1. U.S. Communities A National Purchasing Program A non-profit instrumentality of government that assists local and state government agencies, school districts (K-12), higher education, and nonprofits in reducing the cost of purchased goods through pooling the purchasing power of public agencies nationwide. This is accomplished through competitively solicited contracts for quality products through lead public agencies.

2. Founding Co-Sponsors Association of School Business Officials International (ASBO) National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP) National Association of Counties (NACo) National League of Cities (NLC) United States Conference of Mayors (USCM)

3. The Advisory Board City of Charlotte/Mecklenburg Cnty NC Cobb County, GA Dallas County, TX Davis Joint Unified School District, CA City and County of Denver, CO Fairfax County, VA Great Valley School District, PA Harford County Public Schools, MD Hennepin County, MN School Dist of Hillsborough County, FL City of Seattle, WA North Carolina State University NC City of Houston, TX City of Los Angeles, CA Los Angeles County, CA Maricopa County, AZ Miami-Dade County/Public Health Trust, FL City of San Antonio, TX San Diego Unified School District, CA Wichita Public Schools, KS Detroit Public Schools, MI Emory University, GA Public Procurement Professionals Advisory Board Program Purchases Over $110 Million in 2006

4. Total Program Purchases

5. Eligible Agencies K-12 Cities Counties Special Districts Universities/Colleges Nonprofits State Agencies

6. Public Agency Value  Competitively solicited contract by a lead public agency  No cost to agencies to participate  No minimum spending requirements  Optional and non-exclusive contracts  Best government pricing

8. Offering Earth-friendly products in the following categories: Office & School Supplies Office Furniture Janitorial Supplies Electrical & Data Communications Technology Products Office Machines School Furniture Turf Auto Parts Maintenance, Repairs & Operating Supplies Public Safety Roofing Park & Playground Equipment Homeland Security Lab Supplies

9. Contract Green Highlights  All: U.S. Communities reporting  Office & School Supplies (Office Depot) over 2,400 green products, green book, EPEAT products, Free ink and toner recycling, remanufactured cartridges  Office Furniture (Haworth, Herman Miller, Knoll, KI) Greenguard, LEED credits and programs  School Furniture (Virco) Greenguard, LEED for schools credits, Take- Back program  Cleaning (Zep) Green Seal and Eco Logo products, Biodegradable, soy-based solvents  Lighting, Electrical & Data Comm (Graybar) Energy Star, recycling program, LED street lights (see energy solution guide)

10. Contract Green Highlights  Technology Products & Solutions (TechDepot & GTSI) EPEAT products, Energy Star products  Auto Parts (AutoZone) certified re-refined oil, exclusive bio-based spill absorbent, oil recycling  Office Machines (Ricoh, Savin, IKON) EPEAT, Energy Star, recycling and equipment de-manufacturing  Maintenance, Repair and Operations (The Home Depot, HD Supply Facilities) EcoOptions: certifications in sustainable forestry, energy efficiency, water conservation, low VOC, etc.  Roofing (HCS) green roofs and solar systems meeting LEED, CRRC  Synthetic Turf & Athletic Surfaces (GSV/Astroturf) BioCel backing system, low VOC

11. Valuable Resources

15. Solutions

19. Search Function

20. Search Function Result

22. Supplier Information Awards Company Environmental Practices Initiatives Green Product Listings

24. Cooperative Contracts Concept Add new products instead of soliticing Office Depot’s Green Substitution Program Increase green sales and decrease costs LA: increase 10%, savings 5% ($290,000) Hennepin: Doubled their green spend from 24% to 48% and decreased their cost by 10% Graybar’s lighting recycling and audit programs Virco’s school furniture take-back program Office Depot’s cartridge recycling program and remanufactured cartridges Ask your vendors for alternatives and options Savings Opportunities

25. Sharing

26. www.gogreencommunities.org www.uscommunities.org Connie Kuranko 925-280-4386 ckuranko@uscommunities.org