&ER&
Office of Administratioi n
Resources Management
(3204)
EPA200-R-95-001
August 1995
Environmental
Procurement Strategy
EPA's Action Plan for Implementing
Executive Order 12873 on Federal
Acquisition, Recycling, and
Waste Prevention
CLEANERS
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Contents
Page Number
Preface: The Purpose of This Document 1
Part 1: Introduction and Background 2
Summary of E.G. 12873 Requirements 4
Cross Reference of Recent Environmental Executive Order Requirements 8
Part 2: Agency Affirmative Procurement Activities and Plans to Implement Executive Order 12873 9
E.O. Section
302 Agency Environmental Executive 10
Strengthen Existing Infrastructure
Education and Outreach
401 Acquisition Planning 11
402 Affirmative Procurement Programs 11
501 Specifications Review and Revisions 11
502 Comprehensive Procurement Guideline and Recovered Material Advisory Notice 20
503 Guiding Principles for Environmentally Preferable Products and Services 21
504 Paper Minimum Content Standards 22
505 Brightness Specifications 22
506(b) Re-Refined Oil and Retread Tires 22
601 Waste Prevention and Recycling Goals 23
602 Procurement Goals 11
701 Contractor Compliance for Government-Owned or Leased Facilities 14
702 Acquisition and Management of Federal Buildings (Green Buildings Initiatives) 14
704 Model Facilities Demonstration Programs 14
705 Waste Prevention and Recycling Programs 23
802 Internal Awards Program 26
903 Federal Acquisition Regulation 26
Part 3: EPAs Leadership Role with Other Federal Agencies and Private Organizations 27
Attachments: 29
A Executive Order 12873 A-l
B Environmental Procurement Strategy Implementation Highlights B-l
C EPAs Energy and Water Conservation Program C-l
D Key EPA Environmental Procurement Contacts D-l
E Resources E-l
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concerned consumer.
President Bill Clinton
Executive Order 12873
October 20,1993
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^i^^^ll^HHBI
EPA's Environmental
procurement Strategy
'REFACE:
_ The Purpose of This Document
ta October 20,1993, President Clinton signed Executive Order
2873 on Federal Acquisition, Recycling, and Waste Prevention.
- mong other things, die Executive Order directs federal agencies
purchase recycled and environmentally preferable products
id services.
EPA, with its mission of environmental protection, has impor-
rat responsibilities under Executive Order 12873. This docu-
ent describes EPA's action plan to implement its responsi-
_ ilities and to achieve mandated procurement goals. It outlines
>ecific strategies that the Agency has already undertaken and
tose that it plans to initiate to improve its environmental pro-
_nrement performance.
Consistent with the letter and intent of Executive Order
2873, EPA is committed to maximizing procurement of recycled
intent and other environmentally preferable products and services
in all procurements, from small purchases to major acquisitions.
c By summarizing the many current and planned procurement
implementation activities at EPA, this Environmental Procure-
ment Strategy can serve as a tool to help all Agency managers
coordinate and streamline their related efforts, and to help other
federal agencies that'are pursuing similar goals. Key reference
documents underpinning EPA's activities and a list of helpful
resources are included as appendices.
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PART
1
Government
Purchasing
Mandates for
Recycled Products
^^^^^M
Introduction and
Background
Under Section 6002 of the Resource Conservation and Recovery
Act (RCRA), Congress provided a mechanism to increase govern-
ment purchases of recycled products. These purchases, in turn,
help to stimulate markets for materials recovered from solid
waste by using the government's purchasing power.
On October 20, 1993, President Clinton issued Executive
Order 12873 on Federal Acquisition, Recycling, and Waste
Prevention. Applicable to all Executive Branch agencies, it reaf-
firms and strengthens the affirmative procurement requirements
contained in RCRA and assigns specific additional regulatory
responsibilities to EPA.
EPAs Statutory
Responsibilities
Under RCRA
PROCUREMENT
RCRA Section 6002 requires EPA to designate products that ca.n
be made with recovered materials and to recommend practices
for procuring them. Once EPA designates a procurement item or
product category, procuring agencies are required to buy the item
with the highest recovered materials content level practicable.
Prior to 1995, EPA issued five procurement guidelines for
paper and paper products, re-refined lubricating oil, retread tires,
building insulation, and cement and concrete made with fly ash.
These "designated items" have been the focus of EPA's buy recy-
cled efforts over the past several years. On May 1,1995, EPA
designated an additional 19 items. The Agency's buy recycled
efforts now extend to procurement of these items.
In addition, on March 15,1995, EPA issued draft revised rec-
ommendations for the recovered materials content of paper.
These are addressed further on page 23.
Responsibility for complying with RCRA Section 6002 rests
with the procuring agencies that purchase designated items. They
must revise their specifications and develop an affirmative pro-
curement program that sets forth the agency's policies and proce-
dures for implementing the RCRA requirements. The affirmative
procurement program must contain at least four elements:
A recovered materials preference program.
An agency promotion program.
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TRAFFIC CONES
A requirement that vendors estimate and certify the recovered
materials content of their products, and reasonable verification
of those estimates and certifications by procuring agencies.
A program to monitor and annually review the effectiveness
of the affirmative procurement program.
In addition to complying with its statutory requirement to
4esignate procurement items and issue guidelines, EPA is provid-
ing technical assistance to federal agencies to help them design
and implement their own affirmative procurement programs. EPA
also conduces ongoing public information and outreach through
the RCRA Hotline to explain the procurement guidelines and to
facilitate their implementation. The Agency responds to requests
for information from the full range of stakeholder interests,
including federal procuring agencies, state and local govern-
ments, contractors, grantees, manufacturers and vendors of desig-
nated items, and the general public.
EPA's
Responsibilities
Under Executive
Order 12873
Executive Order 12873 set forth procedures for EPA to follow in
implementing Section 6002 of RCRA. It requires, the Agency to
designate items in a Comprehensive Procurement Guideline
(CPG) and to recommend procurement practices in a related
Recovered Material Advisory Notice (RMAN). It also requires
EPA to develop guiding principles for agencies to use in purchas-
ing environmentally preferable products. In addition, EPA also
has responsibilities as a procuring agency, such as appointing an
Environmental Executive, reviewing and revising specifications,
and reporting to the Federal Environmental Executive.
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EXECUTIVE ORDER 12873
SUMMARY OF FEDERAL AGENCY REQUIREMENTS
Section
Action
Action Office
Timeframe
301 (a)
Designate a Federal
Environmental
Executive (FEE) who has
responsibility to coordinate Federal
implementation of the
E.O.
Submit a report to OMB on Federal
compliance with the provisions of
the E.O.
Required of President
Clinton
Not specified
Required of the FEE
At the time of the
Agency's budget
submission
301 (b)
Appoint one full-time employee from
specified agencies to assist the FEE
Required of EPA, DOD,
GSA, and one other
agency on a rotating basis
Not specified
301 (c)
Provide personnel to support duties of
the FEE (e.g., participate in work
groups and committees established
under Section 301 (d))
Requested of all agencies
Not specified
301 (d)
Establish workgroups and committees
that recommend actions to fulfill
the FEE'S goals
Required of the FEE
Not specified
302
Designate an Agency Environmental
Executive at a level no lower than at
the Deputy Assistant Secretary level
or equivalent to coordinate all agency
environmental programs in
procurement, facilities management,
and logistics support and to ensure
compliance with the E.O,
Required of each Executive
Department and major
procuring agency
Within 90 days
(January 18,1994)
401
Consider environmental factors in
acquisition planning
Required of all agencies,
including program and
acquisition managers
Not specified
402
Develop and implement affirmative
procurement programs (APP) and
procure existing EPA guideline items
Required of all agencies
Not specified
402(a)
Revise internal programs to incorporate
new items designated by EPA
guidelines
Required of all agencies
Within 1 year of the
new item
designation
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Section
Action
Action Office
Timeframe
402(b)
Agencies shall ensure that APPs
require that 100% of purchases meet
or exceed EPA guideline standards
Required of all agencies
Not specified
402(c)
Track agency pure lases of guideline
items and submit a report to the FEE
on agency purchases of guideline items
Required of the Agency
Environmental Executives
Not specified
402(d)
Include provisions in contracts and
grants that require deliverables to be
printed double-sided on recycled paper
meeting or exceeding EPA standards
Required of all agencies
Not specified
403
Establish and implement an APP
covering existing EPA guideline items
Required of all agencies
Within 90 days
(January 18,1994)
404
Develop an electronic acquisition system
Implement an electronic acquisition
system
Required of OFPP and
file President's Council on
Management (PMC) as
recommended by the
National Performance
H6VI6W
Required of all agencies
Not specified
At the direction of
OFPP and PMC
501
Review and revise specifications to
include preferences for recycled and
environmentally-preferable products
Report to the FEE on agency
compliance with this section
Required of all agencies
Required of all agencies
Annually
502
Propose Comprehensive Procurement
Guideline and Recovered Material ,
Advisory Notice designating recycled
items and recommending practices for
procuring those items
Required of EPA
Within 180 days
(April 18,1994)
and annual updates
thereafter
503(a)
Propose guiding principles for
purchasing environmentally preferable
products
Required of I
Within 180 days
(April 18,1994)
503(b)
Modify agency procurement programs
to use EPA guidance on environmentally
preferable products to the maximum
extent practicable
Required of all agencies
Upon issuance of EPA
guidance
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Section
Action
Action Office
Timeframe
504
Begin procuring printing and writing
paper containing minimum
postconsumer or recovered materials
content specified in the E.O.:
Any level of postconsumer materials
or 50% recovered materials that are by-
products of a finished product other than
paper or textiles;
20% postconsumer materials for
uncoated commodity grades and 50/20%
for uncoated non-commodity grades;
or 50% recovered materials; and
30% postconsumer materials for
uncoated commodity grades and
50/30% for uncoated non-commodity
grades; or 50% recovered materials
Required of all agencies
ing on the
following schedule:
Immediately
December 31,1994
December 31,1998
504(c)(2)
Implement waste prevention techniques
so that annual expenditures for recycled
content printing and writing paper
do not exceed current annual budgets
Required of all agencies
Not specified
505
Revise brightness specifications to
eliminate barriers to purchasing paper
products made by production processes
that minimize the emission of harmful
byproducts
Required of GSA in
consultation with the
Joint Committee on
Printing and other
agencies
Within six months
(April 20,1993)
506
Begin procuring re-refined lubricating
oil and retread tires for agency fleet
vehicles
Required of all agencies
Within 180 days
(April 18,1994)
507
Establish a program for testing recycled
products and publish appropriate reports
Gather information on life cycle analyses
to assist agencies in selecting
environmentally preferable products
and services
Required of NIST
Required of NIST,
in consultation with EPA
and other public and
private organizations
Not specified
Not specified
601
Establish goals for solid waste prevention
and recycling to be achieved by 1995,
and submit to the FEE
Required of all agencies
Within 180 days
(April 18,1994) and
report progress
against goals annually
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Section
Action
Action Office
Timeframe
602
Establish a goal for increasing the
procurement of recycled and
environmentally preferable products
Required of all agencies
Annually
603
Periodically review agency APPs
and reporting procedures
Required of all agency
Inspectors General
At the request of the
President's Council on
Integrity and Efficiency
701
Include provisions for compliance with
Executive Order requirements in new
contracts for contractor operation of
government-owned or -leased facilities;
also include in existing contracts where
economically feasible
Required of all agencies
Effective immediately
(October 20,1993)
702
Ensure compliance with provisions of
the Executive Order in the acquisition
and management of federally-owned
and leased space and in the
construction of new federal buildings
Required of all agencies
Within 90 days
(January 18,1994)
703
Develop a legislative proposal providing
authority for agencies to retain proceeds
generated from recycling and waste
prevention programs
Required of GSA
Within 90 days
(January 18,1994)
704
Establish model facility demonstration
programs that include waste prevention
and procurement of recycled and other
environmentally preferable products
using electronic acquisition
Required of each
Executive Department
and major procuring
agency
Not specified
705
Initiate a program to promote cost-
effective waste prevention and recycling
in ail facilities that is compatible with
state and local recycling requirements
Required of all agencies
Not specified
801
Develop agency awards program for
environmental innovation
Required of the
White House
Annually
802
Develop internal agency awards
program for environmental innovation
Required of all agencies
Not specified
903
Incorporate E.O. requirements into the Not specified
Federal Acquisition Regulation, including!
