United States
                         Environmental Protection
                         Agency
                      Solid Waste
                      and Emergency Response
                      (5306W)
                        2000  Buy-Recycled Series
                        Park  and  Recreation Products
                                                                  MRK& RECREATION
EcoPurchasing means
considering attributes
      such as
        "•»*
  recycled content
      toxicity
     reusability
     durability
    repairability
        -*.
        "•»"
   before you buy
     a product.
         Want to go the extra mile for your
         community? Buying recycled-content
         playground equipment and other
recreational products is cost-effective, easy to
do, and a good way to keep our outdoors green.
The same goes for your community's beaches.
You can protect  your sand dunes using plastic
fencing made from recovered plastics, an easy
and long-lasting solution for your shoreline.
  To make it easier to buy recycled, the U.S. Environmental
Protection Agency (EPA) updates the Comprehensive Procurement
Guidelines (CPG) every 2 years. Through the CPG, EPA designates
items that must  contain recycled materials when purchased by
federal, state, and local agencies, or by government contractors,
using appropriated federal funds. Among these items, EPA has
designated several park and recreation products. EPA's research
shows that the items designated in the CPG are of high quality,
widely available, and cost-competitive with virgin products. EPA
also issues a nonregulatory companion piece—the Recovered
Materials Advisory Notice (RMAN)—that recommends levels of
recycled-content for those items.
  If you specify or purchase park and recreation products, buying
recycled can turn the materials we collect for recycling into
budget-friendly products. Buying recycled isn't just good news for
our parks and recreational areas—it also strengthens the economy
by creating jobs  and supporting your local recycling businesses.
                            > Printed on paper that contains at least 30 percent postconsumer fiber.

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                      What Is The  CPG?
 The CPG
 requires
  federal
agencies to
 buy items
made from
 recovered
 materials.
      Recycling is more than just dropping
      off your cans, bottles, and
      newspapers at the curb or at a local
collection facility. Diverting recyclables
from the waste stream is only the first of
three steps in the recycling process. The
second step occurs when companies use
these recyclables to manufacture new
products. The third step comes when you
purchase products made from recovered
materials. That's how we close the loop.
   To support markets for the materials
collected in recycling programs and to
help these programs expand, the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act requires
agencies to buy recycled-content products
designated by EPA. In addition, President
Clinton  signed Executive Order 13101 in
September 1998, which called for an
increase in the federal government's use of
recycled-content and  other environmental-
ly preferable products.
   Issued in May 1995, the first CPG
designated 19 new products, including
playground surfaces and running tracks,
and incorporated five previously
designated items in seven product
categories. Procuring agencies are
required to purchase  these items with
recycled content. The first CPG update
(CPG II) was published in November
1997, and designated an additional 12
products, including plastic fencing.  A
second CPG update (CPG III) was
published in January 2000 and designated
an additional 18 products, including park
benches and picnic tables and
playground equipment.
   Procuring agencies include all federal
agencies, and any state or local
government agency or government
contractor that uses appropriated federal
funds to purchase the designated items. If
your agency spends more than $10,000
per year on a product designated in the
CPG, you are required to purchase it with
the highest recycled-content level
practicable. The CPG also applies to lease
contracts covering designated items.
   Once designated, an agency has 1 year to
develop an affirmative procurement
program (or revise an existing one) for a
designated item it purchases. By May 1,
1996, agencies were required to develop
affirmative procurement programs to
incorporate buy-recycled requirements for
playground surfaces and running tracks. By
November 13, 1998, agencies were required
to revise their affirmative procurement
program to incorporate plastic fencing.
Agencies also must revise their affirmative
procurement programs to add the items
designated under CPG III by January 19,
2001. This effort might involve reviewing
specifications for those products and
eliminating provisions that pose barriers to
procuring them with recycled content (such
as aesthetic requirements unrelated to
product performance).
   The CPG acknowledges, however, that
specific circumstances might arise that
preclude the purchase of products made
with recovered materials. Your agency
may purchase designated items that do
not contain recovered materials it
determines that: 1) the price of a given
designated item made with recovered
materials is unreasonably high, 2) there is
inadequate competition (not enough
sources of supply), 3) unusual and
unreasonable delays would result from
obtaining the item, or 4) the recycled-
content item does not meet an agency's
reasonable performance specifications.

