snow and ice control products

• Environmentally preferable snow and ice control products help reduce the use of road salt, which is corrosive and can affect water and soil quality.
• The National Association of State Purchasing Officials has developed a Green Purchasing Guide for Deicers.
• Snow and ice control products are available on state contract #02714.

Native plants

• Reduce water usage.
• Significantly reduce or eliminate the need for herbicides, pesticides, fungicides and fertilizers.
• Native plants can be found on state contract #02510.

Integrated pest management

• All state agencies that have pest control responsibilities are required to implement the practices found in Chapter 17.15 RCW, Integrated Pest Management.
• Integrated pest management programs for buildings and landscapes reduce pesticide purchases. Ecology uses integrated pest management at our Lacey building. Contact tina.simcich@ecy.wa.gov for details.

Biolubricants for outdoor equipment

• Biolubricants cost less over the product's life-cycle due to lower maintenance, storage and disposal requirements.
• Virgin and re-refined lubricants are available on state contract #02411.

Energy efficient fluorescent lamps

• Fluorescent lamps known as T8s are good choices because they use 40 percent less energy than the older T12s and last up to 36,000 hours.
• State buildings can be retrofitted using performance-based contracting.

LEDs

• LED bulbs use about one-tenth the amount of electricity as a comparable incandescent bulb.
• LEDs are available for both indoor and outdoor applications.
• LEDs typically pay for themselves within two years.
• LEDs last seven to 10 years.
• T8 lamps and some LEDS are available on state contract #07510.
• Recycling for lamps and bulbs is available on state contract #09108.

Remanufactured toner cartridges

• Buying remanufactured toner cartridges costs 40 percent less than new cartridges and reduces disposal costs.
• Remanufactured cartridges are available on state contract #04615.

Office paper

• Chapter 49.19A RCW requires that agencies purchase 100 percent recycled content white cut sheet bond paper for use in printers and copiers.
• Duplex printing can cut paper costs by almost half.

Office supplies

• Consider buying reused or refurbished office supplies.
• When buying new, look for durable products that are refillable, reusable and energy efficient.
• Office supplies and paper are on state contract #04411.

Paint

• Specify architectural paints certified by Green Seal, Ecologo, and MPI Extreme-Green to meet standards for lower volatile organic compounds.
• Paints certified to have no or low VOCs are comparable in price to traditional products.
• Recycled paint is typically less expensive.
• National Association of State Purchasing Organizations guides: 
  • Architectural paint
  • Traffic paint