direction and guidance on agency
affirmative procurement programs
Within 180 days
(April 18,1994)
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Related
Environmental
In 1993 and 1994, the President also signed several other Executive
Orders and Executive Memoranda related to environmental manage-
ment within federal facilities, covering energy, water conservation, and
Executive Orders pollution prevention. Some of the requirements of these Executive
Orders overlap with those in Executive Order 12873. For that reason,
some of EPA's implementation activities respond to more than one
presidential mandate. Therefore, in the development of this Environ-
mental Procurement Strategy, EPA has taken an integrated systems
approach to ensure that these interrelated Executive Order mandates
are covered.
Cross Reference of
Recent Environmental Executive Order Requirements
Common
Requirements
Review and
Revise
Documents
(Specs, STDs,
etc.)
FAR Changes
Contract
Language
Life Cycle
Concepts
Acquisition/
Procurement
Policy
Goals
Annual Reporting
Awards
E012856
Augusts, 1993
Right-to-Know &
Pollution
Prevention
Section
3-303(b)
Section 3-303(c)
Section 1-104
Section 4-404
Sections 3-301,
3-303(a)
Sections 3-301,
3-303(a)
Sections 4-402,
5-507
E012873
October 20, 1993
Acquisition,
Recycling &
Waste Prevention
Sections 401,
501,505,506
Section 903
Section 701
Section 401
Sections 401 -404,
502-504, 701-702
Sections 601, 602
Sections 301, 501.
601
Sections 801, 802
EO12902
March 8, 1994
Energy Efficiency
& Water
Conservation
Section 507(d)
Section 306(c)
Sections 306, 309
Section 501 (d),
507
Section 303
Section 308
Section 504
E012843
April 21, 1993
Ozone Depleting
Substances
Sections 4(a)&(b)
Sections
Sections 3, 4(c)
Section 1, 3, & 4
Sections
(One Time)
E012844
April 21, 1993
Alternative
Fuel Vehicles
Section 2(c)
Section 1
Sections 142
Section 6
E012845
Aprl21,1993
Energy
Efficient
Computers
Section 1(b)
Section 1(b)
Section 2
Section 1(d)
8
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PART
2
EPA Leads the
Federal Buy
Recycled Effort
Agency Affirmative
Procurement Activities
and Plans to Implement
Executive Order 12873
Given the Agency's mission of environmental protection, it is no
surprise that over the past several years, EPA has been leading
federal government efforts in recycling, waste prevention, and pro-
curement of recycled and environmentally preferable products.
In June 1992, EPA helped sponsor the Government Buy
Recycled Products Trade Fair and Showcase. More than 200 recy-
cled product distributors and manufacturers participated. Over
3,000 individuals from federal agencies, state governments, and
universities came to learn about these innovative products and
their purchase by the federal government.
Since a significant portion of the federal waste stream is
paper, EPA has stressed the purchase of recycled paper since
1989, when the paper procurement guideline was first imple-
mented. The Agency worked closely with the U.S. Government
Printing Office (GPO) and the U.S. General Services
Administration (GSA) to ensure that the paper EPA uses not only
meets, but exceeds recovered material content recommendations.
In fact, EPA was the first federal agency to achieve 100 per-
cent compliance with the RCRA requirement that all documents
and other paper materials be printed on recycled paper. In 1989
and 1990, three separate EPA Orders (numbers EP52.210-150,
EP52.210-155, and EP52.210-160) required that all grantees and
contractors use recycled paper and double-sided copying for all
reports submitted to the Agency. These orders exceed require-
ments published in the Federal Acquisition Regulations (FAR) in
May, 1995.
In FY 1995, EPA's headquarters supply store sold over $1
million worth of goods, 41 percent of which were recycled-con-
tent products. The Agency's goal in FY 1996 is to increase recy-
cled products procurement by 10 percent, working toward the
ultimate goal of procuring as many designated recycled-content
items and environmentally preferable products as possible.The
following section of this Environmental Procurement Strategy
summarizes Agency accomplishments and future plans to imple-
ment Executive Order 12873.
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E.G. SECTION 302:
Appoint Environmental Executive
Strengthen Existing Infrastructure
Conduct Agency Education and Outreach
EPA Appointed an
Agency
Environmental
Executive
Jonathan Z. Cannon, EPA's General Counsel, was appointed
EPA's Environmental Executive. He is working closely with the
Federal Environmental Executive to coordinate all Agency efforts
in the areas of environmental procurement and acquisition, stan-
dards and specifications review, facilities management, waste
prevention, and recycling. He also represents EPA on an intera-
gency work group to develop an awareness and outreach program
for the private sector to facilitate market development for envi-
ronmentally preferable and recycled products and services, to
promote new technologies, and to improve awareness about fed-
eral efforts in this area. In addition, he is responsible for stan-
dardizing EPA reports and for reviewing Agency programs and
acquisitions to ensure compliance with Executive Order 12873.
EPAs Waste
Reduction and
Recycling
Coordinators
Support
Implementation
EPA's existing Headquarters Waste Prevention and Recycling
Committee (WPRC), chaired jointly by OARM and OSW, along
with the recycling coordinators in all headquarters offices,
regional offices, and laboratories, comprise an existing infrastruc-
ture ready to support intensified procurement initiatives. A list
of these individuals is included in the appendix to this report.
EPA Will Conduct
Internal and
External Outreach
and Education
Waste reduction and recycling coordinators will continue to play
a key role in the Agency's implementation efforts and in educat-
ing other federal agencies. EPA's Office of Administration and
Resources Management will conduct outreach programs, includ-
ing instructional materials, video-conferencing, workshops,
brochures, and focus groups. EPA is currently participating in a
workgroup with GSA to develop a computer-based training pro-
gram about waste reduction and recycling that will be made
available to all government agencies.
10
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E.G. SECTIONS:
401 Acquisition Planning
402 Affirmative Procurement Programs
501'Review and Revise Specifications
602 Goals for Increasing Procurement of Recycled and
Environmentally Preferable Products
EPA Formed the
Affirmative
Procurement Action
Team
The Affirmative Procurement Action Team (APAT) was created
in March 1994, to oversee the implementation of Executive Order
12873 requirements in Agency policy and practice. APAT has
been responsible for setting goals, coordinating various ad hoc
pollution prevention efforts throughout the Agency, and provid-
ing leadership to all federal agencies for the purchase of recycled
content and other environmentally preferable products.
During FY 1994/95, APAT developed EPA's affirmative pro-
curement strategy, set realistic and attainable goals, and outlined
plans to conduct education and outreach both within EPA and for
other agencies. The plan, as described in this document, is also
intended to serve as a blueprint for the Administrator's policy
directives.
APAT includes Agency representatives who are involved in
procurement policy development and acquisition of goods and
services from the following offices:
Office of Administration and Resource Management (OARM)
Facilities Management & Services Division (FMSD)
Safety Health & Environmental Management Division
(SHEMD)
Office of Grants & Debarment (OGD)
Office of Acquisitions Management (OAM)
Office of Solid Waste (OSW)
Office of Pollution Prevention (OPP)
Office of General Counsel (OGC)
EPA Regions and Laboratories
Chaired by the Agency's Waste Prevention and Recycling
Coordinator, APAT held meetings between March and October
1994. At one of their first meetings, APAT members realized that
a large number of ad hoc efforts were already underway in vari-
ous program and administrative offices to improve EPA's envi-
ronmental procurement performance. APAT~meetings have
served as a forum for sharing and coordinating those efforts.
11
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EPA Is
Implementing
Environmental
Procurement in
Contracts
They have also provided an opportunity for the group to inter-
face with other key federal procuring agencies, such as GSA.
APAT members have taken a fresh and critical look at the
way the Agency obtains goods and services. After gathering infor-
mation on EPA's purchasing successes and challenges, APAT
identified four specific areas on which to focus future efforts:
Environmental acquisition in EPA Contracts
Environmental acquisition in EPA Grants
Environmental Procurement and Demonstration Projects
through "green building" Initiatives
Special Projects
With direct involvement of EPA's Office of Acquisition
Management, the Agency has begun the complex process of
extending environmental procurement requirements to contractors.
All documents relating to Agency affirmative procurement program
implementation are available online to EPA employees through the
Agency LAN Systems.
During FY 1993, EPA spent $1.163 billion in contracts for
goods and services, an amount constituting 19 percent of the
Agency's fiscal year budget. By requiring contractors to supply
recycled and environmentally preferable goods, EPA extends the
impact of its environmental procurement preference throughout
the national economy.
For example, in June 1994, EPA issued Procurement Policy
Notice 94-9, requiring all microcomputers, including personal
computers, monitors, and printers, to meet EPA's Energy Star
requirements for energy efficiency. This Energy Star requirement
applies to equipment ordered from GSA Schedule contracts, open
market buys, bankcard purchases, contractor-acquired property
(where title reverts to the Agency upon completion of the con-
tract), and government-furnished property. During FY 1994, the
Agency invested $16 million in Energy Star computers, printers,
and monitors.
In 1994, President Clinton signed the Federal Acquisition
Streamlining Act (FASA). FASA will expand the use of EPA's
bankcard, as recommended by the National Performance Review.
