CONSOLIDATED RECOVERED MATERIALS ADVISORY NOTICE (RMAN) FOR THE COMPREHENSIVE PROCUREMENT GUIDELINE (CPG) Compiled December 1997 (Revised March 1998, June 1998, January 2000) EPA530-R-02-017 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Office Of Solid Waste ------- CONSOLIDATED RECOVERED MATERIALS ADVISORY NOTICE (RMAN) EPA's Comprehensive Procurement Guideline (CPG) designates recycled content products that government agencies should buy. EPA publishes purchasing guidance and recommendations for recycled content levels in Recovered Material Advisory Notices (RMANs) that accompany each CPG, and updates its guidance annually. For the convenience of procurement officials, this document represents a compilation of the five RMANs published by EPA to date. The Federal Register citations are as follows: RMAN I: 60 FR 21386, May 1, 1995 Paper Products RMAN: 61 FR 26986, May 29, 1996 RMAN II: 62 FR 60995, November 13, 1997 Paper Products RMAN II: 63 FR 31214, June 8, 1998 RMAN III: 65 FR 3082, January 19, 2000 ------- EPA has designated a total of 54 items in eight product categories, as follows: Paper and Paper Products Printing and Writing Papers Newsprint Sanitary Tissue Products Paperboard and Packaging Miscellaneous Paper Products Vehicular Products Lubricating Oil Retread Tires Engine Coolants Construction Products Building Insulation Structural Fiberboard Laminated Paperboard Cement and Concrete with Coal Fly Ash Cement and Concrete with Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag Polyester Carpet Floor Tiles and Patio Blocks Shower and Restroom Dividers/Partitions Consolidated and Reprocessed Latex Paint Carpet Cushion Flowable Fill Railroad Grade Crossing Surfaces Transportation Products Temporary Traffic Control Devices Parking Stops Channelizers Delineators Flexible Delineators Park and Recreation Products Playground Surfaces and Running Tracks Plastic Fencing Park Benches and Picnic Tables Playground Equipment Landscaping Products Hydraulic Mulch Yard Trimmings Compost Garden and Soaker Hoses Lawn and Garden Edging Plastic Lumber Landscaping Timbers and Posts Food Waste Compost Non-Paper Office Products Office Recycling Containers Office Waste Receptacles Plastic Desktop Accessories Toner Cartridges Binders Plastic Trash Bags Printer Ribbons Plastic Envelopes Solid Plastic Binders Plastic Clipboards Plastic File Folders Plastic Clip Portfolios Plastic Presentation Folders Miscellaneous Products Pallets Sorbents Industrial Drums Awards and Plaques Mats Manual-grade Strapping Signage ------- Contents I. General Recommendations Part A ~ Definitions Part B Specifications Part C ~ Affirmative Procurement Programs II. Specific Recommendations for Procurement of Designated Items Part A ~ Paper and Paper Products Section A-l ~ Printing and Writing Papers Section A-2 ~ Newsprint Section A-3 ~ Sanitary Tissue Products Section A-4 ~ Paperboard and Packaging Section A-5 ~ Miscellaneous Paper Products Section A-6 ~ Other Recommendations for Paper and Paper Products Section A-7 Definitions Appendix A-l ~ Example Calculation of Postconsumer Fiber Content of a Corrugated Container Part B ~ Vehicular Products Section B-l - Lubricating Oil Section B-2 ~ Retread Tires Section B-3 ~ Engine Coolants Part C Construction Products Section C-l ~ Building Insulation Section C-2 ~ Structural Fiberboard and Laminated Paperboard Section C-3 ~ Cement and Concrete Section C-4 ~ Polyester Carpet Section C-5 ~ Floor Tiles and Patio Blocks Section C-6 ~ Shower and Restroom Dividers/Partitions Section C-7 ~ Reprocessed and Consolidated Latex Paints Section C-8 ~ Carpet Cushion Section C-9 - Flowable Fill Section C-10 - Railroad Grade Crossing Surfaces Part D Transportation Products Section D-l ~ Temporary Traffic Control Devices Section D-2 ~ Parking Stops Section D-3 ~ Channelizers, Delineators, and Flexible Delineators 111 ------- Part E Park and Recreation Products Section E-l ~ Playground Surfaces and Running Tracks Section E-2 ~ Plastic Fencing Containing Recovered Plastic Section E-3 ~ Park Benches and Picnic Tables Section E-4 - Playground Equipment Part F Landscaping Products Section F-l ~ Hydraulic Mulch Section F-2 ~ Compost Made from Yard Trimmings and/or Food Waste Section F-3 ~ Garden and Soaker Hoses Section F-4 - Lawn and Garden Edging Section F-5 ~ Plastic Lumber Landscaping Timbers and Posts Part G Non-Paper Office Products Section G-l ~ Office Recycling Containers and Office Waste Receptacles Section G-2 ~ Plastic Desktop Accessories Section G-3 ~ Toner Cartridges Section G-4 ~ Binders Section G-5 ~ Plastic Trash Bags Section G-6 - Printer Ribbons Section G-7 ~ Plastic Envelopes Section G-8 ~ Solid Plastic Binders, Clipboards, File Folders, Clip Portfolios, Presentation Folders Part H ~ Miscellaneous Products Section H-l ~ Pallets Containing Recovered Wood, Plastic, or Paperboard Section H-2 ~ Sorbents Section H-3 - Industrial Drums Section H-4 ~ Awards and Plaques Section H-5 - Mats Section H-6 ~ Manual-grade Strapping Section H-7 ~ Signage IV ------- I. General Recommendations Part A Definitions As used in this Recovered Materials Advisory Notice: Act or RCRA means the Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C 6901 et seq; Federal agency means any department, agency, or other instrumentality of the federal government; any independent agency or establishment of the federal government including any government corporation; and the Government Printing Office; Person means an individual, trust, firm, joint stock company, corporation (including a government corporation), partnership, association, federal agency, State, municipality, commission, political subdivision of a State, or any interstate body; Postconsumer material means a material or finished product that has served its intended use and has been diverted or recovered from waste destined for disposal, having completed its life as a consumer item. Postconsumer material is a part of the broader category of recovered materials: Postconsumer recovered materials, for purposes of purchasing paper and paper products, is a subset of the broader term recovered materials, as defined in RCRA section 6002(h), and means: (1) Paper, paperboard, and fibrous wastes from retail stores, office buildings, homes, and so forth, after they have passed through their end-usage as a consumer item including: used corrugated boxes; old newspapers; old magazines; mixed waste paper; tabulating cards and used cordage; and (2) All paper, paperboard, and fibrous wastes that enter and are collected from municipal solid waste; Procuring agency means any federal agency, or any State agency or agency of a political subdivision of a State, which is using appropriated federal funds for such procurement, or any person contracting with any such agency with respect to work performed under such contract; Recovered materials means waste materials and byproducts 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. Part B ~ Specifications EPA recommends that federal agencies review and revise their product specifications with a view to eliminating unnecessary stringency as well as requirements which bear no relation to function in order to allow for the use of recovered materials. Specifications that bear no relation to function should be revised according to the agency's established specifications review procedures. EPA further recommends that, in reviewing an existing specification's provisions pertaining to function, federal agencies refer to existing voluntary standards and research by organizations such as the American Society for Testing and Materials (ASTM), the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials [GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS] 1-1 ------- (AASHTO), the Technical Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI), and the American Institute of Paper Chemistry. Federal agencies that reference Commercial Item Descriptions (CIDs) or appropriate industry standards should continue to reference them when purchasing designated items. However, agencies should review or modify CIDs and industry standards, as appropriate, to be certain that the use of recovered materials is allowed. Under RCRA section 6002, federal agencies need not revise specifications to allow or require the use of recovered materials if it can be determined that for technical reasons, for a particular end use, a product containing such materials will not meet reasonable performance standards. EPA recommends that federal agencies document such determinations and that the determination be based on technical performance information (including any product testing) pertaining to a specific item or application. EPA further recommends that federal agencies reference such documentation in the contract files for subsequent procurement of the specific item. In most cases, for the items designated in the CPG, EPA has recovered materials content levels for specific types or grades of items or for certain applications. EPA notes, however, that the intent is not to preclude federal agencies from procuring other types or grades of items, or from using recovered materials content items for other applications. On the contrary, if a new type or grade of a designated item becomes available containing recovered materials or if a federal agency discovers a new application for which recovered materials content is appropriate, EPA encourages the agency to revise its specifications or develop new specifications to allow the use of recovered materials in that type or grade of item or that specific application. Part C Affirmative Procurement Programs EPA recommends that the Environmental Executive within each major procuring agency take the lead in developing the agency's affirmative procurement program and in implementing the recommendations set forth in this RMAN. The basic responsibilities of an Agency Environmental Executive are described in sections 302 and 402 of Executive Order 13101, "Greening the Government Through Waste Prevention, Recycling, and Federal Acquisition," (63 FR 49643, September 14, 1998). In the absence of such an individual, EPA recommends that the head of the implementing agency appoint an individual who will be responsible for ensuring the agency's compliance with RCRA section 6002 and Executive Order 13101. RCRA section 6002 and Executive Order 13101 require procuring agencies to establish affirmative procurement programs for each EPA-designated item. EPA recommends that each agency develop a single, comprehensive affirmative procurement program with a structure that allows for the integration of new items as they are designated. Consistent with Executive Order 13101, EPA encourages agencies to implement preference programs for nonguideline items as well, in order to maximize their purchases of recycled-content products and foster markets for recovered materials. [GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS] 1-2 ------- Preference Program: In Section II of this RMAN, EPA provides specific recommendations for procuring agencies to use when purchasing the EPA-designated items. For most of these items, EPA recommends that procuring agencies establish minimum-content standards based on EPA's recommended recovered materials content levels and the procuring agencies' own research. For other items, the use of minimum content standards is inappropriate, and procuring agencies should establish an alternative program, as recommended by EPA. In addition, EPA recommends that procuring agencies review their procurement practices and eliminate those that would inhibit or preclude the use of an item containing recovered materials. Specific examples of such procurement practices are provided in the item-specific recommendations, where appropriate. Promotion Program EPA recommends that procuring agencies include both internal and external promotion in their affirmative procurement programs. There are several methods that procuring agencies can use to educate their employees about their affirmative procurement programs. These methods include preparing and distributing agency affirmative procurement policies, publishing articles in agency newsletters and publications, including affirmative procurement program requirements in agency staff manuals, and conducting workshops and training sessions to educate employees about their responsibilities under agency affirmative procurement programs. Methods