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                                                                n
How Do I Purchase Recycled-Content Park  & Recreation Products?
       EPA also issues guidance in RMANs, which
       are designed to make it as easy as possible
       to buy the designated items. The RMANs
 recommend recycled-content levels to look for
 when purchasing park and recreation products, as
 shown in the table on the following page. Follow-
 ing the RMANs' recommended levels will help
 ensure your affirmative procurement program and
 standards meet the buy-recycled requirements.
    Rather than specifying just one level of recycled
 content, the RMANs recommend ranges that
reflect actual market conditions. The recommen-
dations are based on market research identifying
recycled-content products that are commercially
available, are competitively priced, and meet
buyers' quality standards.
   Refer to EPA's availability list entitled "Park and
Recreation Products Containing Recovered
Materials" for sources of the designated park and
recreation items. See the last section of this fact
sheet for this and other helpful resources.
        CASE STUDY: The White House
    In March 1993, President Clinton seized the
    concept of recycling and ran with it by
    installing a 5-foot-wide, nearly quarter-mile
    running track encircling the South Lawn of
    the White House. The running track was
    resurfaced with 13 tons of material made
    from recycled scrap tires (about 13,000 tires),
    with material and labor donated to the White
    House. Users report that the track provides a
    much improved running surface that is safe,
    attractive, and requires little maintenance.
    For more information, contact the Office of
    the Federal Environmental Executive at
    202  260-1297.
   CASE STUDY: City of West Palm Beach,
                   Florida
   The city of West Palm Beach, Florida,
   realized that children and the environment
   are its two most important resources. With
   this in mind, since 1995 the city has been
   purchasing a loose-fill rubber playground
   surface made from recycled scrap tires. The
   city is extremely satisfied with its
   performance and finds it clean, durable, and
   cost-effective. The softer material creates an
   air cushion that absorbs impact, which
   reduces the risk of injuries. Due to its
   resilience and low maintenance
   requirements, the city predicts that it won't
   have to be replaced as often as mulch or
   sand. In fact, the durability of the material
   was tested several years ago when a
   hurricane hit the area, bringing torrential
   rains and 125 mile-per-hour winds. Despite
   these extreme conditions, the surface suffered
   no damage. For more information, contact
   Robert Mitch of the city of West Palm Beach
   at  561 659-8044.

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How Do I Purchase Recycled-Content Park & Recreation Products? (Continued)
  EPA's Recommended Content Levels for Park & Recreation Products
      Park & Recreation Product1       Recovered Material Content2
     Park Benches & Picnic Tables:
      —Plastic3
      —Plastic Composites
      —Aluminum
      —Concrete
      —Steel4

      Plastic Fencing for Specified Uses5
      Playground Equipment
      —Plastic3
      —Plastic Composites
      —Steel4

      —Aluminum
      Playground Surfaces:
      —Plastic or Rubber
      Running Tracks:
      —Plastic or Rubber
90-100% (postconsumer)/100% (total]
50-100% (postconsumer)/100% (total]
25% (postconsumer]
15-40% (total)
16% (postconsumer)/25-30% (total)
67% (postconsumer)/100% (total)
60-100% (postconsumer)/90-100%  (total)

90-100% (postconsumer)/100% (total)
50-75% (postconsumer)/95-100% (total)
16% (postconsumer)/25-30% (total)
67% (postconsumer)/100% (total)
25% (postconsumer)/25% (total)

90-100% (postconsumer)

90-100% (postconsumer)
 1  EPAjs recommendations do not preclude a procuring agency from purchasing these items manufactured from another material.
   They simply require that a procuring agency purchase these items made with recovered materials when these items meet
   applicable specifications and performance requirements. Federal agency installations of these products must comply with
   applicable state or local construction codes, as well as standards set by the Consumer Safety Commission and the Americans
   with Disabilities Act.
 2  The recommended recovered materials content levels are based on the dry weight of the raw materials, exclusive of any
   additives such as adhesives, binders, or coloring agents.
 3  "Plastic" includes both single and mixed plastic resins. Park benches and picnic tables made with recovered plastic may also
   contain other recovered materials such as sawdust, wood, or fiberglass. The percentage of these materials contained in the
   product would also count toward the recovered materials content level of the item.
 4  The recommended recovered materials content levels for steel in this table reflect the fact that the designated items can be
   made from steel manufactured from either a Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) or an Electric Arc Furnace (EAF). Steel from the
   EOF process contains 25-30% total recovered materials, of which 16% is postconsumer steel. Steel from the EAF process
   contains a total of 100% recovered steel, of which 67% is postconsumer.
 5  Designation includes fencing containing recovered plastic for use in controlling snow or sand drifting and as a warning/safety
   barrier in construction or other applications.