EPA program officials are now able to purchase many supplies
and services without going through a procurement organization.
EPA's 785 Bankcard holders made 26,156 purchases, totalling
almost $9 million in FY 1994. These EPA employees are encour-
aged to buy products containing recovered materials and emplo-
ing energy-efficiency. Employees are also encouraged to prevent
waste by first checking on the availability of office supplies for
reuse from EPA's Supply Store before buying new supplies.
12
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During FY 1995 and 1996, EPA's Contracts Office will engage in
the following additional activities to implement Executive Orders
12873 and 12843:
Revise the Contracts Management Manual and Acquisitions
Handbook
Develop specific outreach and training modules to promote
the program. Affirmative procurement will be covered in spe-
cial workshops at EPA's National Procurement Conference in
November 1995.
Target affirmative procurement for small purchases through
the Agency's bankcard training program. Efforts are currently
underway to capture purchases of recycled content products
at "point-of-sale."
Monitor compliance through contractor certifications and
automated systems such as the Integrated Contract
Management System (ICMS) and the Small Purchase
Acquisitions Management System (SPAMS).
Issue a Procurement Policy Notice (PPN) to establish EPA
service practices to maximize the use of non-ozone-depleting
supplies and services.
EPA Is
Implementing
Environmental
Acquisition in
Grants and
Cooperative
Agreements
Parallel to the activities in the contracts arena, EPA will be
extending the reach of its procurement efforts by requiring recip-
ients of assistance funding to buy recycled and environmentally
preferable products: During FY 1996, EPA's Grants Office will
begin to implement the following activities:
Add special conditions to all state and local government assis-
tance awards requiring recipients to comply with RCRA 6002.
Develop a fact sheet for grant recipients, grant specialists, and
OSW regional contacts describing RCRA requirements as they
apply to state and local recipients of assistance funding.
Reference RCRA 6002 requirements in grants application kits
for state and local governments.
Revise the Project Officer Training Course to add affirmative
procurement topics.
Add affirmative procurement requirements to the Assistance
Administration Manual.
Monitor compliance through certifications at grant close-out
and through the automated grants information system.
Survey state grants officials about their affirmative procure-
ment programs.
13
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E.O. SECTION 701'. Compliance for Contractor Operation of Government-Owned
or Leased Facilities
E.O. SECTION 702; Acquisition and Management of Federally-Owned and Leased
Space and Construction of New Federal Buildings
E.O. SECTION 704: Model Facilities Demonstration Programs
EPA is
Strengthening its
Green Buildings
Program
EPA Drafted a
Green Buildings
Vision and Policy
Statement
Vast opportunities for implementing both RCRA and Executive
Order procurement requirements exist in building construction,
renovation, and maintenance. For several years, EPA has been
implementing "green building" strategies in a variety of ways,
and these efforts will accelerate with future construction and ren-
ovation projects.
EPA has already taken steps to respond to a variety of energy
conservation and clean air mandates, including chloroflouro car-
bon (CFC) and halon removal in laboratory chiller units and
"Green Light" system installation in 500,000 square-feet of space
by the end of FY 1994. In addition, EPA audited more than 10
percent of its facilities pursuant to Executive Order 12901. The
Agency also recently issued guidance to encourage energy-effi-
cient lighting upgrades while minimizing any potential impacts
on the environment from relamping and disposal operations.
The Green Buildings Vision and Policy Statement on the next
page, now being finalized, will serve as a guide for EPA and as a
model for other agencies. It presents a holistic, systems approach
to sustainable building design, renovation, and maintenance.
Natural
Light
Pollution
Prevention
Energy &
Resource
Efficiency
Optimize
Existing
Systems
Waste
Reduction
Good Indoo
Air Quality
Cost
Savings
Green Buildings incorporate sustainable design, renovation, and maintenance considerations.
14
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EPA GREEN BUILDINGS VISION
AND POLICY STATEMENT
In order to maintain leadership in environmental protection, EPA must lead by example.
Through sustainable design arid construction of EPA facilities we will model responsible
environmental behavior and help create the framework within which the building industry as
a whole can shift towards practices which will promote "Green Buildings".
Green Buildings are structures that incorporate the principles of sustainable design
design in which the impacts of a building on the environment will be minimal over the life-
time of that building. Green Buildings incorporate principles of energy and resource
efficiency, practical applications of waste reduction and pollution prevention, good indoor
air quality and natural light to promote occupant health and productivity, and transportation
efficiency in design and construction, and during use and reuse.
Agency facilities, both new and existing, should serve as models for a healthy workplace
with minimal environmental impacts. To achieve this goal, EPA will utilize both innovative
"state of the art" technologies and a holistic approach to design, construction, renovation
and use. EPA will work with the private sector to identify opportunities for innovation and
to help create markets for both products and design concepts. Important considerations in
the design, construction and use of EPA owned and leased facilities include the following:
Site planning that utilizes resources naturally occurring on the site such as solar and
wind energy, natural shading, native plant materials, topography and drainage.
Location and programs to optimize use of existing infrastructure and transportation
options, including the use of alternative work modes such as telecommuting and telecon-
ferencing.
Use of recycled content and environmentally preferable construction materials and fur-
nishings, consistent with EPA Procurement Guidelines.
* Minimization of energy and materials waste throughout the building's life cycle, from
design "through demolition or reuse.
Design of the building envelope for energy efficiency.
Use of materials and design strategies to achieve optimal indoor environmental quality,
particularly including light and air, to maximize health and productivity.
Operation systems and practices which support an integrated waste management system.
Recycling of building materials at demolition.
Management of water as a limited resource in site design, building construction and
building operations.
Utilization of solar and other renewable technologies where appropriate.
Evaluation of trade-offs will be an important component of the design of Green
Buildings. Where the goals of a Green Building are contradictory (for example increased ven-
tilation vs. increased energy efficiency), the trade-offs will have to be evaluated in a holistic
framework to achieve long-term benefits for the environment. Abo, the physical considera-
tions must be balanced with other policy objectives such as environmental justice, particular-
ly with regards to site location. We anticipate that there may not always be single answers to
recurring building issues, but we will adopt a consistent approach to evaluating all buildings-
for sustainable design considerations.
15
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EPA is Adding
Green Building
Requirements to the
Solicitation for
Offer (SFO)
In cooperation with GSA, EPA Region 3 is revising its
Solicitation for Offer document used by Headquarters offices for
buildings leased through GSA. The document covers all aspects
of structural, mechanical, and electrical engineering design, space
layout, and floor plans. It also discusses proper environmental
management and recycling of construction and demolition debris,
building maintenance and cleaning, and use of recycled-conient
and environmentally preferable products, such as gypsum wall-
board, ceramic tile, carpeting, and paint.
EPA Will
Incorporate
Green Building
Requirements in
Standards
During FY 1995, EPA will finalize revisions to its Engineering,
Planning, Architecture, and Space Standards and Guidelines for
EPA Facilities. This document will become the mechanism for
implementing green building principles and procurement require-
ments of Executive Order 12873 in all new EPA laboratories.
EPA's existing Space Guidelines will be integrated into the
revised standard.
EPA Will
Demonstrate Green
Building Principles
in Specific New
Construction
APATs Green Buildings Task Group has identified several con-
struction projects that will demonstrate technologies and con-
cepts that begin to define an integrated "systems" approach to
green buildings procurement. These include the research and
administration facility at Research Triangle Park, North Carolina;
Region 3's Environmental Science Center; and the Christopher
Columbus Center in Baltimore, Maryland. In some cases, oppor-
tunities to incorporate green building design have been limited
because projects were already underway when APAT initiated its
work. EPA is now including green building requirements in plans
for all new facilities, such as the new laboratories in Regions 1
and 5 and the laboratories planned in Las Vegas, Nevada. These
green buildings projects could potentially involve many of the
products designated in EPA's Comprehensive Procurement
Guideline as well as related environmental mandates such as
those for energy efficiency, pollution prevention, and general
resource conservation.
16
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Green Building Demonstration Projects
RTPLab
Numerous strategies are being pursued to incorporate "green" principles in EPA's new one-million
square-foot facility at Research Triangle Park, North Carolina. Environmental design elements include:
An atrium designed to enhance o aylight and ininuftizy exterior surfaces.
Exterior window shading to reduce heat gain.
Use of indigenous plants to reduce water consumption (Xeriscaping).
Selection of environmentally preferable materials.
Use of Green Lights.
A centralized fume hood exhaust system.
Strategically locating equipment to minimize the effect of electromagnetic fields.
Using a modular design that allows efficient space reconfiguration when functions and needs
change.
Region 3 Lob
The design for the Region 3 Environmental Science Center incorporates the following green principles:
Reusing the infrastructure from a housing barracks that previously existed on the site.
Using recycled materials, such as cement containing fly ash and building insulation containing
recovered materials.
Using materials such as glass, aluminum, and masonry with the intent of recycling them at the end
of the building's service life.
Ensuring a well-insulated building exterior.
Maximizing daylight in laboratory rooms.
Installing high-efficiency heating and air conditioning systems with automated controls.
Installing Green Lighting.
- Using modular designs that allow efficient space reconfigurations when functions and needs change.
"Naturalist" landscaping design to reduce watering and maintenance.
Christopher Columbus Center
EPA is participating in a partnership with city, state, and private organizations to construct the
Christopher Columbus Center in Baltimore, Maryland. The center is a combined working laboratory and
public demonstration facility for coastal plains ecosystems research. It incorporates the following tech-
nologies and principles:
Green Lighting systems.
Insulated glazing.
Energy-efficient heating, air conditioning, and exhaust systems.
Utilizing steam from a local plant fired with domestic solid waste for space heating, hot water, and
laboratory sterilization. ...
17
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EPA Will Showcase
Energy and Water
Conservation in
Existing Facilities
EPA's Waterside Mall headquarters facility and its Ann Arbor
laboratory will showcase energy and water conservation innova-
tions under Executive Order 12902. These projects will demon-
strate a combination of energy-conserving technologies that
could be applied by other EPA offices and laboratories, govern-
ment agencies, and commercial facilities (See Attachment #4).
Headquarters
Waterside Mall
Washington, DC
EPA is working with the owner of the Waterside Mall complex
to identify conservation opportunities, technologies, and fund-
ing sources for those technologies. Waterside Mall has also '
been designated as an 'Energy Star Showcase building. The fol-
lowing activities are underway:
Energy-efficient lighting has been installed in 50 percent of
the offices at Waterside Mall. This project is scheduled for
completion by the Spring of 1995.
The owner of the facility and EPA are jointly installing a
direct digital control system in the complex. EPA's involve-
ment focuses on monitoring indoor environmental quality.
The owner is providing building systems monitoring and
control including an energy management system.