for educating existing contractors and potential bidders regarding an agency's preference for purchasing products containing recovered materials include publishing articles in appropriate trade publications, participating in vendor shows and trade fairs, placing statements in solicitations, and discussing an agency's affirmative procurement program at bidders' conferences. Monitoring: EPA recommends that procuring agencies monitor their affirmative procurement programs, in accordance with RCRA section 6002(I)(2)(D) and Executive Order 13101, to ensure that they are fulfilling their requirements to purchase items composed of recovered materials to the maximum extent practicable. EPA anticipates that the Federal Environmental Executive and the Office of Federal Procurement Policy will request information from Federal agencies on their affirmative procurement practices. Therefore, EPA recommends that Federal procuring agencies maintain adequate records of procurement that may be affected by the Executive Order and RCRA requirements. EPA recommends that procuring agencies track their purchases of products containing recovered materials to establish benchmarks from which progress can be assessed. To maintain adequate records on procurement of products containing recovered materials, EPA recommends that procuring agencies choose to collect data on the following: The minimum percentages of recovered materials content in the items procured or offered; Comparative price information on competitive procurement; The quantity of each item procured over a fiscal year; The availability of each item with recovered materials content; and Performance information related to recovered materials content of an item. [GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS] 1-3 ------- EPA recognizes that a procuring agency may be unable to obtain accurate data for all designated items. However, the Agency believes that in many cases, estimated data will suffice in determining the effectiveness of the agency's affirmative procurement program. Certification: Certification of the recovered materials content in products is an important mechanism for encouraging the use of recovered materials in finished products. Because each product will be different, EPA recommends that procuring agencies discuss certification with product vendors to ascertain the appropriate period for certifying recovered materials content. EPA recommends that, whenever feasible, the recovered materials content of a product be certified on a batch-by-batch basis or as an average over a calendar quarter or some other appropriate averaging period as determined by the procuring agencies. [GENERAL RECOMMENDATIONS] 1-4 ------- II. Specific Recommendations for Procurement of Designated Items Part A Paper and Paper Products Section A-l Printing and Writing Papers Preference Program: EPA recommends that procuring agencies establish minimum content standards expressed as a percentage of recovered fiber, including a percentage of postconsumer fiber. EPA recommends that procuring agencies base their minimum content standards for uncoated and coated printing and writing papers on the content levels shown in Tables A-la, A-lb, and A-lc, respectively. EPA further recommends that if a paper product containing 30% postconsumer fiber is not reasonably available, then procuring agencies establish the highest postconsumer fiber content levels available. Percentages are based on the fiber weight of the product. The content levels in the tables should be read as X% recovered fiber, including Y% postconsumer fiber and not as X% recovered fiber plus Y% postconsumer fiber. Where the content level is the same in both columns (e.g., 30% in both the recovered fiber and postconsumer fiber columns), this means that EPA is recommending that agencies establish identical content levels for both postconsumer and recovered fiber. Table A-la. ~ Recommended Recovered Fiber Content Levels for Uncoated Printing and Writing Papers Item Reprographic Paper (e.g., mimeo and duplicator paper, high-speed copier paper, and bond paper*) Offset Paper (e.g., offset printing paper*, book paper*, bond paper*) Tablet Paper (e.g., office paper such as note pads, stationery* and other writing* papers) Forms Bond (e.g., forms, computer printout paper, ledger*) Envelope Paper Wove Kraft White and colored (including manila) Unbleached Cotton Fiber Paper (e.g., cotton fiber papers, ledger*, stationery* and matching envelopes, anH nthffr writincr* nnnfWl Recovered Fiber (%) 30 30 30 30 30 10-20 10 30 Postconsumer Fiber (%) 30 30 30 30 30 10-20 10 30 [PART A - PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS] II.A-1 ------- Item Text & Cover Paper (e.g., cover stock, book paper*, stationery* and matching envelopes, and other writing* paper) Supercalendered Machine finish groundwood Papeteries Check Safety Paper Recovered Fiber (%) 30 10 10 30 10 Postconsumer Fiber (%) 30 10 10 30 10 * These items can be made from a variety of printing and writing papers, depending on the performance characteristics of the item. Some of the papers are a commodity-type and some are specialty papers. EPA recommends that procuring agencies determine the performance characteristics required of the paper prior to establishing minimum content standards. For example, bond, ledger, or stationery made from cotton fiber paper or a text & cover paper have different characteristics than similar items made from commodity papers. Table A-lb. ~ Recommended Recovered Fiber Content Levels for Coated Printing and Writing Papers Item Coated Printing Paper Carbonless Recovered Fiber (%) 10 30 Postconsumer Fiber (%) 10 30 Table A-lc. ~ Recommended Recovered Fiber Content Levels for Bristols Item File Folders (manila and colored) Dyed Filing Products Cards (index, postal, and other, including index sheets) Pressboard Report Covers and Binders Tags and Tickets Recovered Fiber (%) 30 20-50 50 50 20-50 Postconsumer Fiber (%) 30 20 20 20 20 [PART A - PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS] II.A-2 ------- Section A-2 ~ Newsprint Preference Program: EPA recommends that procuring agencies establish minimum content standards expressed as a percentage of recovered fiber, including a percentage of postconsumer fiber. EPA recommends that procuring agencies base their minimum content standards for newsprint on the content levels shown in Table A-2. Percentages are based on the fiber weight of the product. The content levels in the table should be read as X% recovered fiber, including Y% postconsumer fiber and not as X% recovered fiber plus Y% postconsumer fiber. Table A-2. ~ Recommended Recovered Fiber Content Levels for Newsprint Item Newsprint Recovered Fiber (%) 20 - 100 Postconsumer Fiber (%) 20-85 [PART A - PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS] II.A-3 ------- Section A-3 Commercial/Industrial Sanitary Tissue Products Preference Program: EPA recommends that procuring agencies establish minimum content standards expressed as a percentage of recovered fiber, including a percentage of postconsumer fiber. EPA recommends that procuring agencies base their minimum content standards for commercial/industrial tissue products on the content levels shown in Table A-3. Percentages are based on the fiber weight of the product. The content levels in the table should be read as X% recovered fiber, including Y% postconsumer fiber and not as X% recovered fiber plus Y% postconsumer fiber. Table A-3. ~ Recommended Recovered Fiber Content Levels for Commercial/Industrial Sanitary Tissue Products Item Bathroom tissue Paper towels Paper napkins Facial tissue General purpose industrial wipers Recovered Fiber (%) 20 - 100 40 - 100 30 - 100 10 - 100 40 - 100 Postconsumer Fiber (%) 20-60 40-60 30-60 10-15 40 [PART A - PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS] II.A-4 ------- Section A-4 Paperboard and Packaging Products Preference Program: EPA recommends that procuring agencies establish minimum content standards expressed as a percentage of recovered fiber, including a percentage of postconsumer fiber. EPA recommends that procuring agencies base their minimum content standards for paperboard and packaging products on the content levels shown in Table A-4. Percentages are based on the fiber weight of the product. The content levels in the table should be read as X% recovered fiber, including Y% postconsumer fiber and not as X% recovered fiber plus Y% postconsumer fiber. Where the content level is the same in both columns (e.g., 40% in both the recovered fiber and postconsumer fiber columns), this means that EPA is recommending that agencies establish identical content levels for postconsumer and recovered fiber. Table A-4. ~ Recommended Recovered Fiber Content Levels for Paperboard and Packaging Products Item Corrugated containers* (<300 psi) (300 psi) Solid Fiber Boxes Folding cartons** Industrial paperboard (e.g., tubes, cores, drums, and cans) Miscellaneous (e.g., pad backs, covered binders, book covers, mailing tubes, protective packaging) Padded mailers Carrierboard*** Brown papers (e.g., wrap- ping paper and bags) Recovered Fiber (%) 25-50 25-30 40 100 100 90 - 100 5-15 10 - 100 5-40 Postconsumer Fiber (%) 25-50 25-30 40 40-80 45 - 100 75 - 100 5-15 10-15 5-20 * The recovered fiber and postconsumer fiber content is calculated from the content of each component relative to the weight each contributes to the total weight of the box. See Appendix I for an example. ** The recommended content ranges are not applicable to all types of paperboard used in folding cartons. Cartons made from solid bleached sulfate or solid unbleached sulfate contain no or small percentages of postconsumer fiber, depending on the paperboard source. * "Carrierboard made from unbleached kraft contains up to 25% recovered fiber, while carrierboard made from recycled paperboard contains up to 100% recovered fiber. [PART A - PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS] II.A-5 ------- Section A-5 ~ Miscellaneous Paper Products Preference Program: EPA recommends that procuring agencies establish minimum content standards expressed as a percentage of recovered fiber, including a percentage of postconsumer fiber. EPA recommends that procuring agencies base their minimum content standards for the listed paper products on the content levels shown in Table A-5. Percentages are based on the fiber weight of the product. The content levels in the table should be read as 100% recovered fiber, including X% postconsumer fiber and not as 100% recovered fiber plus Y% postconsumer fiber. Table A-5. ~ Recommended Recovered Fiber Content Levels for Miscellaneous Paper Products Item Tray liners Recovered Fiber (%) 100 Postconsumer Fiber (%) 50-75 [PART A - PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS] II.A-6 ------- Section A-6 ~ Other Recommendations for Paper and Paper Products Measurement: EPA recommends that procuring agencies express their minimum content standards as a percentage of the fiber weight of the paper or paper product. EPA further recommends that procuring agencies specify that mill broke cannot be counted toward postconsumer or recovered fiber content, except that procuring agencies should permit mills to count mill broke generated in a papermaking process using postconsumer and/or recovered fiber as feedstock toward "postconsumer fiber" or "recovered fiber" content, to the extent that the feedstock contained these materials. In other words, if a mill uses less than 100% postconsumer or recovered fiber, only a proportional amount of broke can be counted towards postconsumer or recovered fiber content. Specifications: EPA recommends that procuring agencies review specifications provisions pertaining to performance and aesthetics and revise provisions that can impede use of postconsumer and recovered fiber, unless such provisions are related to reasonable performance standards. Agencies should determine whether performance provisions are unnecessarily stringent for a particular end use. Agencies also should revise aesthetics provisions ~ such as brightness, dirt count, or shade matching ~ if appropriate, consistent with the agencies' performance requirements, in order to allow for a higher use of postconsumer and recovered fiber. EPA recommends that procuring agencies document determinations that paper products containing postconsumer and recovered fiber will not