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How Can  I Get More Information?
           Information Available
           From EPA
           This fact sheet and the following publications on
           buying recycled-content products are available or
can be accessed in electronic format on the Internet at
. Use Internet e-mail to order paper copies of
documents. Include the requestor's name and mailing address on
all orders. Address e-mail to: rcra-docket@epamail.epa.gov.
Paper copies also may  be ordered by calling the RCRA Hotline.
Callers within the Washington Metropolitan Area must dial  703
412-9810 or TDD 703 412-3323 (hearing impaired). Long-
distance callers may call 800 424-9346 or TDD 800 553-7672.
The RCRA Hotline operates weekdays, from 9:00 a.m. to 6:00
p.m., e.s.t.
* EPA Expands Comprehensive Procurement Guideline
   (CPG) (EPA 530-F-00-017). This factsheet provides general
   information about the CPG and the development of affirmative
   procurement programs.
* Federal Register (FR) notices promulgating CPG I (60  FR
   21370/EPA530-Z-95-006) and RMAN  I (60 FR                 *
   21386/EPA530-Z-95-007), May 1, 1995.  FR notices
   promulgating CPG II (62 FR 60961/EPA530-Z-97-009) and
   RMAN II (62 FR 60975/EPA530-Z-97-010), November 13,
   1997. FR notices promulgating CPG III (65 FR 3070) and
   RMAN III (65 FR 3082), January 19, 2000.
* Park and Recreation Products Containing Recovered
   Materials (EPA530-B-99-009). This list identifies manufac-
   turers and suppliers  of playground surfaces, running tracks,     «•»
   and plastic fencing containing recovered materials. (Each
   listing is based on information provided by the manufacturer
   and does not constitute an endorsement by EPA.)
* A Study of State and Local Government Procurement
   Practices that Consider Environmental Performance  of
   Goods and Services (EPA742-R-96-007). This report
   provides important program elements and case studies of state
   and county agencies purchasing environmentally preferable
   products and services. For a copy of the report or more
   information on EPA's Environmentally Preferable Purchasing
   (EPP) program, contact the  Pollution Prevention Information     «•»
   Clearinghouse at 401 M Street, SW. (7409), Washington, DC
   20460. Phone: 202 260-1023. Fax: 202 260-4659. Visit the
   EPP Web site at .