The owner is taking advantage of incentives provided by the
local utility to install environmentally preferable air condi-
tioning equipment.
The owner is installing temperature-controlled and metered
rest room sinks. Reduced flow and automatic urinals are
also being tested in several locations.
EPA, the Department of Energy (DOE), and the owner are
sharing costs to demonstrate solar hot water heating.
NVFEL Laboratory,
Ann Arbor, MI
EPA is considering implementing several recommendations
from an energy and water conservation review conducted in the
Spring of 1994 at its Ann Arbor, Michigan, laboratory, including:
Utilizing alternative cooling technologies that are more effi-
cient than those now in place and that require retro-fitting
for CFC removal.
Capturing and reapplying waste energy associated with a
one-pass air requirement.
Installing a direct digital heating and air conditioning con-
trol system.
Installing energy-efficient lighting.
18
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Other Related Green
Building Activities
EPA has established a Tailored Collaborative Working
Arrangement with the Department of Energy's National
Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) to develop a Solar Process
Heat Program in applicable EPA facilities. Each EPA-owned facili-
ty will be evaluated by NREL to determine its suitability for a
; olar-generated hot water system. When projects are determined
to be cost-effective, EPA will share the cost of the purchase and
installation of the solar system. In cooperation with DOE, other
federal agencies, private and public utilities, and technology man-
ufacturers, EPA is also pursuing similar agreements for wind
energy, ground- and water-source heat pumps, and natural gas
fuel cell electric generator technologies.
EPA also is attempting to establish an integrated environmen-
tal facility management program within its facilities, for activities
that typically have been implemented as stand-alone programs.
Integrating energy and water conservation, refrigerant manage-
ment, and pollution prevention programs offers unique opportu-
nities to highlight the synergistic conservation and environmental
benefits of the various federal mandates.
Additionally, the Agency's facility engineers and architects are
working together with EPA's own program engineers, scientists,
policy analysts, and experts at other federal agencies and private
institutions, to bring a comprehensive, real-life, coordinated
green buildings initiative into focus for the federal sector. These
efforts help coordinate and promote the efforts of the
Department of Energy's Federal Energy Management Program,
EPA's Office of Research and Development (ORD) and Office of
Air and Radiation (OAR), the National Institute of Standards and
Technology (NIST), the Green Building Council, the Public
Technology Institute, and the National Science Foundation's
Industry and University Cooperative Research Consortia. The
Agency believes that, through this cross-agency networking, sig-
nificant awareness of the issues and development of solutions for
sustainable human cohabitation with nature will emerge.
19
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E.O. SECTION 502l Propose a Comprehensive Procurement Guideline and
Recovered Materials Advisory Notice
EPA Issued a
C omprehensive
Procurement
Guideline and
Recovered Materials
Advisory Notice
On May 1,1995, in compliance with its responsibilities under
the Executive Order, EPA issued a final Comprehensive
Procurement Guideline (CPG) that designates 19 items to be
purchased with a preference for recovered material content.
Concurrently, EPA published an accompanying Recovered
Material Advisory Notice (RMAN) recommending procurement
practices and ranges of recovered material content levels within
which the designated items are available. The Agency will devel-
op a variety of outreach and education tools to inform Executive
branch agencies and the general public about the CPG and
RMANs, including fact sheets, implementation manuals, slides,
and other materials.
On March 15,1995, EPA also issued a draft RMAN revising
recovered material content levels for paper and paper products.
After assessing public comments, EPA plans to issue a final
paper products RMAN in FY 1996.
Items Designated in the Final Comprehensive
Procurement Guideline
Vehicular Products
Engine Coolant
Construction Products
Structural Fiberboard
Laminated Paperboard
Carpet
Floor Tiles
Ground Granulated
Patio Blocks
Cement and Concrete
Containing Blast Furnace
Slag
Transportation Products
Traffic Control Cones
Traffic Barricades
Park & Recreation Products
Playground Surfaces
Running Tracks
Landscaping Products
Hydraulic Mulch
Yard Trimmings Compost
Nonpaper Office Products
Office Recycling Containers
Office Waste Receptacles
Plastic Desktop Accessories
Toner Cartridges
Binders
Plastic Trash Bags
20
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E.O. SECTION 503l Propose Guiding Principles for Environmentally Preferable
Products and Services
EPA Developed
Draft Guidance on
Environmentally
Preferable Products
and Services
Cleaning Products Pilot
Computer Pilot
During FY 1994, EPA held a series of stakeholder meetings and
worked closely with the White House and the Office of Federal
Procurement Policy (OFPP) to plan its approach to draft guidance
on environmentally preferable products. At the time this docu-
ment went to press, a proposed guidance was undergoing review
by Office of Management and Budget (OMB).
EPA intends to take a two-pan approach for implementing
Section 503 of the Executive Order: (1) general guidance and (2)
pilot acquisitions. General guidance will include a set of guiding
principles that establish a framework for implementation. A set
of "tools" for Executive agencies will also be included. The sec-
ond pan will consist of product category-specific guides (PCSGs),
relating to current or future pilot acquisitions, that will serve as
"laboratories" to test the principles in the general guidance. The
following are three examples of pilot projects in which EPA is
involved in the acquisition of environmentally preferable prod-
ucts and services:
At the request of GSA, in 1993, EPA identified environmental
performance criteria for "green" cleaning products. EPA held
stakeholder meetings and conducted cost/benefit analyses. GSA's
Federal Supply Service is using EPA's findings to procure envi-
ronmentally preferable cleaning products. Vendor information
on the environmental performance of their products is published
so that federal purchasers can include environmental criteria,
along with cost and performance, in their purchasing decisions.
The federal government spends approximately $4.6 billion annu-
ally on computer hardware. Through its Energy Star program,
EPA has purchased energy-efficient computers, printers, and
monitors. In addition, the Agency is collaborating with GSA and
computer manufacturers to identify additional attributes for
acquiring environmentally preferable computer components and
systems.
Pilot to Improve
Information About
Environmentally Preferable
Products
GSA's Environmental Products Guide identifies products avail-
able from GSA sources of supply that claim at least one environ-
mental attribute. During FY 1995, GSA and EPA plan to launch a
demonstration project to publish more comprehensive informa-
tion on the environmental performance of products listed in both
the Guide and on GSA's New Item Introductory Schedule.
21
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E.O. SECTION 504: Paper Minimum Content Standards
E.O. SECTION 505; Brightness Specifications
E.O. SECTION 506(b): Purchase of Re-Refined Oil and Retread Tires
EPA Is Revising
Recycled Paper
Standards
EPA is developing an RMAN to provide new recommendations
for paper products and to incorporate Executive Order require-
ments. EPA has been leading an interagency work group that
includes representatives from the Joint Committee on Printing,
GSA, GPO, U.S. Forest Service, Internal Revenue Service, Office
of Federal Procurement Policy, and other agencies involved in
paper and paper products procurement. The work group is revis-
ing EPA's Guideline for Federal Procurement of Paper and Paper
Products Containing Recovered Materials (40 CFR Part 250) to
incorporate Executive Order requirements.
EPA Tested and
Started Using
Recycled Paper
Exceeding Executive
Order Requirements
In February 1994, EPA's Printing and Photocopy Management
Branch started testing copier paper that exceeds the postcon-
sumer recovered material content requirements for printing and
writing papers in the Executive Order. The paper also addresses
the brightness issues discussed in Section 505 of the Executive
Order. It contains 100 percent recovered materials and 50 per-
cent postconsumer materials. The Agency started using this
paper well in advance of the December 31, 1994, deadline. In
fact, all EPA documents are printed on recycled-content papers.
Percentage of EPA Documents Printed on Recycled Paper
Outside
Procurements
In-House
Printing
FY89 FY90 FY 91 FY 92 FY 93 FY 94
22
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EPA is Working to
Increase Purchases
of Re-refined Oil
and Retreads
EPA's vehicle fleets are largely secured under contract with GSA.
Several barriers to the purchase of re-refined engine oil and
retreaded tires have been identified. The Agency has participated
with GSA in an interagency workgroup formed by the Federal
Environmental Executive to facilitate the purchase of these desig-
nated items for all fleet vehicles. This effort included discussions
with automotive manufacturers which resolved warranty issues.
EPA is also working with voluntary standards-setting organizations
to develop a standard specification for re-refined lubricating oil.
EPA is aware of barriers to the increased purchase of retread
tires by federal procuring agencies, including that passenger vehi-
cles are leased for a three-year period, during which time replace-
ment tires are usually not required.
E.O. SECTION 601: Waste Prevention and Recycling Goals
E.O. SECTION 705: Waste Prevention and Recycling Programs
EPA Launched the
Paper-Less Office
Campaign
MPEI-LESS
OFFICE CAMPAIGN
1994 Results
Photocopy Impression
Reductions
219,836,528
186.861.049
186.407.767
AcfuMwl to9moMh*faroomp«itonwlh1fl04.
On Earth Day 1994, Administrator Browner announced a major
Agencywide waste prevention initiative, the Paper-Less Office
Campaign. While EPA's paper recycling program is successful,
this new initiative encourages employees to reduce paper use by
adopting wise paper use practices, such as double-sided photo-
copying. It also encourages employees to use electronic modes of
communication such as E-mail and voice mail, limit hard-copy
distribution by routing and posting memoranda, purge mailing
lists, and establish centralized files and reference libraries.
The Agency achieved a 15 percent reduction in photocopying
nationwide during the first year of the campaign, resulting in an
estimated $100,000 savings in paper costs. EPA has set a goal of
an additional 15 percent reduction for the second year of the
campaign. The campaign has' been implemented through the
Agency's existing Headquarters Waste Prevention and Recycling
Committee along with recycling coordinators in all 10 regions and
all major laboratories. Each Assistant Administrator and Regional
Administrator has committed personnel and resources to support
the campaign. Each Agency office is measuring progress by moni-
toring monthly photocopy impressions and pledges.
The campaign work group has researched current barriers
and opportunities to expand internal paper-less practices. The
group is drafting a new distribution policy and recommendations
for improving internal communications, while at the same time
reducing the amount of paper the Agency uses.
23
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EPA Accepted and
Promoted the
National Office
Paper Recycling
Challenge
In 1993, Administrator Browner accepted the National Office
Paper Recycling Challenge by pledging to buy only recycled
paper and to recycle all Agency waste paper by 1995. In addition,
she wrote to the CEOs of all Fortune 500 companies asking each
of them to also accept the Challenge. To date, EPA is the only
federal agency to formally accept the challenge.
EPA Launched the
ENVIPCO
Demonstration
Project
On Earth Day, 1994, the Agency inaugurated the demonstration
of a new automated recycling collection system called ENVIPCO.
A collaborative effort among Envipco Corporation, Town Center
Management, EPA, and the residential community surrounding
EPA's Waterside Mall Headquarters facility, this project showcas-
es a new technology for institutional and community recycling.