meet the agencies' reasonable performance standards. Any determination should be based on technical performance information related to a specific item, not a grade of paper or type of product. EPA recommends that procuring agencies watch for changes in the use of postconsumer and recovered fiber in paper and paper products. When a paper or a paper product containing postconsumer and recovered fiber is produced in types and grades not previously available, at a competitive price, procuring agencies should either revise specifications to allow the use of such type or grade, or develop new specifications for such type or grade, consistent with the agencies' performance requirements. Recyclability: EPA recommends that procuring agencies consider the effect of a procurement of a paper product containing recovered and postconsumer fiber on their paper collection programs by assessing the impact of their decision on their overall contribution to the solid waste stream. [PART A-PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS] II.A-7 ------- Section A-7 ~ Definitions For purposes of the recommendations contained in this Part, terms shall have the following meanings: "Postconsumer fiber" means: (1) Paper, paperboard, and fibrous wastes from retail stores, office buildings, homes, and so forth, after they have passed through their end-usage as a consumer item, including: used corrugated boxes; old newspapers; old magazines; mixed waste paper; tabulating cards; and used cordage; and (2) All paper, paperboard, and fibrous wastes that enter and are collected from municipal solid waste. Postconsumer fiber does not include fiber derived from printers' over-runs, converters' scrap, and over- issue publications. "Recovered fiber" means the following materials: (1) Postconsumer fiber such as: (A) Paper, paperboard, and fibrous materials from retail stores, office buildings, homes, and so forth, after they have passed through their end-usage as a consumer item, including: used corrugated boxes; old newspapers; old magazines; mixed waste paper; tabulating cards; and used cordage; and (B) All paper, paperboard, and fibrous materials that enter and are collected from municipal solid waste, and (2) Manufacturing wastes such as: (A) Dry paper and paperboard waste generated after completion of the papermaking process (that is, those manufacturing operations up to and including the cutting and trimming of the paper machine reel into smaller rolls or rough sheets) including: envelope cuttings, bindery trimmings, and other paper and paperboard waste resulting from printing, cutting, forming, and other converting operations; bag, box, and carton manufacturing wastes; and butt rolls, mill wrappers, and rejected unused stock; and (B) Repulped finished paper and paperboard from obsolete inventories of paper and paperboard manufacturers, merchants, wholesalers, dealers, printers, converters, or others. "Mill broke" means any paper waste generated in a paper mill prior to completion of the papermaking process. It is usually returned directly to the pulping process. Mill broke is excluded from the definition of "recovered fiber." [PART A-PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS] II.A-8 ------- Appendix A-l. Example Calculation of Postconsumer Fiber Content of a Corrugated Container C-flute has a take-up factor of approximately 1.44, which means that for each one foot of combined corrugated board there is 1.44 feet of fluted medium. This factor is used to calculate the weight of paperboard in a given area of combined corrugated board, from which the basis weight of the board is derived. Each linerboard contributes 35% of the basis weight (42/121.4). The medium contributes 30% of the total basis weight (37.4/121.4). Board Basis Weight (Ibs/MSF) Linerboard #1 42x1.00 = 42.0 Medium 26x1.44 = 37.4 Linerboard #2 42x1.00 = 42.0 Combined Board Weight 121.4 Ibs/MSF If the linerboard used has 20% postconsumer fiber and the medium has 80% postconsumer fiber, the resulting total postconsumer fiber content of the containerboard is as follows: Linerboard: .35 x .20 = .07 x 2 = . 14 (or 14%) Medium: .30 x .80 = .24 (or 24%) Total postconsumer fiber: .14 + .24 = .38 (or 38%) [PART A-PAPER AND PAPER PRODUCTS] II.A-9 ------- Part B Vehicular Products Section B-l ~ Lubricating Oil Preference Program: EPA recommends that procuring agencies set their minimum re-refined oil content standard at the highest level of re-refined oil that they determine meets the statutory requirements of RCRA section 6002(c)(l), but no lower than 25 percent re-refined oil. EPA recommends that procuring agencies review their procurement practices and eliminate those which would inhibit or preclude procurement of lubricating oils containing re-refined oil. For example, procuring agencies should review the practices of inviting bids and issuing contracts to do the following: (1) Supply a broad range of lubricating oil products on an "all or none" basis. (2) Supply lubricating oils for an excessively long period of time. (3) Deliver lubricating oils to geographic locations throughout the United States or to an excessively broad geographic area. (4) Supply excessively large contract quantities. Specifications: EPA recommends that procuring agencies use the following specifications when procuring lubricating oils containing re-refined oil: (1) Engine lubricating oils. (I) A-A-52039 ~ Commercial Item Description, Lubricating Oil, Automotive Engine, API Service SG (replaced MIL-L-46152, Lubricating Oil, Internal Combustion Engine, Administrative Service). (ii) API Engine Service Category SF ~ 1980 Gasoline Engine Warranty Maintenance Service (or current category) (iii) A-A-52306 ~ Commercial Item Description, Lubricating Oil, Heavy-Duty Diesel Engine (for wheeled vehicles only) (iv) API Engine Service Category CC ~ Diesel Engine Service (or current category) (v) MIL-L-2104, Lubricating Oil, Internal Combustion Engine, Combat/Tactical Service (vi) API Engine Service Category CD ~ Diesel Engine Service (or current category) (vii) MIL-L-21260D (or current version) ~ Lubricating Oil, Internal Combustion Engine, Preservative and Break-in (viii) MIL-L-46167B (or current version) - Lubricating Oil, Internal Combustion Engine, Arctic (2) Hydraulic fluids. (I) MIL-H-5606E (or current version) ~ Hydraulic Fluid, Petroleum Base, Aircraft, Missile, and Ordnance (ii) MIL-H-6083E (or current version) ~ Hydraulic Fluid, Petroleum Base, For Preservation and Operation (3) Gear oils. (I) MIL-L-2105D (or current version) Lubricating Oil, Gear, Multipurpose [PART B - VEHICULAR PRODUCTS] II.B-1 ------- (b) Copies of the military specifications can be obtained from: Commanding Officer, Naval Publications and Forms Center, 5801 Tabor Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19120. Section B-2 ~ Retread Tires Preference Program: EPA recommends that procuring agencies establish preference programs consisting of two components: (1) Procurement of tire retreading services for the agencies' used tire casings. EPA recommends that procuring agencies specify that tire repair and retread services must conform to Federal Specification ZZ- T-441H (or current version); obtain retreading services from retreaders participating in the U.S. General Services Administration, Federal Tire Program's Quality Assurance Facility Inspection Program (QAFIP); and require bidders to submit a copy of their current certification under the QAFIP. (2) Procurement of tires through competition between vendors of new tires and vendors of retread tires. EPA recommends that procuring agencies specify that retread tires must meet the requirements of Federal Specification ZZ-T-381, "Tires, Pneumatic, Vehicular (Highway) (New and Retreaded)," and be listed on Qualified Products List QPL-ZZ-T-381, issue in effect. EPA further recommends that procuring agencies require bidders to submit a copy of their current certification under the U.S. General Services Administration, Federal Tire Program's Quality Assurance Facility Inspection Program (QAFIP). In the event that identical low bids are received in response to a solicitation, all other factors being equal, procuring agencies should provide a preference to the vendor offering to supply the greatest number of retread tires. [PART B - VEHICULAR PRODUCTS] II.B-2 ------- Section B-3 ~ Engine Coolants Preference Program: EPA recommends that procuring agencies whose vehicles are serviced by a motor pool or vehicle maintenance facility establish a program for engine coolant reclamation and reuse, consisting of either reclaiming the spent engine coolants on-site for use in the agencies' vehicles, or establishing a service contract for reclamation of the agencies' spent engine coolant for use in the agencies' vehicles. EPA also recommends that procuring agencies request reclaimed engine coolant when having their vehicles serviced at commercial service centers. Additionally, EPA recommends that agencies purchase reclaimed engine coolant when making direct purchases of this item such as when necessary to make up for losses due to leakage or spillage. EPA does not recommend one type of engine coolant over another. However, EPA recommends that procuring agencies purchase engine coolant containing only one base chemical, typically ethylene glycol or propylene glycol, to prevent the commingling of incompatible types of engine coolant. [PART B - VEHICULAR PRODUCTS] II.B-3 ------- Part C ~ Construction Products Note: Refer to Part F - Landscaping Products for additional items that can be used in construction. Section C-l - Building Insulation Note: EPA recommended purchasing practices, including recovered materials content levels, for thermal building insulation products in RMAN I. EPA revised those recommendations in RMAN III by adding a recovered materials content level for plastic batt building insulation. Procuring agencies should substitute the revised Table C-l shown below for the recommendations found in section C-l of the 1995 RMAN I. Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered materials content levels shown in Table C-l (Revised), procuring agencies establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing building insulation products. Table C-l.(Revised) - Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Building Insulation Insulation Material Rock Wool Fiberglass Cellulose loose-fill and spray-on Perlite composite board Plastic, non-woven batt Plastic Rigid Foam, Polyisocyanurate/polyurethane: Rigid foam Foam-in-place Glass fiber reinforced Phenolic rigid foam Recovered Materials (Materials and %} Slag 75 Glass cullet 20-25 Postconsumer paper 75 Postconsumer paper 23 Recovered and/or postconsumer plastics 100 Recovered material 9 Recovered material 5 Recovered material 6 Recovered material 5 Note: The recommended recovered materials content levels are based on the weight (not volume) of materials in the insulating core only. [PART C - CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS] II.C-1 ------- Specifications: EPA recommends that procuring agencies reference ASTM standard specification D 5359, "Glass Gullet Recovered from Waste for Use in Manufacture of Glass Fiber," in Invitations for Bid and Requests for Proposal. [PART C - CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS] II. C-2 ------- Section C-2 ~ Structural Fiberboard and Laminated Paperboard Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered materials content levels shown in Table C-2, procuring agencies establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing structural fiberboard or laminated paperboard products for use in either insulating or structural applications. Table C-2.--Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Structural Fiberboard and Laminated Paperboard Product Structural fiberboards Laminated paperboards Postconsumer Recovered Paper (%) 100 Total Recovered Materials Content (%) 80 - 100 100 Note: The recovered materials content levels are based on the weight (not volume) of materials in the insulating core only. Specifications: EPA recommends that procuring agencies use ASTM Standard Specification C 208 and ANSI/AHA specification A194.1. EPA further recommends that, when purchasing structural fiberboard products containing recovered paper, procuring agencies (1) reference the technical requirements of ASTM C 208, "Insulating Board (Cellulosic Fiber), Structural and Decorative," (2) permit structural fiberboard products made from recovered paper where appropriate, and (3) permit products such as floor underlayment and roof overlay containing recovered paper. EPA further recommends that procuring agencies review their specifications for insulating products and revise them as necessary to obtain the appropriate "R"-value without unnecessarily precluding the purchase of products containing recovered materials. [PART C - CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS] II.C-3 ------- Section C-3-- Cement and Concrete Preference Program: EPA recommends that procuring agencies prepare or revise their procurement programs for cement and concrete or for construction projects involving cement and concrete to allow the use of coal fly ash or ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBF slag), as appropriate. EPA does not recommend that procuring agencies favor one recovered material over the other. Rather, EPA recommends that procuring agencies consider the use of both recovered materials and choose the one that meets their performance requirements, consistent with availability and price considerations. EPA also recommends that procuring agencies specifically include provisions in all construction contracts to allow for the use, as optional or alternate materials, of cement or concrete which contains coal fly ash, GGBF slag, cenospheres (10-15 percent by weight), or silica fume (5-20 percent by weight), where appropriate. Due to variations in coal fly ash, GGBF slag, cement, strength requirements, costs, and construction practices, EPA is not recommending recovered materials content levels for cement or concrete containing coal fly ash or GGBF slag. However, EPA is providing the following information about recovered materials content. Replacement rates of coal fly ash for cement in the production of blended cement generally do not exceed 20-30 percent, although coal fly ash blended cements may range from 0-40 percent coal fly ash by weight, according to ASTM C 595, for cement Types IP and I(PM). Fifteen percent is a more accepted rate when coal fly ash is used as a partial cement replacement as an admixture in concrete. According to ASTM C 595, GGBF slag may replace up to 70 percent of the Portland cement in some concrete mixtures. Most GGBF slag concrete mixtures contain between 25 and 50 percent GGBF slag by weight. EPA recommends that procuring agencies refer, at a minimum, to ASTM C 595 for the GGBF slag content appropriate for the intended use of the cement and concrete. Specifications: The following recommendations address guide specifications, materials specifications, contract specifications, performance standards, mix design, and quality control. Guide specifications. EPA recommends that procuring agencies ensure that their guide specifications do not inappropriately or unfairly discriminate against the use of coal fly ash or GGBF slag in cement and concrete. EPA further recommends that procuring agencies revise their guide specifications to require that contract specifications for individual construction projects or products allow for the use of coal fly ash or GGBF slag, unless the use of these materials is technically inappropriate for a particular construction application. Materials specifications. EPA recommends that procuring agencies use the existing voluntary consensus specifications referenced in Table C-3 for cement and concrete containing GGBF slag. [PART C - CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS] II. C-4 ------- Table C-3. ~ Recommended Specifications for Cement and Concrete Containing Recovered Materials Cement specifications Concrete specifications ASTM C 595, "Standard Specification for Blended Hydraulic Cements." ASTM C 618, "Standard Specification for Fly Ash and Raw or Calcined Natural Pozzolan for Use as a Mineral Admixture in Portland Cement Concrete." ASTM C 150, "Standard Specification for Portland Cement." ASTM C 311, "Standard Methods of Sampling and Testing Fly Ash and Natural Pozzolans for Use as a Mineral Admixture in Portland Cement Concrete." AASHTO M 240, "Blended Hydraulic Cements." ASTM C 989, "Ground Granulated Blast- Furnace Slag for Use in Concrete Mortars." AASHTO M 302, "Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag for Use in Concrete and Mortars." American Concrete Institute Standard Practice ACI 226.R1, "Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag as a Cementitious Constituent in Concrete." State specifications. EPA recommends that procuring agencies consult other agencies with established specifications for coal fly ash or GGBF slag to benefit from their experience. Procuring agencies can consult the Federal Highway Administration, which maintains a data base of state highway agency material specifications. The States of Alabama, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia have adopted specifications which allow the use of GGBF slag in one or more applications. If needed, procuring agencies can obtain these specifications from the respective state transportation departments and adapt them for use in their programs for cement and concrete, as appropriate. Contract specifications. EPA recommends that procuring agencies which prepare or review "contract" specifications for individual construction projects revise those specifications to allow the use of cement and concrete containing coal fly ash or GGBF slag as optional or alternate materials for the project, where appropriate, consistent with the agencies' performance and price objectives. Performance standards. EPA recommends that procuring agencies review and, if necessary, revise performance standards relating to cement or concrete construction projects to insure that they do not arbitrarily restrict the use of coal fly ash or GGBF slag, either intentionally or inadvertently, unless the restriction is justified on a job-by-job basis: (1) to meet reasonable performance requirements for the cement or concrete or (2) because the use of coal fly ash or GGBF slag would be inappropriate for technical reasons. EPA recommends that this justification be documented based on specific technical performance information. Legitimate documentation [PART C - CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS] II.C-5 ------- of technical infeasibility for coal fly ash or GGBF slag can be for certain classes of applications, rather than on a job-by-job basis. Procuring agencies should reference such documentation in individual contract specifications to avoid extensive repetition of previously documented points. However, procuring agencies should be prepared to submit such documentation to analysis by interested persons, and should have a review process available in the event of disagreements. Mix design. In concrete mix design specifications which specify minimum cement content or maximum water, the cement ratios could potentially unfairly discriminate against the use of coal fly ash or GGBF slag. Such specifications should be changed in order to allow the partial substitution of coal fly ash or GGBF slag for cement in the concrete mixture, unless technically inappropriate. Cement ratios may be retained, as long as they reflect the cementitious characteristics which coal fly ash or GGBF slag can impart to a concrete mixture, e.g., by considering Portland cement plus coal fly ash or Portland cement plus GGBF slag as the total cementitious component. Quality control. Nothing in this RMAN should be construed to relieve the contractor of responsibility for providing a satisfactory product. Cement and concrete suppliers are already responsible both for the quality of the ingredients of their product and for meeting appropriate performance requirements, and will continue to be under this RMAN. Nothing in EPA's recommendations should be construed as a shift in normal industry procedures for assigning responsibility and liability for product quality. Procuring agencies should expect suppliers of blended cement, coal fly ash or GGBF slag, and concrete to demonstrate (through reasonable testing programs or previous experience) the performance and reliability of their product and the adequacy of their quality control programs. However, procuring agencies should not subject cement and concrete containing coal fly ash or GGBF slag to any unreasonable testing requirements. In accordance with standard industry practice, coal fly ash and GGBF slag suppliers should be required to provide to users a statement of the key characteristics of the product supplied. These characteristics may be stated in appropriate ranges. Other characteristics should be requested as needed by the procuring agency. Agencies desiring a testing or quality assurance program for cements, blended cements, or coal fly ash should contact the U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, P.O. Box 631, Vicksburg, Mississippi 39180. [PART C - CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS] II. C-6 ------- Section C-4 ~ Carpet Note: EPA recommended purchasing practices, including specificatons, for polyester carpet in RMAN I. EPA is revising these recommendations to add a reference to the General Services Administration's carpet schedule and the current contract for polyester carpet containing recovered materials. All of EPA's other purchasing recommendations for polyester carpet, found in the 1995 RMAN I, remain unchanged. Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered materials content levels shown in Table C-4, procuring agencies establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing polyester carpet for light- and moderate-wear applications. This recommendation does not include polyester carpet for use in heavy-wear or severe-wear applications; however, procuring agencies are encouraged to evaluate the suitability of polyester carpet in these applications. These recommendations do not preclude a procuring agency from purchasing carpet made of other materials, such as nylon, wool, or polypropylene. EPA recommends that Federal procuring agencies use GSA's contract GS-27F-5069-C under Schedule 72, part I, section A, when purchasing polyester carpet containing recovered materials. Table C-4.- Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Carpet Product Polyester Carpet Face Fiber Resin PET Postconsumer Materials 25 - 100 Specifications: EPA recommends that Federal procuring agencies use GSA's New Item Introductory Schedule when purchasing polyester carpet containing recovered materials. EPA also recommends that procuring agencies review their specifications and revise them to permit, where suitable, the use of polyester carpet containing recovered materials. In particular, EPA recommends that agencies currently limiting carpet materials to nylon, wool, or other materials consider adding polyester, where appropriate, to enable them to procure carpet containing recovered materials. [PART C - CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS] II.C-7 ------- Section C-5 - Floor Tiles1 and Patio Blocks Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered materials content levels shown in Table C-5, procuring agencies establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing heavy-duty/commercial type floor tiles and patio blocks made with rubber or plastic. Table C-5. Recommended Recovered Materials Levels for Floor Tiles and Patio Blocks Product Patio Blocks Floor Tiles (heavy duty /commercial use) Material Rubber or Rubber Blends Plastic or Plastic Blends Rubber Plastic Postconsumer Materials (%) 90 - 100 90 - 100 Total Recovered Materials (%) 90 - 100 90-100 Note: The recommended recovered materials content levels are based on the dry weight of the raw materials, exclusive of any additives such as adhesives, binders, or coloring agents. EPA's recommendation does not preclude procuring agencies from purchasing floor tiles or patio blocks manufactured from another material. It simply recommends that procuring agencies, when purchasing floor tiles or patio blocks made from rubber or plastic, purchase these items made fromrecovered materials. Recommendations for floor tiles are limited to heavy-duty/commercial-type applications only. 