Implementing an Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy (EPP) for the City of Richmond

What is Environmentally Preferable Purchasing? Richmond residents using reusable bags Single-Use Bag Ordinance Green Purchasing, Eco- Procurement, Sustainable Purchasing Procuring products with sustainable attributes, such as reduced packaging, reusability, energy efficiency, recycled content, and rebuilt or remanufactured products.

Overall Goal for Implementing an EPP Policy To use products that promote human health, reduce environmental impacts, and support markets for sustainable products. Richmond business using compostable food ware Food Ware Ordinance

Benefits of Buying Green Products Save money Save energy Conserve water Improve overall employee health Reduce Greenhouse Gas (GHG) Emissions Green Cleaning Dispenser

Drafting and Implementing an EPP Policy Get top level support Adopt a team approach – “Green Team” Engage end-users early Begin with “low hanging fruit” items Request samples or live demonstrations Conduct pilot tests Integrate into all financial plans – General Plan – Five Year Financial Plan – Biennial Budgets – Quarterly Performance measures

City of Richmond EPP Policy Procurement Guidelines in Eleven Subject Areas 1.Source Reduction 2.Recycled Content Products 3.Energy and Water Savings 4.Green Building 5.Landscaping 6.Toxics and Pollution 7.Forest Conservation 8.Bio-Based Products 9.Product Responsibility 10.Local Products 11.Vehicle Fleet

Success Stories Paper Use Reduction Plan Reduce, Reuse, Recycle – Required minimum - 30% post- consumer recycled content paper – Implemented a Paperless Procurement Process – Post all Financial documents online – Duplex printing – Payroll Electronic Direct Deposit Notifications

Success Stories Paper Use Reduction Plan Replace Desktop Printers/Scanners/Fax Machines with MFDs Multi-function devices (MFDs) offer centralized printing, copying, faxing, and scanning. – Less energy consumption – Lower cost per copy costs Reduced desktop printers by 27% Reduced paper consumption by 25% Reduced the overall cost of office supplies by 23%

Paper Use Reduction Plan - In Progress In Progress: – Library /Text notifications to patrons Online payment system – Accounts Payable Provide vendors with direct deposit of Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) – Finance Electronic billing and payment systems

Success Stories Green Cleaning Products All City facilities are cleaned using “Green Cleaning Products” – Improves Health and Well Being – Safer Products – Better Air Quality – Less Expensive – Less overall packaging in waste stream (cardboard, paper and plastic)

Success Stories Street Light Improvement Project City’s Goal is to upgrade all City street lights to Light- Emitting Diode (LED) Technology – Less Energy – Better Quality/Color of light – Longer Life – Less Maintenance – Improve Public Safety – These fixtures will pay for themselves in years

Success Stories Street Light Improvement Project Phase I - Upgraded 1,100 city-owned lights to LED tech – Completed Phase II - Upgrade remaining 2,500 city-owned lights to LED tech Phase III - Upgrade PG&E Street Lights to LED Tech & transfer ownership to the City of Richmond. (3,577) -$450K in annual savings will cover cost of project (Maintenance and electric savings on utility bill)

Success Stories Street Light Improvement Project -Phase IV – Increase neighborhood lighting by 3,000 lights -Financed by savings generated in phase III and a low interest loan -Net cost to the City $0

Success Stories Implement Recycling Programs Recycling Programs in Place – Antifreeze- Coolant – Tires/retreading- Oil Filters – Remanufactured Auto Parts- Asphalt Grindings – Old Aluminum Signs – Motor Oil

Civic Center Leadership in Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) Gold Certification, 2009

(LEED) Gold Certification,

How Can You Measure Your Success? Establish Goals Set Performance Measures – X% of purchases will meet environmental standards – X number of contracts will include environmental requirements – X number of Public Works staff will take Integrated Pest Management (IPM) Training

Purchase Using Cooperatively Contracts – Piggy Back Contracts US Communities State of California Contracts Multi-state contracts Western State Contracting Alliance ( WSCA) National Joint Powers Alliance (NJPA)

Specify Independently Certified Goods & Services Green Seal (low-toxicity cleaners, paints) Electronic Products Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) (green computers) Energy Star (energy-efficient office equipment, light fixtures and appliances) EcoWise (safer pest management) US Department of Agriculture USDA (pesticide and fertilizer)

Don’t Recreate the Wheel Use specifications developed by other jurisdictions “Recycle” outreach materials – Stopwaste.org – Responsible Purchasing Network (RPN) – Department of General Services (DGS) EPP Best Practices guide – San Francisco’s Approved List – City of Richmond’s Environmentally Preferable Purchasing site –

Thank You! Questions Ofelia Alvarez City of Richmond, Finance Department Purchasing Division Tel: rd Annual Central Coast Sustainability Summit October 23, 2013