The system can process more than 40 plastic, glass, and metal
cans per minute and electronically notifies a collection vehicle
dispatcher when the storage silos at the site approach capacity.
Since April 1994, 20,000 containers have been recycled through
the ENVIPCO System. Proceeds from the sale of materials col-
lected at the ENVIPCO site will go to support community pro-
grams and EPA's Day Care Center. The project is consistent with
the Clinton Administration's "Environmental Technologies Plan,"
issued on Earth Day 1995.
EPA Launched the
"Carry Your Share
For The
Environment
Challenge"
Beginning in FY 1995, EPA Headquarters implemented a new
program entitled "Carry Your Share for the Environment." It
encourages employees and residents in the surrounding commu-
nity to voluntarily use the drop-off collection containers for glass
and aluminum located at Waterside Mall. The goal is to increase
collection volume and to benefit the community by directing
revenues from the sale of these recyclables to community service
programs. EPA Headquarters is currently re-engineering its recy-
cling collection program to maximize its cost-effectiveness and its
benefit to the environment.
EPA Has Prepared
Exhibits and
Presentations on
Executive Order
12873
The Agency crafted three displays for loan to federal agencies to
help promote their recycling and buy-recycled programs. The
U.S. Postal Service took one of these displays to an international
postal symposium, sponsored by the United Nations, held in
Berne, Switzerland. Entitled Buy Recycled Products, the display
was highly visible to representatives from countries all over the
world. In addition, the Office of Solid Waste, in conjunction with
the U.S. Conference of Mayors, developed a buy recycled exhibit
for Headquarters and each EPA region.
24
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EPAs Regional
Offices Are
Conducting
Implementation
Activities
The Office of Solid Waste (OSW) Regional Implementation Team
(RIT) includes a representative from each regional office who is
responsible for RCRA Section 6002 and Executive Order 12873
implementation. The following are highlights of recent regional
office implementation activities:
Region 1 worked with GSA to provide technical assistance on
buying recycled products and staffed a buy recycled booth at
a GSA conference in April 1995.
Region 4, along with GSA, U.S. Conference of Mayors, and
state environmental and procuring agencies, is conducting a
series of workshops to inform state procurement officials
about the CPG and E.0.12873.
Region 5 conducts training sessions for GSA on procurement
guidelines and Executive Order requirements. Region 5 also
attends all state annual recycling conferences, staffs a buy
recycled booth, and distributes procurement guideline infor-
mation.
Region 6 will co-sponsor workshops with GSA to explain
Executive Order requirements to federal agencies in the
region. A buy recycled "mini-book" highlighting facts and
information about recycled products is also under develop-
ment.
Region 8 produced the 1994 Federal Agency Waste
Prevention, Procurement, and Recycling information packet in
partnership with the GSA regional office and sent it to 500
federal agencies in the six-state region.
In June 1994, Region 9 and GSA jointly published a compre-
hensive training manual and videotape entitled "Federal
Waste Reduction Guide". It provides hands-on information on
reducing, reusing, and buying recycled products for federal
agencies in the region, pulling together all relevant personnel
and organizational resources, as well as policy and legislative
mandates.
Region 10 will establish an EPA/GSA federal roundtable to
facilitate discussions between the two agencies. The region
will also provide hands-on assistance and education to federal
procurement and recycling contacts once the CPG and other
Executive Order products are finalized.
Regions and laboratories will continue their implementation
and outreach efforts in FY1996.
25
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E.O. SECTION 802: Internal Awards Program
E.O. SECTION 903: Federal Acquisition Regulation
EPA is Designing an
Awards Program for
the Paper-Less Office
Campaign
EPA is currently monitoring quantitative and qualitative progress
towards Paper-Less Office Campaign goals, Agencywide. Each
office's performance in reducing paper consumption will serve as
the basis for an awards program to recognize outstanding accom-
plishments. In FY 1996, a special event will recognize offices and
individuals that have made outstanding contributions toward
campaign goals.
EPA Will Expand
the Honor Awards
Program
Through the existing Honor Awards Program, individual Agency
employees and groups will he recognized for outstanding contri-
butions to EPA's internal environmental management program.
EPA Helped to
Amend the Federal
Acquisitions
Regulations
As a member of the Civilian Agency Acquisition Council (CAAC)
and the Environmental Committee (DoD), EPA incorporated
affirmative procurement mandates into the Federal Acquisitions
Regulations (FAR) through a final rule (Case 92-54). The rule
clearly reflects the government's preference for the acquisition of
environmentally-sound and energy-efficient products and services
and to establish an affirmative procurement program favoring
items containing recovered materials (Issued 5/31/95).
26
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PART
3
^^^^^^^^ill^^^H
EPAis Leadership Role
With Other Federal Agencies
and Private Organizations
In addition to complying with its affirmative procurement
responsibilities, EPA is serving as a role model to other federal
agencies, providing research and guidance, and is promoting
compliance with RCRA's affirmative procurement requirements
and the Executive Order. EPA is also participating in public/pri-
vate partnerships to help "mainstream" the development and use
of environmentally preferable and recycled products.
EPA is involved in several procurement activities in coopera-
tion with other federal agencies and the private sector through
the following programs:
EPA Participates in
GSAs Alternative
Fuels Vehicle
Program
GSA's Alternative Fuels Vehicles (AFVs) program is targeting 22
Clean Air Act non-attainment cities, one of which is Washington,
DC. As an incentive, GSA is offering a rate reduction to cus-
tomers that use AFVs, which are powered by methanol, ethanol,
or natural gas. EPA has 599 conventional vehicles and 117 AFVs.
By using AFVs, EPA is promoting the development of cleaner
automobiles and is also preventing pollution.
EPA is Promoting .
GSAs Environmental
Products Guide
EPA is promoting GSA's Environmental Products Guide as a way
to ensure that federal agencies purchase recycled and other envi-
ronmentally preferable products. The Guide will be featured in
buy recycled workshops which will be conducted for Agency staff
beginning in FY 1996.
27
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EPA is Conducting
Outreach and
Education to Other
Federal Agencies
As discussed under Section 705 implementation, OSWs RIT has
been conducting outreach to other federal agencies within each
region. In addition, the Agency's Paper-Less Office Campaign is
designed as a model waste reduction program. EPA has been
sharing Paper-Less Office Campaign logistical information and
campaign materials with other federal agencies. EPA's campaign
managers have made numerous presentations to other agencies,
including GSA, NASA, and at meetings held by the Federal
Environmental Executive. EPA provides ongoing technical assis-
tance on recycling collection as well.
EPA is Conducting
Outreach and
Education to the
Private Sector
WASTE
In January 1994, EPA inaugurated the WasteWi$e Program, a
voluntary partnership with America's businesses to foster waste
prevention, recycling, and buying or manufacturing recycled
products. As of July 1995, nearly 400 companies have joined the
program. EPA is providing technical information and support
through a helpline; quarterly newsletter; bi-monthly bulletin; and
a Partner Information Exchange that enables WasteWi$e compa-
nies to contact each other directly to share information.
Companies set their own goals, quantify their progress, and
report back to EPA. Membership organizations can participate in
WasteWi$e as Partners or Endorsers. Endorsers commit to pro-
moting participation in WasteWi$e to its members. An Annual
Progress Report documenting the program's first year activities
and achievements is scheduled for publication in the Fall of
1995.
EPA is Helping
Develop Standards
for Recycled and
Environmentally
Preferable Products
EPA is participating in standards-setting organizations such as
the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM) and the
U.S. Green Buildings Council. These groups include stakeholders
from government, business and industry, academia, as well as
buyers and users. A number of "green" standards are currently
being developed by such groups for paper products, plastic, con-
struction, and other recycled and environmentally preferable
products.
28
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Attachments
A Executive Order 12873
B Environmental Procurement Strategy
Implementation Highlights
C EPAfc Energy and Water Conservation Program
D Key EPA Environmental Procurement Contacts
E Resources
29
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Federal Register / Vol. 58, No. 203 / Friday, October 22,1993 / Presidential Documents ' 54911
Presidential Documents
Executive Order 12873 of Octbber 20,1993
FEDERAL ACQUISITION, RECYCLING, AND WASTE PREVENTION
WHEREAS, the Nation's interest is served when the Federal Government can make more
efficient use of natural resources by maximizing recycling and preventing waste wherev-
er possible;
WHEREAS, this Administration is determined to strengthen the role of the Federal
Government as an enlightened, environmentally conscious and concerned consumer;
WHEREAS, the Federal Government should through cost-effective waste prevention
and recycling activities work to conserve disposal capacity, and serve as a model in this
regard for private and other public 'institutions; and
WHEREAS, the use of recycled and environmentally preferable products and services by
the Federal Government can spur private sector development of new technologies and use
of such products, thereby creating business and employment opportunities and enhanc-
ing regional and local economies and the national economy;
NOW, THEREFORE, I, WILLIAM J. CLINTON, by the authority vested in me as
President by the Constitution and the laws of the United States of America, including the
Solid Waste Disposal Act, Public Law 89-272, 79 Stat. 997, as amended by the Resource
Conservation and Recovery Act ("RCRA"), Public Law 94-580, 90 Stat. 2795 as amended
(42 U.S.C. 6901-6907), and Section 301 of title 3, United States Code, hereby order as
follows:
PART 1 - PREAMBLE
Section 101- Consistent with the demands of efficiency and cost effectiveness, the head
of each Executive agency shall incorporate waste prevention and recycling in the agency's
daily operations and work to increase and expand markets for recovered materials
through greater Federal Government preference and demand for such products.
Sec. 102. Consistent with policies established by Office of Federal Procurement Policy
("OFPP") Policy Letter 92-4, agencies shall comply with executive branch policies for the
acquisition and use of environmentally preferable products and services and implement
cost-effective procurement preference programs favoring the purchase of these products
and services.
Sec. 103. This order creates a Federal Environmental Executive and establishes high-level
Environmental Executive positions within each-agency to be responsible for expediting
the implementation of this order and statutes that pertain to this order.
PART 2 - DEFINITIONS
For purposes of this order
Sec. 201. "Environmentally preferable" means products or services that have a lesser or
reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with competing
products or services that serve the same purpose. This comparison may consider raw
A-1
-------
materials acquisition, production, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, reuse, opera-
tion, maintenance, or disposal of the product or service.
Sec. 202. "Executive agency" or "agency" means an Executive agency as defined in 5
U.S.C. 105. Eor the purpose of this order, military departments, as defined in 5 U.S.C.
102, are covered under the auspices of the Department of Defense.
Sec. 203. "Postconsumer material" means a material or finished product that has served
its intended use and has been discarded for disposal or recovery, having completed its life
as a consumer item. "Postconsumer material" is a part of the broader category of "recov-
ered material".