'EPA clarified in 62 FR 60995, November 13, 1997 (RMAN II), that the use of floor tiles with recovered materials content may be appropriate only for specialty purpose uses (e.g., raised, open-web tiles for drainage on school kitchen flooring). Such specialty purpose uses involve limited flooring areas where grease, tar, snow, ice, wetness or similar substances or conditions are likely to be present. Thus, EPA has no recovered materials content level recommendations for floor tiles made with recovered materials for standard office or more general purpose uses. [PART C - CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS] II.C-8 ------- Section C-6 ~ Shower and Restroom Dividers/Partitions Containing Recovered Plastic or Steel Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered materials content levels shown in Table C-6, procuring agencies establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing shower and restroom dividers/partitions. Table C-6. Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Shower and Restroom Dividers/Partitions Containing Recovered Plastic or Steel Material Steel Plastic Postconsumer materials (%) 16 67 20-100 Total recovered materials content 25-30 100 20-100 Notes: EPA's recommendation does not preclude agencies from purchasing shower and restroom dividers/partitions manufactured from another material, such as wood. It simply recommends that procuring agencies, when purchasing shower and restroom dividers/partitions made from plastic or steel, purchase these items made from recovered materials when these items meet applicable specifications and performance requirements. The recommended recovered materials content levels for steel in this table reflect the fact that the designated items can be made from steel manufactured in either a Basic Oxygen Furnace (EOF) or an Electric Arc Furnace (EAF). Steel from the EOF process contains 25% - 30% total recovered materials, of which 16% is postconsumer steel. Steel from the EAF process contains a total of 100% recovered steel, of which 67% is postconsumer. Specifications: EPA recommends that procuring agencies use the following specifications when procuring shower and restroom dividers/partitions: (1) The American Institute of Architects (AIA) has issued guidance for specifying construction materials, including plastic and steel dividers/partitions. The AIA guidance is known throughout the construction industry as the "Masterspec" and is available through the U.S. General Services Administration (GSA). (2) U.S. Army Corps of Engineers' Guide Specification CEGS-10160, Toilet Partitions. [PART C - CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS] II.C-9 ------- Section C-7 ~ Reprocessed and Consolidated Latex Paints for Specified Uses Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered materials content levels shown in Table C-7, procuring agencies establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing reprocessed and consolidated latex paints. Table C-7. ~ Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Reprocessed and Consolidated Latex Paints Product Reprocessed latex paint White, off-white, and pastel colors Grey, brown, earthtones, and other dark colors Consolidated latex paint Postconsumer latex paint (%) 20 50-99 100 Notes: EPA's recommendations apply to reprocessed latex paints used for interior and exterior architectural applications such as wallboard, ceilings, and trim; gutter boards; and concrete, stucco, masonry, wood, and metal surfaces, and to consolidated latex paints used for covering graffiti, where color and consistency of performance are not primary concerns. EPA's recommendation does not preclude agencies from purchasing paints manufactured from other, non-latexmaterials, such as oil-based paints. It simply recommends that procuring agencies, when purchasing latex paints, purchase these items made from postconsumer recovered materials when these items meet applicable specifications and performance requirements. Reprocessed and consolidated latex paints are available to Federal agencies through the GSA Federal Supply Service by ordering the following stock numbers: National Stock Numbers Colors Semi-gloss FEDSTD 595B Color No. 8010-01-380-2400 Beige #27769 8010-01-380-2405 Blue-gray #26420 8010-01-380-2438 Sand-green #26307 8010-01-380-2382 Sand-gray #26306 8010-01-380-2331 Gray #26134 8010-01-380-2429 Dark gray #26081 8010-01-380-2338 Green #24491 8010-01-380-2379 Sand #23690 8010-01-380-2332 Tan #23617 8010-01-380-2417 Tan #20372 8010-01-380-2353 Sand-yellow #20318 8010-01-380-2363 Dark brown #20140 8010-01-380-2447 Red brown #20100 [PART C - CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS] II. C-10 ------- Flat FEDSTD595B Color No. 8010-01-380-3293 White #37886 8010-01-380-2425 Beige #37769 8010-01-380-2442 Blue-gray #36650 8010-01-380-2381 Gray #36134 8010-01-380-2367 Dark gray #36081 8010-01-380-2396 Blue #35526 8010-01-380-2366 Green #34491 8010-01-380-2421 Sand #33690 8010-01-380-2351 Tan #33617 8010-01-380-2416 Dark brown #30140 The GSA Federal Supply Service has a free paint brochure available by calling 1-800-241-RAIN or FAX requests to (206) 931-7544. Specifications: (1) EPA recommends that procuring agencies use GSA specification TT-P-2846, Paint, Latex (Recycled with Post-Consumer Waste). This specification applies to interior, exterior, and interior/exterior latex paints intended for use on wallboard, concrete, stucco, masonry, and wood. (2) GSA specification TT-P-2846 requires high content levels (50-90% postconsumer paint). EPA recommends that procuring agencies refer to the requirements and quality assurance provisions in TT-P-2846 when purchasing reprocessed latex paint containing lower levels of postconsumer paint (e.g., whites, off- whites, and pastel colors). [PART C - CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS] II. C-11 ------- Table C-8. Carpet Cushion Made from Bonded Polyurethane, Jute, Synthetic Fiber, or Rubber Containing Recovered Materials Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered materials content levels shown in Table C-8, procuring agencies establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing bonded polyurethane, jute, synthetic fiber, or rubber carpet cushion containing recovered materials. Table C-8. ~ Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Bonded Polyurethane, Jute, Synthetic Fiber, and Rubber Carpet Cushion Product Bonded polyurethane Jute Synthetic fibers Rubber Material Old carpet cushion Burlap Carpet fabrication scrap Tire rubber Postconsumer content (%) 15-50 40 60-90 Total recovered materials content (%) 15-50 40 100 60-90 Note: EPA's recommendations do not preclude a procuring agency from purchasing another type of carpet cushion. They simply require that procuring agencies, when purchasing bonded polyurethane, jute, synthetic fiber, or rubber carpet cushions, purchase these items made with recovered materials when these items meet applicable specifications and performance requirements. Refer to Section C-4 in RMAN I for EPA's recommendations for purchasing polyester carpet containing recovered materials. Specifications: EPA is not aware of carpet cushion specifications unique to carpet cushions containing recovered materials. Therefore, EPA recommends that procuring agencies use any appropriate standards set by the Carpet and Rug Institute and the Carpet Cushion Council when purchasing bonded polyurethane, jute, synthetic fiber, or rubber carpet cushion containing recovered materials. [PART C - CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS] II.C-12 ------- Section C-9. Flowable Fill Containing Coal Fly Ash and/or Ferrous Foundry Sands Preference Program: EPA recommends that procuring agencies use flowable fill containing coal fly ash and/or ferrous foundry sands for backfill and other fill applications. EPA further recommends that procuring agencies include provisions in all construction contracts involving backfill or other fill applications to allow for the use of flowable fill containing coal fly ash and/or ferrous foundry sands, where appropriate. The specific percentage of coal fly ash or ferrous foundry sands used in flowable fill depends on the specifics of the job, including the type of coal fly ash used (Class C or Class F); the strength, set time, and flowability needed; and bleeding and shrinkage. Therefore, EPA is not recommending specific coal fly ash or ferrous foundry sands content levels for procuring agencies to use in establishing minimum content standards for flowable fill. EPA recommends that procuring agencies refer to the mix proportions in Tables C-9a and C-9b for typical proportions for high and low coal fly ash content mixes. EPA further recommends that procuring agencies refer to American Concrete Institute (ACI) report ACI 229R-94 for guidance on the percentages of coal fly ash that can be used in flowable fill mixtures. Table C-9a. -Typical Proportions for High Fly Ash Content Flowable Fills Component Fly ash (95%) Cement (5%) Added water Range kg/m3 (lb/yd3) 949 to 1542 (1600 to 2600) 47 to 74 (80 to 125) 222 to 371 (375 to 625) Total: Mix Design kg/m3 (lb/yd3) 1234 (2080) 62 (104) 247 (416)* 1543 (2600) * Equal to 189 liters (50 gallons) Source: "Fly Ash Facts for Highway Engineers," FHWA-SA-94-081, U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, August 1995. Table C-9b. -Typical Proportions for Low Fly Ash Content Flowable Fills Component Fly ash (6% to \4%J Cement Sand Added water Range kg/m3 (lb/yd3) 119 to 297 (200 to 500) 30 to 119 (50 to 200) 1483 to 1780 (2500 to 3000) 198 to 494 (333 to 833) Total: Mix Design kg/m3 (lb/yd3) 178 (300) 59 (100) 1542 (2600) 297 (500)* 2076 (3500) ^High calcium fly ash is used in lower amounts than low calcium fly ash. * Equal to 227 liters (60 gallons) Source: "Fly Ash Facts for Highway Engineers," FHWA-SA-94-081, U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, August 1995. [PART C - CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS] II.C-13 ------- Specifications: The following recommendations address mix designs, test methods, and performance standards. Mix designs. EPA recommends that procuring agencies use ACI report ACI229R-94, "Controlled Low Strength Materials (CLSM)" and "Fly Ash Facts for Highway Engineers," (FHWA-SA-94- 081, U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Highway Administration, August 1995) in developing mix designs. Among other things, ACI229R-94 addresses materials, including coal fly ash and foundry sands, mix design, and mixing, transporting, and placing. It also provides examples of mixture designs containing coal fly used by the states of Iowa, Florida, Illinois, Indiana, Oklahoma, Michigan, Ohio, and South Carolina. "Fly Ash Facts for Highway Engineers" addresses materials, strength, flowability, time of set, bleeding and shrinkage. A mix design for the use of foundry sand and coal fly ash in flowable fill was developed for Ford Motor Company. Procuring agencies can obtain a copy of this design by contacting the RCRA Hotline at 1-800-424-9346. Table C-9c provides the recommended trial mixture from this specification. Table C-9c. ~ Materials Quantities for Flowable Fill Mixture Containing Foundry Sands and Coal Fly Ash Component Cement Coal fly ash Foundry sand Water Quantity per Cubic Yard 50 Ibs. 250 Ibs. 2850 Ibs. 500 Ibs. Materials specifications and test methods. EPA recommends that procuring agencies use ACI229R-94 and the ASTM standards listed in Table C-9d when purchasing flowable fill or contracting for construction that involves backfilling or other fill applications. EPA recommends that procuring agencies refer to ASTM C 33-93, "Standard Specification for Concrete Aggregates," to assure the quality and uniformity of the ferrous foundry sands used as aggregates in flowable fills. [PART C - CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS] II. C-14 ------- Table C-9d. Recommended Test Methods for Flowable Fills (Controlled Low Strength Materials) ASTM Specification Number D 4832-95el D 5239-92 D 5971-96 D 6103-07 D 6023-96 D 5971-96 D 6024-96 Title Standard Test Method for Preparation and Testing of Controlled Low Strength Material (CLSM) Test Cylinders Standard Practice for Characterizing Fly Ash for Use in Soil Stabilization Standard Practice for Sampling Freshly Mixed Controlled Low Strength Material Standard Test Method for Flow Consistency of Controlled Low Strength Material Standard Test Method for Unit Weight, Yield, Cement Content and Air Content (Gravimetric) of Controlled Low Strength Material (CLSM) Standard Practice for Sampling Freshly Mixed Controlled Low