             Other Sources of Information    *
             * Buy Recycled Business Alliance. The
             Alliance includes over 3,200 companies and
             organizations committed to increasing their use of
             recycled-content products  and materials in their
   day-to-day operations. The Alliance offers educational
   materials, a quarterly newsletter, and product-specific guides.    *
   Public purchasing entities can join for free. For more
   information, contact Kevin Barry, National Recycling Coalition,
   1727  King Street, Suite 105, Alexandria, VA 22314-2720.
   Phone: 703 683-9025, Ext. 210. Fax: 703 683-9026.
Web site: www.nrc-recycle.org
E-mail: brbainfo@nrc-recycle.org
U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). GSA
publishes various supply catalogs, guides, and schedules for
recycled-content products available through the Federal
Supply Service. For copies of the following two documents
and other publications, contact GSA, Centralized  Mailing List
Service (7CAFL), 4900 Hemphill Street, P.O. Box 6477, Fort
Worth, TX 76115-9939. Phone: 817 334-5215. Fax: 817 334-
5561.  You can also access GSA Advantage!, GSA's Internet-
based online ordering system, to order any GSA product at
.
 — Park and Outdoor Recreational Equipment, Federal
   Supply Schedule Group 78, Part 1, Schedule C,
   Classes 7830. Lists a variety of park and recreation
   products available for purchase.
 — Environmental Products Guide. This guide is designed
   to  help procurement officials identify environmentally
   preferable products and services. It contains nearly 3,000
   items, including many recycled-content products.
 National Association of State Purchasing Officials
 (NASPO). NASPO's Internet-based Database of Recycled
 Commodities (DRC) includes information from states on their
 recycled  product procurement. Data include product
 distributors, manufacturers, brand  names,  recycled and
 postconsumer content, "Energy Star" rating, units purchased,
 unit of measurement, unit price, and type of procurement. Visit
 the NASPO Web site at .
 Greening the Government: A Guide to Implementing
 Executive Order 12873. This guide provides detailed
 information  on establishing and implementing federal
 affirmative procurement plans. Updated in the summer of
 1997, it is available without charge from the Office of the
 Federal Environmental Executive, Ariel Rios Building, Mail
 Code 1600S, 1200  Pennsylvania Avenue, NW., Washington,
 DC 20460. Phone: 202 564-1297. Fax: 202 564-1393.
 Web site: www.ofee.gov
 You can also download an electronic version  on the Internet
 at .
 Official Recycled Products Guide. This  directory lists more
 than 5,000 manufacturers and distributors of recycled-content
 products. Contact: Recycling Data Management  Corporation,
 P.O. Box 577, Ogdensburg, NY 13669. Phone: 800 267-0707.
 Fax: 315471-3258.
 Recycled Plastic Products Source Book. This  booklet lists
 more than 1,300 plastic products from approximately 300
 manufacturers. For more information, call the American
 Plastics Council (APC), 1801 K Street,  NW., Suite 7010,
 Washington, DC 20006.  Phone: 202 974-5400. Fax: 202  296-
 7119. Visit the APC Web site at .
 Recycled Rubber Products Catalog. This catalog lists
 products manufactured from recovered rubber and provides
 information  on how to obtain them. For more  information,
 contact the  Scrap Tire Management Council,  1400 K Street,
 NW.,  Suite 900, Washington, DC 20005. Phone:  202 682-
 4880. Fax: 202 682-4854.

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How Can I Get More Information? (Continued)
                Internet Sites

                Government Sites
                * The Comprehensive Procurement
                Guidelines: . This site
   describes EPA's effort to facilitate the procurement of
   products containing recovered materials,  including information
   on CPG, RMANs, and the Buy-Recycled  Series.
   Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP):
   . EPA's Environmentally Preferable
   Purchasing program encourages and assists federal agencies
   to purchase environmentally preferable products and
   services. The site explains EPA's proposed guiding principles
   for including environmental performance in purchasing
   decision-making, and posts case studies  of successful pilot
   projects in both the public and private sectors.
   Federal Trade Commission:
   . The Federal
   Trade Commission issued Guides for the  Use of
   Environmental Marketing Claims in  May 1998.
   The Fedmarket Procurement Assistance Jumpstation:
   . This
   site contains links to many sites containing procurement
   information.
   Jobs Through Recycling: . EPA's Jobs
   Through Recycling program stimulates economic growth and
   recycling market development by assisting businesses and
   supporting a network of state and regional recycling  contacts.
   This Web site provides information on financing and technical
   assistance for recycling businesses, as well as other market
   development tools.
*  King County Recycled Product Procurement Program:
   . This site describes
   the tools and techniques developed by King County,
   Washington, agencies for purchasing recycled products.
*  Municipal Solid Waste: . This site
   includes information on recycling, source reduction, and reuse.
   Contains state municipal solid waste data and the latest facts
   and figures on waste generation and disposal.
*  WasteWise: . WasteWise is a free,
   voluntary EPA program through which organizations eliminate
   costly municipal solid waste, benefitting their bottom line and
   the environment. The program provides hands-on assistance
   to members to help them  purchase or manufacture recycled-
   content products, prevent waste, and recycle solid waste
   materials.

Product Information
*  Recycling Data Network Information Services:
   . This commercial Web site
   provides access, on a subscription basis, to a recycled-
   content products database of over 4,500 listings in 700
   product classifications. It also provides a reference library and
   a newsletter. Managed by the publisher of the Official
   Recycled Products Guide, the product database is considered
   to be the largest of its kind.
*  California Recycled-Content Product Database:
   . This site contains information on
   why to buy recycled-content products, how to procure them,
   and provides access to a  database with information on
   products, as well as manufacturers, distributors, reprocessors,
   mills, and converters  across the country who procure  or
   produce these products.
                                                                 In addition, contact your state solid waste management
                                                               agency for information about local and regional businesses
                                                                  that produce or distribute recycled-content products.
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