Sec. 204. "Acquisition" means the acquiring by contract with appropriated funds for sup-
plies or services (including construction) by and for the use of the Federal Government
through purchase or lease, whether the supplies or services are already in existence or
must be created, developed, demonstrated and evaluated. Acquisition begins at the point
when agency needs are established and includes the description of requirements to satis-
fy agency needs, solicitation and selection of sources, award of contracts, contract financ-
ing, contract performance, contract administration and those technical and management
functions directly related to the process of fulfilling agency needs by contract.
Sec. 205. "Recovered materials" means waste materials and by-products which have been
recovered or diverted from solid waste, but such term does not include those materials
and byproducts generated from, and commonly reused within, an original manufacturing
process (42 U.S.C. 6903 (19)).
Sec. 206. "Recyclability" means the ability of a product or material to be recovered from,
or otherwise diverted from, the solid waste stream for the purpose of recycling.
Sec. 207. "Recycling" means the series of activities, including collection, separation, and
processing, by which products or other materials are recovered from the solid waste
stream for use in the form of raw materials in the manufacture of new products other than
fuel for producing heat or power by combustion.
Sec. 208. "Waste prevention," also known as "source reduction,1* means any change in
the design, manufacturing, purchase'or use of materials or products (including packag-
ing) to reduce their amount or toxicity before they become municipal solid waste. Waste
prevention also refers to the reuse of products or materials.
Sec. 209. "Waste reduction" means preventing or decreasing the amount of waste being
generated through waste prevention, recycling, or purchasing recycled and environmen-
tally preferable products.
Sec. 210. "Life Cycle Cost" means the amortized annual cost of a product, including cap-
ital costs, installation costs, operating costs, maintenance costs and disposal costs dis-
counted over the lifetime of the product.
Sec. 211. "Life Cycle Analysis" means the comprehensive examination of a products envi-
ronmental and economic effects throughout its lifetime including new material extraction,
transportation, manufacturing, use, and disposal.
PART 3
THE ROLE OF THE FEDERAL ENVIRONMENTAL EXECUTIVE AND AGENCY
ENVIRONMENTAL EXECUTIVES
Sec. 301. Federal Environmental Executive, (a) A Federal Environmental Executive shall
be designated by the President and shall be located within the Environmental Protection
A-2
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Agency ("EPA"). The Federal Environmental Executive shall take all actions necessary to
ensure that the agencies comply with the requirements of this order and shall generate an
annual report to the Office of Management and Budget ("OMB"), at the time of agency
budget submissions, on the actions taken by the agencies to comply with the require-
ments of this order. In carrying out his or her functions, the Federal Environmental
Executive shall consult with the Director of the White House Of f ice on Environmental
Policy. I
(b) Staffing. A minimum of four (4) full time staff persons are to be provided by the agen-
cies listed below to assist the Federal Environmental Executive, one of whom shall have
experience in specification review and program requirements, one of whom shall have
experience in procurement practices, and one of whom shall have experience in solid
waste prevention and recycling. These four staff persons shall be appointed and replaced
as follows:
(1) a representative from the Department of Defense shall be detailed for not less than
one year and no more than two years;
(2) a representative from the General Services Administration ("GSA") shall be detailed
for not less than one year and no more than two years;
(3) a representative from EPA shall be detailed for not less than one year and no more
than two years; and
(4) a representative from one other agency determined by the Federal Environmental
Executive shall be detailed on a rotational basis for not more than one year.
(c) Administration. Agencies are requested to make their services, personnel and facili-
ties available to the Federal Environmental Executive to the maximum extent practicable
for the performance of functions under this order.
(d) Committees and Work Groups. The Federal Environmental Executive shall establish
committees and work groups to identify, assess, and recommend actions to be taken to
fulfill the goals, responsibilities, and initiatives of the Federal Environmental Executive.
As these committees and work groups are created, agencies are requested to designate
appropriate personnel in the areas of procurement and acquisition, standards and speci-
fications, electronic commerce, facilities management, waste prevention, and recycling,
and others as needed to staff and work on the initiatives of the Executive.
(e) Duties. The Federal Environmental Executive, in consultation with the Agency
Environmental Executives, shall:
(1) identify and recommend initiatives for government-wide implementation that will
promote the purposes of this order, including:
(A) the development of a federal plan for agency implementation of this order and appro-
priate incentives to encourage the acquisition of recycled and environmentally preferable
products by the Federal Government;
(B) the development of a federal implementation plan and guidance for instituting eco-
nomically efficient federal waste prevention, energy and water efficiency programs, and
recycling programs within each agency, and
(C) the development of a plan for making maximum use of available funding assistance
programs;
(2) collect and disseminate information electronically concerning methods to reduce
waste, materials that can be recycled, costs and savings associated with waste prevention
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and recycling, and current market sources of products that are environmentally preferable
or produced with recovered materials;
(3) provide guidance and assistance to the agencies in setting up and reporting on agency
programs and monitoring their effectiveness; and
(4) coordinate appropriate government-wide education and training programs for agen-
cies.
Sec. 302. Agency Environmental Executives. Within 90 days after the effective date of this
order, the head of each Executive department and major procuring agency shall designate
an Agency Environmental Executive from among his or her staff, who serves at a level no
lower than at the Deputy Assistant Secretary level or equivalent. The Agency
Environmental Executive will be responsible for
(a) coordinating all environmental programs in the areas of procurement and acquisition,
standards and specification review, facilities management, waste prevention and recy-
cling, and logistics;
(b) participating in the interagency development of a Federal plan to:
(1) create an awareness and outreach program for the private sector to facilitate markets
for environmentally preferable and recycled products and services, promote new tech-
nologies, improve awareness about federal efforts in this area, and expedite agency efforts
to procure new products identified under this order;
(2) establish incentives, provide guidance and coordinate appropriate educational pro-
grams for agency employees; and
(3) coordinate the development of standard agency reports required by this order,
(c) reviewing agency programs and acquisitions to ensure compliance with this order.
PART 4 - ACQUISITION PLANNING AND AFFIRMATIVE PROCUREMENT PRO-
GRAMS
Sec. 401. Acquisition Planning. In developing plans, drawings, work statements, specifi-
cations, or other product descriptions, agencies shall consider the following factors: elim-
ination of virgin material requirements; use of recovered materials; reuse of product; life
cycle cost; recyclability; use of environmentally preferable products; waste prevention
(including toxicity reduction or eliminatin); and ultimate disposal, as appropriate. These
factors should be considered in acquisition planning for all procurements and in the eval-
uation and award of contracts, as appropriate. Program and acquisition managers should
take an active role in these activities.
Sec. 402. Affirmative Procurement Programs. The head of each Executive agency shall
develop and implement affirmative procurement programs in accordance with RCRA sec-
tion 6002 (42 U.S.C. 6962) and this order. Agencies shall ensure that responsibilities for
preparation, implementation and monitoring of affirmative procurement programs are
shared between the program personnel and procurement personnel. For the purposes of
all purchases made pursuant to this order, EPA, in consultation with such other Federal
agencies as appropriate, shall endeavor to maximize environmental benefits, consistent
with price, performance and availability considerations, and shall adjust bid solicitation
guidelines as necessary in order to accomplish this goal.
(a) Agencies shall establish affirmative procurement programs for all designated EPA
guideline items purchased by their agency. For newly designated items, agencies shall
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revise their internal programs within one year from the date EPA designated the new
items.
(b) For the currently designated EPA guideline items, which are: (i) concrete and cement
containing fly ashi (ii) recycled paper products; (iii) re-refined lubricating oilj (iv) retread
tires; and (v) insulation containing recovered materials; and for all future guideline items,
agencies shall ensure that their affirmative procurement programs require that 100 per-
cent of their purchases of products meet or exceed the EPA guideline standards unless
written justification is provided that a product is not available competitively within a rea-
sonable time frame, does not meet appropriate performance standards, or is only avail-
able at an unreasonable price.
(c) The Agency Environmental Executives will track agencies' purchases of designated
EPA guideline items and report agencies purchases of such guideline items to the Federal
Environmental Executive. Agency Environmental Executives will be required to justify to
the Federal Environmental Executive as to why the item(s) have not been purchased or
submit a plan for how the agencies intend to increase their purchases of the designated
item(s).
(d) Agency affirmative procurement programs, to the maximum extent practicable, shall
encourage that:
(1) documents be transferred electronically,
(2) all government documents printed internally be printed double-sided, and
(3) contracts, grants, and cooperative agreements issued after the effective date of this
order include provisions that require documents to be printed double-sided on recycled
paper meeting or exceeding the standards established in this order or in future EPA guide-
lines.
Sec. 403. Procurement of Existing Guideline Items. Within 90 days after the effective date
of this order, the head of each Executive agency that has not implemented an affirmative
procurement program shall ensure that the affirmative procurement program has been
established and is being implemented to the nunri«ii«n extent practicable.
Sec. 404. Electronic Acquisition System. To reduce waste by eliminating unnecessary
paper transactions in the acquisition process and to foster accurate data collection and
reporting of agencies' purchases of recycled content and environmentally preferred prod-
ucts, the executive branch will implement an electronic commerce system consistent with
the recommendations adopted as a result of the National Performance Review.
PART 5 - STANDARDS, SPECIFICATIONS AND DESIGNATION OF ITEMS
Sec. 501. Specifications. Product Descriptions and Standards. Where applicable,
Executive agencies shall review and revise federal and military specifications, product
descriptions and standards to enhance Federal procurement of products made from recov-
ered materials or that are environmentally preferable. When converting to a Commercial
Item Description (CID), agencies shall ensure that environmental factors have been con-
sidered and that the CID meets or exceeds the environmentally preferable criteria of the
government specification or product description. Agencies shall report annually on their
compliance with this section to the Federal Environmental Executive for incorporation
into the annual report to OMB referred to in section 301 of this order.
(a) If an inconsistency with RCRA Section 6002 or this order is identified in a specifica-
tion, standard, or product description, the Federal EnvironmentaLExecutive shall request
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that the Environmental Executive of the pertinent agency advise the Federal
Environmental Executive as to why the specification cannot be revised or submit a plan
for revising it within 60 days.
(b) If an agency is able to revise an inconsistent specification but cannot do so within 60
days, it is the responsibility of that agency's Environmental Executive to monitor and
implement the plan for revising it.
Sec. 502. Designation of Items that Contain Recovered Materials. In order to expedite the
process of designating items that are or can be made with recovered materials, EPA shall
institute a new process for designating these items in accordance with RCRA section
6002(e) as follows, (a) EPA shall issue a Comprehensive Procurement Guideline con-
taining designated items that are or can be made with recovered materials.
(1) The proposed guideline shall be published for public comment in the Federal Register
within 180 days after the effective date of this order and shall be updated annually after
publication for comment to include additional items.
