"Put it in writing."

Consider including environmental attributes as specifications in your bid solicitations or proposal requests. Here are some strategies other public agencies have used.

• Avoid using language that prohibits the purchase of environmentally preferable products.
  Example: Avoid specifications that require new equipment so that vendors are able to offer remanufactured items, such as auto parts, office furniture, and toner cartridges.
• Require recycled contentThe portion of a product that is made from materials diverted from the waste stream, usually stated as a percentage by weight. if adequate competition exists for a product that is readily available with recycled content.
  Example: Require 30% post-consumer recycled-content copy paper.
• If you are uncertain about the availability of a particular recycled-content product, you could instead give a preference to bids offering recycled content, or award additional points based on the level of recycled content offered in the bid or proposal.
  Example: You could award zero points for bids offering computer forms with no recycled content, five points for 10% recycled content, and 10 points for 30% recycled content.
• Eliminate over-specification without compromising performance. Allow alternatives that satisfy the end use. Specify product qualities that are critical to performance and leave other options open.
  Example: Avoid specifying clear plastic trash bags. Otherwise, you may eliminate recycled-content trash bags that are often darker or opaque in color, but perform just as well.
• Include environmental criteria - such as post-consumer recycled content, mercury-free, or Energy Star® compliance - for the product you want to purchase.
  Example: Specify the federal standardA characteristic or set of characteristics for an item, generally accepted by the manufacturers and users of the item as a required characteristic for all such items. of 25% post-consumer recycled content in a solicitation for re-refined oil. Similar standards exist for most of the products listed in this Guide, and are ready for you to use in your bid solicitations.
• Take into account the life-cycle costs of products, such as savings on maintenance, replacement, and disposal costs, which are not factored into the initial unit price.
  Example: Your evaluation criteria for bids offering plastic benches and tables could include price, durability, manufacture warrantyThe representations, either expressed or implied, that a certain fact regarding the subject matter of a contract is presently true or will be true. Not to be confused with "guarantee," which means a contract or promise by one person to answer for the performance of another person., required maintenance, recycled content, testing of product samples, and references.
• If packaging or containers are necessary, specify types that are refillable, returnable, or recyclable. Otherwise, specify that no packaging or container be provided.
• Require vendors to report your environmental purchases on a quarterly or annual basis so that your organization can track its progress, such as amount of recycled-content copy paper and file folders purchased. See Tracking Environmental Purchases for a copy of the Minnesota Department of Administration's sample tracking form.