Strength Material Standard Test Method for Ball Drop on Controlled Low Strength Material (CLSM) to Determine Suitability for Load Application State specifications. The following states have specifications for flowable fill containing coal fly ash: California, Colorado, Delaware, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Kansas, Kentucky, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Mexico, North Carolina, Ohio, Texas, Washington, West Virginia, and Wisconsin. The state of Ohio has a specification entitled "Flowable Fill Made with Spent Foundry Sand," and the states of Pennsylvania, Wisconsin, and Indiana are developing specifications for using foundry sands in flowable fill. If needed, procuring agencies can obtain state specifications from the respective state transportation departments and adapt them for use in their programs. ACI229R-94 includes mix designs from several of these states. Contract specifications. EPA recommends that procuring agencies which prepare or review "contract" specifications for individual construction projects revise those specifications to allow the use of flowable fills containing coal fly ash and/or ferrous foundry sands. Performance standards. EPA recommends that procuring agencies review and, if necessary, revise performance standards relating to fill materials to insure that they do not arbitrarily restrict or preclude the use of flowable fills containing coal fly ash and/or ferrous foundry sands, either intentionally or inadvertently, unless the restriction is justified on a job-by-job basis: (1) to meet reasonable performance requirements for fill materials or (2) because the use of coal fly ash or ferrous foundry sands would be inappropriate for technical reasons. EPA recommends that this justification be documented based on specific performance information. Legitimate documentation of technical infeasibility can be for certain [PART C - CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS] II.C-15 ------- classes of applications, rather than on a job-by-job basis. Agencies should reference such documentation in individual contract specifications to avoid extensive repetition of previously documented points. However, procuring agencies should be prepared to submit such documentation to scrutiny by interested parties and should have a review process available in the event of disagreements. Promotion program: EPA recommends that, as part of the promotion programs required by section 6002(1) of the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, procuring agencies conduct demonstration programs for using flowable fills containing coal fly ash and/or ferrous foundry sands. EPA further recommends that procuring agencies educate construction contractors about the design, use, and performance of flowable fills containing coal fly ash and/or ferrous foundry sands. [PART C - CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS] II. C-16 ------- Section C-10. Railroad Grade Crossing Surfaces Containing Coal Fly Ash or Recovered Rubber or Steel Preference Program: EPA recommends that based on the recovered materials content levels shown in Table C-lOa, procuring agencies establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing concrete, rubber, or steel railroad grade crossing surfaces containing recovered materials. EPA further recommends that procuring agencies include provisions in all concrete railroad grade crossing construction contracts to allow for the use, as optional or alternate materials, of concrete containing coal fly ash, where appropriate. Table C-lOa. ~ Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Concrete, Rubber, or Steel Railroad Grade Crossing Surfaces Surface Material Concrete Rubber Steel Recovered Material Coal fly ash Tire rubber Steel Postconsumer content (%) ~ ~ 16 67 Total recovered materials content (%) 15-20 85-95 25-30 100 Notes: EPA's recommendations do not preclude a procuring agency from purchasing another type of railroad grade crossing surface, such as wood or asphalt. They simply require that procuring agencies, when purchasing concrete, rubber, or steel grade crossing surfaces, purchase these items made with recovered materials when these items meet applicable specifications and performance requirements. The recommended recovered materials content levels for rubber railroad grade crossing surfaces are based on the weight of the raw materials, exclusive of any additives such as binders or other additives. Coal fly ash can be used as an ingredient of concrete slabs, pavements, or controlled density fill product, depending on the type of concrete crossing system installed. Higher percentages of coal fly ash can be used in the concrete mixture; the higher percentages help to produce a more workable and durable product but can prolong the curing process. The recommended recovered materials content levels for steel in this table reflect the fact that the designated items can be made from steel manufactured in either a Basic Oxygen Furnace (EOF) or an Electric Arc Furnace (EAF). Steel from the EOF process contains 25% - 30% total recovered materials, of which 16% is postconsumer steel. Steel from the EAF process contains a total of 100% recovered steel, of which 67% is postconsumer. Specifications: EPA recommends that procuring agencies use the ASTM standards listed in Table C-lOb when purchasing rubber railroad grade crossing surfaces. EPA recommends that procuring agencies use the ASTM and AASHTO standards listed in Table C-lOc when purchasing concrete railroad grade crossing surfaces. [PART C - CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS] II.C-17 ------- Table C-lOb. Recommended Specifications for Rubber Railroad Grade Crossings ASTM Specification Number D 2000-96 D 2240-97 D 412-97 D 297-93 E 303-93 D 1171-94 D 573-88 D 395-89 D 257-93 D 2137-94 Title Rubber Products in Automotive Applications Rubber Property ~ Durometer Hardness Vulcanized Rubber and Thermoplastic Rubbers and Thermoplastic Elastomers ~ Tension Rubber Products - Chemical Analysis Measuring Surface Frictional Properties Using the British Pendulum Tester Rubber Deterioration ~ Surface Ozone Cracking Outdoors or Chamber (Triangular Specimens) Deterioration in an Air Oven Rubber Property ~ Compression Set DC Resistance or Conductance of Insulating Materials Rubber Property ~ Brittleness Point of Flexible Polymers and Coated Fabrics Table C-lOc. Recommended Specifications for Cement and Concrete Containing Recovered Materials Specification number ASTM C 595 ASTM C 150 AASHTO M 240 ASTM C 618 ASTM C 311 Title Standard Specification for Blended Hydraulic Cements Standard Specification for Portland Cement Blended Hydraulic Cements Standard Specification for Fly Ash and Raw or Calcined Natural Pozzolan for Use as a Mineral Admixture in Portland Cement Concrete Standard Methods of Sampling and Testing Fly Ash and Natural Pozzolans for Use as a Mineral Admixture in Portland Cement Concrete [PART C - CONSTRUCTION PRODUCTS] II.C-18 ------- Part D Transportation Products Section D-l ~ Temporary Traffic Control Devices Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered materials content levels shown in Table D-l, procuring agencies establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing traffic cones and traffic barricades. Table D-L Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Traffic Cones and Traffic Barricades Product Traffic Cones Traffic Barricades Material PVC, LDPE, Crumb Rubber HOPE, LDPE, PET Steel Fiberglass Postconsumer Materials (%) 80 - 100 16 67 Total Recovered Materials (%) 50 - 100 100 25-30 100 100 Notes: The recommended recovered materials content levels are based on the dry weight of the raw materials, exclusive of any additives such as adhesives, binders, or coloring agents. The recommended recovered materials content levels for steel in this table reflect the fact that the designated items can be made from steel manufactured in either a Basic Oxygen Furnace (EOF) or an Electric Arc Furnace (EAF). Steel from the EOF process contains 25% - 30% total recovered materials, of which 16% is postconsumer steel. Steel from the EAF process contains a total of 100% recovered steel, of which 67% is postconsumer. [PART D - TRANSPORTATION PRODUCTS] II.D-1 ------- Section D-2 ~ Parking Stops Made from Concrete or Containing Recovered Plastic or Rubber Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered materials content levels shown in Table D-2, procuring agencies establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing parking stops. Table D-2. ~ Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Parking Stops Made from Concrete or Containing Recovered Plastic or Rubber Material Postconsumer content (% Recovered materials content (% Plastic and/or rubber Concrete containing coal fly ash Concrete containing GGBF slag 100 20-40 25-70 Notes: Parking stops made with recovered plastics may also include other recovered materials such as sawdust, wood, or fiberglass. The percentage of these materials contained in the product would also count toward the recovered materials content level of the parking stops. ASTM specification C595M-95 Standard Specification for Blended Hydraulic Cements specifies the appropriate mix design, including recovered materials content, for concrete containing coal fly ash and GGBF slag. EPA's recommendation does not preclude a procuring agency from purchasing parking stops manufactured from another material. It simply requires that a procuring agency, when purchasing concrete parking stops or parking stops made with plastic or rubber, purchase these items made with recovered materials when these items meet applicable specifications and performance requirements. [PART D - TRANSPORTATION PRODUCTS] II.D-2 ------- Section D-3 ~ Channelizers, Delineators, and Flexible Delineators Containing Recovered Plastic, Rubber, or Steel Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered materials content levels shown in Table D-3, procuring agencies establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing channelizers, delineators, and flexible delineators. Table D-3. ~ Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Channelizers, Delineators, and Flexible Delineators Containing Recovered Plastic, Rubber, or Steel Product Channelizers Delineators Flexible delineators Material Plastic Rubber (base only) Plastics Rubber (base only) Steel (base only) Plastic Postconsumer content (%) 25-95 100 25-90 100 16% postconsumer and 25-30% total recovered materials or 67% postconsumer and 100% total recovered materials 25-85 Notes: EPA's recommendation does not preclude a procuring agency from purchasing channelizers, delineators, or flexible delineators manufactured from another material. It simply requires that a procuring agency, when purchasing these items made from rubber, plastic, or steel, purchase them made with recovered materials when these items meet applicable specifications and performance requirements. The recommended recovered materials content levels for steel in this table reflect the fact that the designated items can be made from steel manufactured in either a Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) or an Electric Arc Furnace (EAF). Steel from the BOF process contains 25% - 30% total recovered materials, of which 16% is postconsumer steel. Steel from the EAF process contains a total of 100% recovered steel, of which 67% is postconsumer. Specifications: EPA recommends that procuring agencies use the following specifications when procuring channelizers, delineators, and flexible delineators: (1) The Federal Highway Administration's Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices contains specifications for the size, shape, mounting, and placement of temporary traffic control devices. (2) The States of Florida and North Carolina have specifications that require the use of recovered materials in their flexible delineators. The California Department of Transportation (CALTRANS) has specifications for "Drivable Flexible Plastic Guide Marker and Clearance Marker Posts." A copy of these specifications are available from the RCRA Hotline at 1-800-424-9346. [PART D - TRANSPORTATION PRODUCTS] II.D-3 ------- Part E Park and Recreation Products Section E-l Playground Surfaces and Running Tracks Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered materials content levels shown in Table