(2) Once items containing recovered materials have been designated by EPA through the
new process established pursuant to this section and in compliance with RCRA section
6002, agencies shall modify their affirmative procurement programs to require that, to the
maximum extent practicable, their purchases of products meet or exceed the EPA guide-
line standards unless written justification is provided that a product is not available com-
petitively, not available within a reasonable time frame, does not meet appropriate
performance standards, or is only available at an unreasonable price.
(b) Concurrent with the issuance of the Comprehensive Procurement Guideline required
by section 502(a) of this order, EPA shall publish for public comment in the Federal
Register Recovered Material Advisory Notice(s) that present the range of recovered mate-
rial content levels within which the designated recycled items are currently available.
These levels shall be updated periodically after publication for comment to reflect
changes in market conditions.
Sec. 503. Guidance for Environmentally Preferable Products. In accordance with this
order, EPA shall issue guidance that recommends principles that Executive agencies
should use in making determinations for the preference and purchase of environmental-
ly preferable products.
(a) Proposed guidance shall be published for public comment in the Federal Register
within 180 days after the effective date of this order, and may be updated after public
comment, as necessary, thereafter. To the extent necessary, EPA may issue additional
guidance for public comment on how the principles can be applied to specific product cat-
egories.
(b) Once final guidance for environmentally preferable products has been issued by EPA,
Executive agencies shall use these principles, to the maximum extent practicable, in iden-
tifying and purchasing environmentally preferable products and shall modify their pro-
curement programs by reviewing and revising specifications, solicitation procedures, and
policies as appropriate.
Sec. 504. Minimum Content Standard for Printing and Writing Paper. Executive agency
heads shall ensure that agencies shall meet or exceed the following minimum materials
content standards when purchasing or causing the purchase of printing and writing
paper:
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(a) For high speed copier paper, offset paper, forms bond, computer printout paper, car-
bonless paper, file folders, and white woven envelopes, the minimum content standard
shall be no less than 20 percent postconsumer materials beginning December 31,1994.
This minimum content standard shall be increased to 30 percent beginning on December
31,1998. j
(b) For other uncoated printing and writing paper, such as writing and office paper, book
paper, cotton fiber paper, and cover stock, the minimum content standard shall be 50 per-
cent recovered materials, including 20 percent postconsumer materials beginning on
December 31, 1994. This standard shall be increased to 30 percent beginning on
December 31,1998.
(c) As an alternative to meeting the standards in sections 504(a) and (b), for all printing
and writing papers, the minimum content standard shall be no less than 50 percent recov-
ered materials that are a waste material byproduct of a finished product other than a
paper or textile product which would otherwise be disposed of in a landfill, as determined
by the State in which the facility is located.
(1) The decision not to procure recycled content printing and writing paper meeting the
standards specified in this section shall be based solely on a determination by the con-
tracting officer that a satisfactory level of competition does not exist, that the items are
not available within a reasonable time period, or that the available items fail to meet rea-
sonable performance standards established by the agency or are only available at an
unreasonable price.
(2) Each agency should implement waste prevention techniques, as specified in section
402(d) of this order, so that total annual expenditures for recycled content printing and
writing paper do not exceed current annual budgets for paper products as measured by
average annual expenditures, adjusted for inflation based on the Consumer Price Index
or other suitable indices. In determining a target budget for printing and writing paper,
agencies may take into account such factors as employee increases or decreases, new
agency or statutory initiatives, and episodic or unique requirements (e.g., census).
(3) Effective immediately, all agencies making solicitations for the purchase of printing
and writing paper shall seek bids for paper with postconsumer material or recovered
waste material as described in section 504(c).
Sec. 505. Revision of Brightness Specifications and Standards. The General Services
Administration and other Federal agencies are directed to identify, evaluate and revise or
eliminate any standards or specifications unrelated to performance that present barriers
to the purchase of paper or paper products made by production processes that minimize
emissions of harmful byproducts. This evaluation shall include a review of unnecessary
brightness and stock clause provisions, such as lignin content and chemical pulp require-
ments. The GSA shall complete the review and revision of such specifications within six
months after the effective date of this order, and shall consult closely with the Joint
Committee on Printing during such process. The GSA shall also compile any information
or market studies that may be necessary to accomplish the objectives of this provision.
Sec. 506. Procurement of Re-refined Lubricating Oil and Retread Tires. Within 180 days
after the effective date of this order, agencies shall implement the EPA procurement
guidelines for re-refined lubricating oil and retread tires.
(a) Commodity managers shall finalize revisions to specifications for re-refined oil and
retread tires, and develop and issue specifications for tire retreading services, as com-
modity managers shall take affirmative steps to procure these items in accordance with
RCRA section 6002.
A-7
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(b) Once these items become available, fleet managers shall take affirmative steps to pro-
cure these items in accordance with RCRA section 6002.
Sec. 507. Product Testing. The Secretary of Commerce, through the National Institute of
Standards and Technology ("NIST"), shall establish a program for testing the perfor-
mance of products containing recovered materials or deemed to be environmentally
preferable. NIST shall work with EPA, GSA and other public and private sector organi-
zations that conduct appropriate life cycle analyses to gather information that will assist
agencies in making selections of products and services that are environmentally prefer-
able.
(a) NIST shall publish appropriate reports describing testing programs, their results, and
recommendations for testing methods and related specifications for use by Executive
agencies and other interested parties.
(b) NIST shall coordinate with other Executive and State agencies to avoid duplication
with existing testing programs.
PART 6 - AGENCY GOALS AND REPORTING REQUIREMENTS
Sec. 601. Goals for Waste Reduction. Each agency shall establish a goal for solid waste
prevention and a goal for recycling to be achieved by the year 1995. These goals shall be
submitted to the Federal Environmental Executive within 180 days after the effective date
of this order. Progress on attaining these goals shall be reported by the agencies to the
Federal Environmental Executive for the annual report specified in section 301 of this
order.
Sec. 602. Goal for Increasing the Procurement of Recycled and Other Environmentally
Preferable Products. Agencies shall strive to increase the procurement of products that
are environmentally preferable or that are made with recovered materials and set annual
goals to maximize die number of recycled products purchased, relative to non-recycled
alternatives.
Sec. 603. Review of Implementation. The President's Council on Integrity and Efficiency
("PCIE") will request that the Inspectors General periodically review agencies' affirma-
tive procurement programs and reporting procedures to ensure their compliance with this
order.
PART 7 - APPLICABILITY AND OTHER REQUIREMENTS
Sec. 701. Contractor Operated Facilities. Contracts that provide for contractor operation
of a government-owned or leased facility, awarded after the effective date of this order,
shall include provisions that obligate the contractor to comply with the requirements of
this order within the scope of its operations. In addition, to the extent permitted by law
and where economically feasible, existing contracts should be modified.
Sec. 702. Real Property Acquisition and Management. Within 90 days after the effective
date of this order, and to the extent permitted by law and where economically feasible,
Executive agencies shall ensure compliance with die provisions of this order in die acqui-
sition and management of federally owned and leased space. GSA and odier Executive
agencies shall also include environmental and recycling provisions in die acquisition of
aU leased space and .in die construction of new federal buildings.
Sec. 703. Retention of Funds. Within 90 days after die effective date of this order, die
Administrator of GSA shall develop a legislative proposal providing audiority for
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Executive agencies to retain a share of the proceeds from the sale of materials recovered
through recycling or waste prevention programs and specifying the eligibility require-
ments for the materials being recycled.
Sec. 704. Model Facility Programs. Each Executive department and major procuring
agency shall establish model facility demonstration programs that include comprehensive
waste prevention ind recycling programs and emphasize the procurement of recycled and
environmentally preferable products and services using an electronic data interchange
(EDI) system.
Sec. 705. Recycling Programs. Each Executive agency that has not already done so shall
initiate a program to promote cost effective waste prevention and recycling of reusable
materials in all of its facilities. The recycling programs implemented pursuant to this sec-
tion must be compatible with applicable State and local recycling requirements. Federal
agencies shall also consider cooperative ventures with State and local governments to pro-
mote recycling and waste reduction in the community.
PART 8 - AWARENESS
Sec. 801. Agency Awards Program. A government-wide award will be presented annually
by the White House to the best, most innovative program implementing the objectives of
this order to give greater visibility to these efforts so that they can be incorporated gov-
ernment-wide.
Sec. 802. Internal Agency Awards Programs. Each agency shall develop an internal
agency-wide awards program, as appropriate, to reward its most innovative environmen-
tal programs. Winners of agency-wide awards will be eligible for the White House award
program.
PART 9 - REVOCATION, LIMITATION AND IMPLEMENTATION
Sec. 901. Executive Order No. 12780, dated October 31,1991, is hereby revoked.
Sec. 902. This order is intended only to improve the internal management of the execu-
tive branch and is not intended to create any right or benefit, substantive or procedural,
enforceable at law by a party against the United States, its agencies, its officers, or any
other person.
Sec. 903. The policies expressed in this order, including the requirements and elements
for effective agency affirmative procurement programs, shall be implemented and incor-
porated in the Federal Acquisition Regulation (FAR) within 180 days after the effective
date of this order. The implementation language shall consist of providing specific direc-
tion and guidance on agency programs for preference, promotion, estimation, certifica-
tion, reviewing and monitoring.
Sec. 904. This order shall be effective immediately.
