Environmental Policy

Description

CAMERON COUNTY PURCHASING CAMERON COUNTY, TEXAS 1100 EAST MONROE ST., Brownsville, Texas 78520 (956) 544-0871 Environmental Purchasing Policy i) Green Purchasing Green Purchasing introduces practices that promote sustainability of the environment. The objective is to: a. Reduce waste by increasing product efficiency and effectiveness; b. Purchase products that minimize environmental impacts, toxics, pollution and hazards to improve safety as much as possible; c. Purchase products that include recycled content, are durable, long lasting, conserve energy and water, and reduce greenhouse gas emissions to the greatest extent possible. ii) Purpose The policy is developed to: a. b. c. d. Conserve natural resources, preserve air, soil, and water quality Minimize environmental impacts Eliminate or reduce toxins that create hazards to workers and the community Strengthen and support strong local recycling markets by encouraging County departments to use such products whenever practicable e. Reduce materials that are disposed of in landfill f. Increase the use of environmentally preferable products g. Create a model for purchasing recycled products that encourages other purchasers in our community to adopt similar goals iii) Guidelines 1 When purchasing materials and contracting for services, the following guidelines will be considered: a. Source Reduction 1. County shall institute purchasing practices that reduce waste and result in the purchase of fewer products whenever practicable and cost-effective without lowering safety or workplace quality standards. 2. County shall purchase remanufactured products whenever practicable without reducing safety, quality, or effectiveness. 3. Short-term and long-term costs shall be considered in comparing product alternatives. Included in evaluation shall be total cost during ownership, including acquisition cost, warranties, operations, supplies, consumables, maintenance, disposal cost, and life expectancy. 4. County shall require suppliers of electronic equipment, including computers, monitors, printers, and copiers to take back equipment for reuse or environmentally safe recycling when County discards or replaces such equipment whenever practicable. b. Recycled Content Products 1. Copiers and printers shall be compatible with the use of recycled content products. 2. County shall specify and purchase recycled content Janitorial Paper and Liner products when practicable. 3.