E-l, procuring agencies establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing playground surfaces and running tracks made of rubber or plastic. Table E-L Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Playground Surfaces and Running Tracks Product Playground Surfaces Running Tracks Material Rubber or Plastic Rubber or Plastic Postconsumer Recovered Materials (%) 90 - 100 90 - 100 Note: The recommended recovered materials content levels are based on the dry weight of the raw materials, exclusive of any additives such as adhesives, binders, or coloring agents. EPA's recommendation does not preclude procuring agencies from purchasing playground surfaces or running tracks manufactured from another material. It simply recommends that procuring agencies, when purchasing playground surfaces or running tracks made from rubber or plastic, purchase these items made from recovered materials. [PART E - PARK AND REC. PRODUCTS] II.E-1 ------- Section E-2 Plastic Fencing Containing Recovered Plastic for Specified Uses Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered materials content levels shown in Table E-2, procuring agencies establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing plastic fencing for use in controlling snow or sand drifting and as a warning/safety barrier in construction or other applications. Table E-2. ~ Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Fencing Containing Recovered Plastic Material Plastic Postconsumer content (%) 60-100 Total recovered materials content (%) 90-100 Note: EPA's recommendation does not preclude a procuring agency from purchasing fencing manufactured from another material, such as wood. It simply requires that a procuring agency, when purchasing plastic fencing, purchase this item made with recovered materials when this item meets applicable specifications and performance requirements. Specifications: The State of New York developed a specification for orange-colored plastic fencing used for snow barriers, warning barriers, and safety barriers, but discontinued its use because the state did not purchase enough fencing to warrant maintaining the specification. Height varied, depending on application, from four to six feet. Weight varied from 17 pounds per 100 foot section for warning barriers to 48 pounds per 100 foot section for snow fencing to 66 pounds per 100 foot section for six-foot safety barrier fencing. The New York specification also addressed mesh size, porosity, service temperature range, and strength for each application. A copy of this specification is available from the RCRA Hotline by calling 1-800-424-9346. [PART E-PARK AND REC. PRODUCTS] II.E-2 ------- Section E-3. Picnic Tables and Park Benches Containing Recovered Steel, Aluminum, or Plastic Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered materials content levels shown in Table E-3a, procuring agencies establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing aluminum, steel, or plastic park benches and picnic tables containing recovered materials. Table E-3a. ~ Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Park Benches and Picnic Tables Containing Recovered Aluminum, Steel, Concrete or Plastic Material Plastics Plastic composites Aluminum Concrete Steel Postconsumer content (%) 90-100 50 - 100 25 ~ 16 67 Total recovered materials content (%) 100 100 25 15-40 25-30 100 Notes: "Plastics" includes both single and mixed plastic resins. Picnic tables and park benches made with recovered plastics may also contain other recovered materials such as sawdust, wood, or fiberglass. The percentage of these materials contained in the product would also count toward the recovered materials content level of the item. The recommended recovered materials content levels for steel in this table reflect the fact that the designated items can be made from steel manufactured in either a Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) or an Electric Arc Furnace (EAF). Steel from the BOF process contains 25% - 30% total recovered materials, of which 16% is postconsumer steel. Steel from the EAF process contains a total of 100% recovered steel, of which 67% is postconsumer. EPA's recommendations do not preclude a procuring agency from purchasing park benches or picnic tables made from other materials. They simply require that procuring agencies, when purchasing park benches or picnic tables made from plastic, aluminum, concrete, or steel purchase these items made with recovered materials when these items meet applicable specifications and performance requirements. Specifications: EPA did not identify any specifications for park benches or picnic tables made from steel, concrete, or aluminum. EPA recommends that procuring agencies ensure that there is no language in their specifications for park benches or picnic tables that would preclude or discourage the use of products containing recovered materials. EPA recommends that procuring agencies use the ASTM specifications referenced in Table E-3b for park benches and picnic tables made from plastic lumber. [PART E - PARK AND REC. PRODUCTS] II.E-3 ------- Table E-3b. Recommended Specifications for Plastic Lumber Used In Park Benches and Picnic Tables ASTM Specification Number D 6108-97 D 6109-97 D 61 11-97 D 61 12-97 D 61 17-97 Title Standard Test Method for Compressive Properties of Plastic Lumber Standard Test Method for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastic Lumber Standard Test Method for Bulk Density and Specific Gravity of Plastic Lumber and Shapes by Displacement Standard Test Method for Compressive and Flexural Creep and Creep Rupture of Plastic Lumber and Shapes Standard Test Method for Mechanical Fasteners in Plastic Lumber and Shapes [PART E - PARK AND REC. PRODUCTS] II.E-4 ------- Section E-4. Playground Equipment Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered materials content levels shown in Table E-4a, procuring agencies establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing playground equipment made from plastic lumber, steel, or aluminum containing recovered materials. Table E-4a. ~ Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Playground Equipment Containing Recovered Plastic, Steel, or Aluminum Material Plastics Plastic Composites Steel Aluminum Postconsumer content (%) 90 - 100 50-75 16 67 25 Total recovered materials content (%) 100 95 - 100 25-30 100 25 Notes: "Plastics" includes both single and mixed plastic resins. Playground equipment made with recovered plastics may also contain other recovered materials such as wood or fiberglass. The percentage of these materials contained in the product would also count toward the recovered materials content level of the item. The recommended recovered materials content levels for steel in this table reflect the fact that the designated items can be made from steel manufactured in either a Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) or an Electric Arc Furnace (EAF). Steel from the BOF process contains 25% - 30% total recovered materials, of which 16% is postconsumer steel. Steel from the EAF process contains a total of 100% recovered steel, of which 67% is postconsumer. EPA's recommendations do not preclude a procuring agency from purchasing playground equipment made from other materials. They simply require that procuring agencies, when purchasing playground equipment made from plastic, aluminum, or steel purchase these items made with recovered materials when the item meets applicable specifications and performance requirements. Specifications: EPA recommends that procuring agencies use the specifications in Table E-4b when procuring playground equipment. Playground equipment may also be subject to state and local codes and standards as well as Federal child safety laws. EPA also recommends that procuring agencies use the ASTM specifications referenced in Table E-4c for playground equipment made from plastic lumber. Table E-4b. Recommended Safety Specifications for Playground Equipment Specification Consumer Product Safety Commission (CPSC) Publication No. 325 ASTM F-1487-95 Title Handbook for Public Playground Safety Safety Performance Specification for Playground Equipment for Public Use [PART E - PARK AND REC. PRODUCTS] II.E-5 ------- Table E-4c. Recommended Specifications for Plastic Lumber Used In Playground Equipment ASTM Specification Number D 6108-97 D 6109-97 D 61 11-97 D 61 12-97 D 61 17-97 Title Standard Test Method for Compressive Properties of Plastic Lumber Standard Test Method for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastic Lumber Standard Test Method for Bulk Density and Specific Gravity of Plastic Lumber and Shapes by Displacement Standard Test Method for Compressive and Flexural Creep and Creep Rupture of Plastic Lumber and Shapes Standard Test Method for Mechanical Fasteners in Plastic Lumber and Shapes [PART E - PARK AND REC. PRODUCTS] II.E-6 ------- Part F Landscaping Products Section F-l Hydraulic Mulch Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered materials content levels shown in Table F-l, procuring agencies establish minimum content standards for paper-based and wood-based hydraulic mulch products. Table F-L Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Hydraulic Mulch Products Hydraulic Mulch Products Paper-Based Hydraulic Mulch Wood-Based Hydraulic Mulch Recovered Materials (Materials and %) Postconsumer recovered paper 100 Recovered wood and/or paper 100 Note: The recommended recovered materials content levels are based on the dry weight of the fiber, exclusive of any dyes, wetting agents, seeds, fertilizer, or other non-cellulose additives. [PART F - LANDSCAPING PRODUCTS] II.F-1 ------- Section F-2 Compost Made from Yard Trimmings and/or Food Waste Preference Program: EPA recommends that procuring agencies purchase or use compost made from yard trimmings, leaves, grass clippings and/or food wastes in such applications as landscaping, seeding of grass or other plants on roadsides and embankments, as nutritious mulch under trees and shrubs, and in erosion control and soil reclamation. EPA further recommends that those procuring agencies that have an adequate volume of yard trimmings, leaves, grass clippings, and/or food wastes, as well as sufficient space for composting, should implement a composting system to produce compost from these materials to meet their landscaping and other needs. Specifications: EPA recommends that procuring agencies ensure that there is no language in their specifications relating to landscaping, soil amendments, erosion control, or soil reclamation that would preclude or discourage the use of compost. For instance, if specifications address the use of straw or hay in roadside revegetation projects, procuring agencies should assess whether compost could substitute for straw or hay or be used in combination with them. The U.S. Department of Transportation's "Standard Specifications for Construction of Roads and Bridges on Federal Highway Projects 1996," specifies compost as one of the materials suitable for use in roadside revegetation projects associated with road construction. These standards do not preclude the use of compost made from yard trimmings, leaves, grass, clippings, and/or food waste. The State of Maine has developed quality standards for compost products that are used by its agencies and/or purchased with state funds. The quality standards have been set for six types of compost products, ranging from topsoil (three classes), to wetland substrate, to mulch (two classes). For each of these types of compost product, standards for maturity, odor, texture, nutrients, pH, salt content, organic content, pathogen reduction, heavy metals, foreign matter, moisture content, and density have been established. EPA recommends that procuring agencies obtain and adapt this or another suitable specification for their use in purchasing compost products. The Composting Council is helping to define and develop industry wide standards for composts made from various combinations of materials, including yard trimmings, leaves, grass clippings, and food wastes. The Composting Council publishes these standards in an operating guide for composting facilities entitled, "Test Methods for Examination of Composting and Compost." The guide also provides standards for the suitability of different types of composts made for different applications, depending on the compost