WILLIAM J. CLINTON
THE WHITE HOUSE
October 20,1993
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Environmental Procurement Strategy Implementation Highlights-FY*96
Executive Order
Section
Action Item
Time Frame
Lead Office/Phone #
401, 402, 501
Contracts & Acquisition
Manuals Revision
National Procurement
Conference
Agency Bankcard
Training
New Contract Clauses
for Estimating &
Certifying
Procurement Policy
Notice: Ozone-Depleting
Substances
"Buy Recycled"
Workshops
Special Conditions to
State & Local
Government Assistance
Awards
Project Officer Training
Course Revisions
Grants Closeout
Process/Monitoring
Fact Sheet for Grant
Recipients
State Grants Officials
Survey
2nd Quarter
November, 1995
Ongoing
1st Quarter
1st Quarter
2nd Quarter
1st Quarter
2nd Quarter
4th Quarter
1st Quarter
2nd Quarter
Office of Acquisition
Management (OAM)
202-260-9032
Office of Acquisition
Management (OAM)
202-260-9032
Office of Acquisition
Management (OAM)
202-260-9032
Office of Acquisition
Management (OAM)
202-260-9032
Office of Acquisition
Management (OAM)
202-260-9032
Waste Prevention &
Recycling Office
202-260-2541
Office of Grants &
Debarment
202-260-2523
Office of Grants &
Debarment
202-260-2523
Office of Grants &
Debarment
202-260-2523
Office of Solid Waste
703-308-7278
Waste Prevention &
Recycling Office
202-260-2541
B-1
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Executive Order
Section
Action Item
Time Frame
Lead Office/Phone #
701, 702, 704
504
503
601, 602
Special Initiatives
"Green" SFO
Green Building
Requirements in EPA
Buildings Standards
Construction &
Engineering Projects
Energy & Water
Conservation Project
Final Paper RMAN
Environmentally
Preferable Guidance
Environmentally
Preferable Pilot Projects
Waste Prevention &
Recycling Goals
Paper-less Office
Campaign
National Office Paper
Recycling Challenge
Waste Wise Program
Envipco Automated
Recycling System
Carry Your Share
Campaign Program
1st Quarter
1st Quarter
Ongoing
Ongoing
1st Quarter
OMB Review
(at press time)
Ongoing
1st Quarter
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
Ongoing
EPA Region 3
215-597-1179
Facilities Management &
Services Division
202-260-2165
Facilities Management &
Services Division
202-260-2165
Facilities Management &
Services Division
202-260-2094
Office of Solid Waste
703-308-7279
Office of Pollution
Prevention
202-260-3557
Office of Pollution
Prevention
202-260-3557
Waste Prevention&
Recycling Office
202-260-2541
Waste Prevention &
Recycling Office
202-260-2541
Waste Prevention &
Recycling Office
202-260-2541
Office of Solid Waste
1-800-EPA-Wise
Waste Prevention &
Recycling Office
202-260-2541
Waste Prevention and
Recycling Office
202-260-2541
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EPAfc Energy and Water Conservation Program
What drives energy conserva-
tion at EPA?
A series of acts and executive orders from 1975 to 1994 have
established requirements for federal agencies to reduce overall
energy consumption by: 10% by 1995, 20% by 2000, 30% by
2005.
How does EPA support energy
reduction?
In 1993, FMSD created the Energy and Water Conservation
Program to be implemented at 16 owned or leased facilities
where EPA directly pays the utilities.
Is EPA taking an aggressive
approach toward the energy
reduction goals?
Although EPA facilities could be exempt from such reduction,
EPA is committed to environmental leadership and is therefore
moving ahead to meet/exceed the reduction goals.
What areas does the program
address?
Through an integrated facility management approach, the pro-
gram focuses on four main areas: energy conservation, water con-
servation, pollution prevention, and CFC phaseout, of which the
latter three ultimately contribute to energy conservation.
What is the reduction value
based on?
The baseline value is 1985 energy data from the participating
facilities.
Are there any uncontrollable
consumption factors?
Due to mission-related activities, EPA facilities report significant
energy consumption rates. The systems that consume such large
amounts of energy are EPA's primary target for energy reduction.
What technologies are being
considered for energy
reduction?
Striving toward the 1995 reduction goal, the following technolo-
gies/system management options have either been implemented
or are being evaluated for implementation:
Green Lights/Diffused Natural
Lighting
Energy Star Office Equipment
Heat Pipes
Desiccant Cooling Systems
w/wo Renewables
Water/Ground Source Heat
Pumps
Solar Hot Water
Cogeneration
HVAC Distribution/Variable Air
Delivery
Direct Digital Control (DDC)
Fuel Celk
High Efficiency Central Plant
Components
Renewables (in general)
Programmable Thermostats
Infrared Sensors for Water
Management
Insulation Upgrades
Photovoltaics
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Has the program been
successful?
Yes! The majority of EPA's facilities have been assessed for ener-
gy conservation opportunities. The following list highlights the
technologies from which three or more EPA facilities will soon
benefit:
Green Lights
HVAC Distribution/Variable Air Delivery
Water Source Heat Pumps
High Efficiency Central Plant Components
Solar Hot Water
DDC
Water Saving Devices
Three of EPA's buildings are designated as Energy Showcase
Facilities per E.O. 12902. Through an OAR program, EPA is the
only Federal agency to have its headquarters facility designated
as an Energy Star Showcase Building!
How are these projects being
funded?
B&F funding levels supporting these energy conservation efforts
are approximately $1.5 million for FY95. Financing options such
as Energy Savings Performance Contracting, Rebates, and Third
Party Financing are becoming more attractive and feasible for
Agency projects.
What energy and cost savings
are anticipated for these
energy efficient projects?
As an example of savings for EPA, the savings from 10 Green
Lighting projects, for which data is available, are outlined below:
4.9 years (average)
2,491,000 KWHR =
$266,000
$80,000
$17,150
3,738,000 Ibs.
31,800 Ibs.
13,700 Ibs.
Payback
Annual Savings
Annual Utility Cost Saved
Lumped Maintenance Costs Saved
HVAC Cost Savings
Annual CO2 Prevented
Annual SO2 Prevented
Annual NOx Prevented
Where does EPA stand in
meeting the 10% reduction
goal?
EPA is currently quantifying mission related activities, growth,
and energy project savings over the past ten years in order to
determine and validate overall energy consumption.
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How is energy conservation
encouraged at the facility
level?
The program has a strong awareness and training campaign.
A quarterly newsletter sent to facility managers highlights energy
management, energy efficient technologies, success stories in
technology enhancement, program integration, and financing
opportunities.
What is EPA's role in the
Energy Efficiency and
Resource Conservation
Challenge?
Even though the challenge is a recent initiative for federal agen-
cies, EPA's Energy and Water Conservation Program has already
embodied the strategy of this challenge.
EPA's role in this challenge is to continue to exercise environ-
mental stewardship.
What does the future hold?
A plethora of opportunities to incorporate energy conservation
within EPA's facilities.
The potential to meet or exceed the goals set forth by the regu-
lations.
The potential for real cost savings in terms of reduced
utility/fuel demand and reduced pollution.
The ultimate mission of the Agency's program is to encourage
EPA facilities to become environmentally responsible and to
demonstrate environmental leadership in the local communites
Through a holistic approach, the Agency's Environmental
Procurement Strategy will coordinate environmental mandates
including green buildings, recycled content, and environmen-
tally preferable products, and CFC-free equipment.
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Key EPA
Environmental
Procurement
Contacts
Agency Environmental
Executives:
Jonathan Z. Cannon, EPAs General Counsel
Sallyanne Harper, Acting Assistant Administrator, OARM
Affirmative Procurement
Action Team (APAT):
Dana Arnold
Kathy Aterno
Randall Bacon
Betty Bailey
Jonathan Baker
Fernand Dahan
Jeff Davidson
Bruce Feldman
Joseph Gillian
Eun-Sook Goidel
Beverly Goldblatt
Terry Grist
OSW Melvinjoppy FMSD
OARM Janson Kelly FMSD
FMSD David Wing OPTT
OAM John Krakowiak Reg. 3
OGC Mike O'Reilly (Chair) FMSD
FMSD Bill Ridge FMSD
SHEMD Connie Posey FMSD
OGD Paul Schaffer OAM
FMSD Frank Sheffield FMSD
OPPT Sharon Stahl OPPT
OSW MiaZmud OSW
OSW
Waste Prevention and
Recycling Coordinators
Headquarters
Kym Burke
Tom Luminello
Peter Cosier
Darlecia Elliott
Melissa Garcia
Charlie Garlow
John Hebert
Glen Langlois
Dan Levesque
Regional Offices
Bill Holbrook
Stanley Siegel
Lillian Smith
Gary White
Rich Hoffman
OCEPA
Crystal Station
OAR
OIA
OIG
OECM
Crystal City
OARM
Fairchild
Region 1
Region 2
Region 3
Region 4
Region 5
Karen Shanahan
Roberta Parry
Doug Parsons
Gloria Posey
Martha Price
Lois Riley
Hale Hawbecker
Betty Wonkovich
.Chris Zawlocki
Laurie Goodteacher
David Treece
Virginia Bums
Dave Duncan
Inge Theisen
OSWER
OPPE
OCLA
OW
OPPTS
ORD
OGC
AO
Regional
Operations
Region 6
Region 7
RegionS
Region 9
Region 10
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Selected Information Resources
Related to Implementation of
Executive Order 12873
Catalog of Federal Agency Environmental Compliance/Management Documents (EPA300-B-94-
011), June 1994. This resource was developed by EPA to help civilian federal agencies identify and
obtain existing information and guidance on environmental compliance and management topics.
EPA Issues Comprehensive Procurement Guideline (EPA530-F-94-010), April 1995. This fact sheet
summarizes the Comprehensive Procurement Guideline (CPG) and Recovered Materials Advisory
Notice (RMAN) issued in response to Section 502 of E.O. 12873.
Executive Order 12873, Federal Acquisition, Recycling, and Waste Prevention: Year One Review,
October 20, 1994, Office of the Federal Environmental Executive. This report summarizes initiatives
and accomplishments of the Office of the Federal Environmental Executive to implement E.O. 12873.
Federal Waste Reduction Guide (A Federal Information Resources Guide for Waste Prevention,
Recycling, and Buying Recycled), June 1994, EPA, GSA Region 9. This guidebook was developed
by Region 9 as part of its Watching Your Waste educational and training program.
Local Government Sustainable Buildings Guidebook: Environmentally Responsible Building Design
and Management. The guidebook, produced with the support of the EPA Office of Administration
and Resources Management, provides an overview of the issues that are involved in sustainable
building practices. It is available from Public Technology, Inc., 1301 Pennsylvania Avenue, NW,
Washington DC 20004-1793, 800 852-4934, 202 625-2400.
Pollution Prevention in the Federal Government (EPA300-B-94-007), April 1994. This document
discusses federal implementation of a series of executive orders related to 12783 including EO
12856 on Pollution Prevention; EO 12902 on Energy Efficiency; and EOs 12843, 12844, and
12845 on the acquisition of specific products that have environmental implications.
Pollution Prevention and Right-to-Know in the Government (EPA100-K-93-001), October 1993.
This booklet discusses implementation of Executive Order 12856 on preventing pollution at its
source by substituting less hazardous materials, improving maintenance, and employing more effi-
cient production processes.
Procurement Guidelines for Government Agencies (EPA530-SW-91-011), December 1990. This
fact sheet summarizes EPAs procurement guidelines on paper and paper products, re-refined oil,
retread tires, building insulation, and cement and concrete containing fly ash.
Report to Congress, Resource Conservation and Recovery Act: A Report on Agencies'
Implementation for FY 1992 and 1993, July 1994, Office of Management and Budget, Office of
Federal Procurement Policy. This report summarizes Federal agency implementation of RCRA
Section 6002 and Executive Order 12873 for fiscal years 1992 and 1993.
The RCRA Hotline also provides information on environmental procurement. Callers within the
Washington Metropolitan Area must dial 703-412-9810 or TDD 703-412-3323 (Hearing
impaired). Long-distance callers should dial 1-800-424-9346 or TDD l-800-553~-7672.
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