mix. [PART F - LANDSCAPING PRODUCTS] II.F-2 ------- Section F-3 ~ Garden and Soaker Hoses Containing Recovered Plastic or Rubber Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered materials content levels shown in Table F-3, procuring agencies establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing garden and soaker hoses. Table F-3. ~ Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Garden and Soaker Hoses Containing Recovered Plastic or Rubber Product Garden hose Soaker hose Material Rubber and/or plastic Rubber and/or plastic Postconsumer content (%) 60-65 60-70 Notes: EPA's recommendation does not preclude a procuring agency from purchasing garden and soaker hoses manufactured from another material. It simply requires that a procuring agency, when purchasing garden and soaker hoses made from plastic or rubber, purchase these items made with recovered materials when these items meet applicable specifications and performance requirements. The Green Seal specification for watering hoses includes a 50 percent postconsumer content level. However, all companies from which EPA obtained information manufacture garden and/or soaker hoses with at least 60 percent postconsumer content. Specifications: EPA recommends that procuring agencies use the following specifications when procuring garden and soaker hoses: (1) ASTM D3901 Consumer Specification for Garden Hose. The specification addresses physical and performance characteristics (pressure, tensile, and ripping strength tests) and states that the material components are to be agreed upon by the purchaser and seller. (2) Green Seal GC-2: Watering Hoses. The standard calls for the use of 50 percent postconsumer rubber material in garden hoses and 65 percent postconsumer rubber material in soaker hoses. EPA recommends that, when purchasing garden hoses, procuring agencies reference the technical requirements of this specification but set a higher content standard. [PART F - LANDSCAPING PRODUCTS] II.F-3 ------- Section F-4 ~ Lawn and Garden Edging Containing Recovered Plastic or Rubber Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered materials content levels shown in Table F-4, procuring agencies establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing lawn and garden edging. Table F-4. ~ Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Lawn and Garden Edging Containing Recovered Plastic or Rubber Material Plastic and/or rubber Postconsumer content (%) 30-100 Total recovered materials content (%) 30-100 Note: EPA's recommendation does not preclude a procuring agency from purchasing lawn and garden edging manufactured from another material, such as wood. It simply requires that a procuring agency, when purchasing lawn and garden edging made from plastic and/or rubber, purchase these items made with recovered materials when these items meet applicable specifications and performance requirements. [PART F - LANDSCAPING PRODUCTS] II.F-4 ------- Section F-5. Plastic Lumber Landscaping Timbers and Posts Containing Recovered Materials Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered materials content levels shown in Table F-5a, procuring agencies establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing plastic lumber landscaping timbers and posts containing recovered materials. Table F-5a. ~ Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Plastic Lumber Landscaping Timbers and Posts Material HDPE Mixed Plastics/Sawdust HDPE/Fiberglass Other mixed resins Postconsumer content (%) 25-100 50 75 50-100 Total recovered materials content (%) 75-100 100 95 95-100 Note: EPA's recommendations do not preclude a procuring agency from purchasing wooden landscaping timbers and posts. They simply require that procuring agencies, when purchasing plastic landscaping timbers and posts purchase these items made with recovered materials when the items meet applicable specifications and performance requirements. Specifications: EPA recommends that procuring agencies use the ASTM specifications referenced in Table F-5b for plastic lumber landscaping timbers and posts. Table F-5b. Recommended Specifications for Plastic Lumber Landscaping Timbers and Posts ASTM Specification Number D 6108-97 D 6109-97 D 61 11-97 D 61 12-97 D 61 17-97 Title Standard Test Method for Compressive Properties of Plastic Lumber Standard Test Method for Flexural Properties of Unreinforced and Reinforced Plastic Lumber Standard Test Method for Bulk Density and Specific Gravity of Plastic Lumber and Shapes by Displacement Standard Test Method for Compressive and Flexural Creep and Creep Rupture of Plastic Lumber and Shapes Standard Test Method for Mechanical Fasteners in Plastic Lumber and Shapes [PART F - LANDSCAPING PRODUCTS] II.F-5 ------- Part G Non-Paper Office Products Section G-l ~ Office Recycling Containers and Office Waste Receptacles Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered materials content levels shown in Table G-l, procuring agencies establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing office recycling containers and office waste receptacles. Table G-L Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Office Recycling Containers and Office Waste Receptacles Product Recovered Materials (materials and percent) Office Recycling Containers and Office Waste Receptacles Plastic: 20 - 100 Postconsumer Recovered Materials Paper: Refer to the Paper Products Recommendations in Part A of RMAN Steel: 16% postconsumer and 25% - 30% total recovered materials Notes: EPA's recommendations for office recycling containers and office waste receptacles containing recovered plastic, paper, or steel do not preclude a procuring agency from purchasing containers or receptacles manufactured from another material, such as wood. They simply require that procuring agencies, when purchasing office recycling containers or office waste receptacles manufactured from plastic, paper, or steel, purchase these items made with recovered materials when the items meet applicable specifications and performance requirements. The recommended recovered materials content levels for steel in this table reflect the fact that the designated items are made from steel manufactured in a Basic Oxygen Furnace (EOF). Steel from the EOF process contains 25% - 30% total recovered materials, of which 16% is postconsumer steel. [PART G - NON-PAPER OFFICE PRODUCTS] II.G-1 ------- Section G-2 ~ Plastic Desktop Accessories Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered materials content levels shown in Table G-2, procuring agencies establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing plastic desktop accessories. If items are not available within the recommended range, procuring agencies should seek the items with the highest percentage of recovered materials practicable. Table G-2. ~ Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Plastic Desktop Accessories Product Plastic Desktop Accessories Postconsumer Recovered Materials (Material and %) Polystyrene 25-80 Note: EPA's recommendation does not preclude procuring agencies from purchasing a desktop accessory manufactured from another material, such as paper, wood, or steel. It simply recommends that, when purchasing plastic desktop accessories, procuring agencies purchase these items made from recovered materials. [PART G - NON-PAPER OFFICE PRODUCTS] II.G-2 ------- Section G-3 ~ Toner Cartridges Preference Program: EPA recommends that procuring agencies establish procedures and policies that give priority to remanufacturing the agencies' expended toner cartridges. EPA recommends that, under such policies and procedures, procuring agencies procure remanufacturing services for expended cartridges and, when such services are unavailable or not practicable, obtain remanufactured toner cartridges or new toner cartridges made with recovered materials from product vendors. [PART G - NON-PAPER OFFICE PRODUCTS] II.G-3 ------- Section G-4 ~ Binders Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered materials content levels shown in Table G-3, procuring agencies establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing binders. Table G-3. ~ Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Binders Product Plastic-Covered Binders (Plastic Covering) Chipboard, Paperboard, or Pressboard Binders or Binder Components Recovered Materials (Materials and %) Plastic 25-50 Paper Refer to Paper Products Recommendations AofRMAN in Part Note: The chipboard, paperboard, or pressboard binders or components of plastic-covered binders or binders covered with another material, such as cloth, are covered under the recommendation for paper and paper products (see Part A of the RMAN). EPA's recommendations do not preclude procuring agencies from purchasing binders covered with or manufactured using another material, such as cloth. It simply recommends that procuring agencies, when purchasing binder types designated in the procurement guidelines, purchase these binders containing recovered materials. Specifications: GSA's specification for binders, A-A-2549A, covers four types of binders, including cloth bound, flexible cover; cloth bound, stiff cover; plastic bound, flexible cover; and plastic bound, stiff cover. In the specification, GSA requires its binders to contain "a minimum of 100% waste paper, including a minimum of 30% postconsumer recovered materials." [PART G - NON-PAPER OFFICE PRODUCTS] II.G-4 ------- Section G-5 - Plastic Trash Bags Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the content levels shown in Table G-4, procuring agencies establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing plastic trash bags. Table G-4 .-- Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Plastic Trash Bags Product Plastic Trash Bags Postconsumer Recovered Materials (Material and %) Plastic 10 - 100 Note: EPA's recommendation does not preclude procuring agencies from purchasing a trash bag manufactured using another material, such as paper. It merely recommends that procuring agencies, when purchasing plastic trash bags, purchase these items made from recovered materials. [PART G - NON-PAPER OFFICE PRODUCTS] II.G-5 ------- Section G-6 ~ Printer Ribbons Preference Program: Minimum content standards are not appropriate for remanufactured items, such as printer ribbons, because a core part of the item is reused in the new product, even though certain components of a printer ribbon may contain recovered materials. In lieu of content standards, EPA recommends that procuring agencies adopt one or both of the following approaches: (1) procure printer ribbon reinking or reloading services or (2) procure reinked or reloaded printer ribbons. EPA further recommends that procuring agencies establish policies that give priority to reinking or reloading their expended printer ribbons. If reinking and reloading services are unavailable, procuring agencies should attempt to purchase reinked or reloaded printer ribbons. GS A offers remanufactured printer ribbons on the New Item Introductory Schedule (NIIS). Specifications: The State of Alabama has a specification for reinked ribbons which requires the ribbons to be vacuum cleaned, reinked, and rewound to proper tension. A copy of this specification is available from the RCRA Hotline at 1-800-424-9346. [PART G - NON-PAPER OFFICE PRODUCTS] II.G-6 ------- Section G-7 ~ Plastic Envelopes Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered materials content levels shown in Table G-7, procuring agencies establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing plastic envelopes. Table G-7. Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Plastic Envelopes Material Plastic Postconsumer content (%) 25 Total recovered materials content (%) 25-35 Note: EPA's recommendation does not preclude a procuring agency from purchasing envelopes manufactured from another material, such as paper. It simply requires that a procuring agency, when purchasing envelopes made from plastic, purchase these items made with recovered materials when these items meet applicable specifications and performance requirements. Procuring agencies should note, however, that paper envelopes fall within the scope of EPA's previous designation of paper and paper products. EPA issued postconsumer and recovered materials content recommendations for paper products, including envelopes, in the Paper Products RMAN, which was issued in the FEDERAL REGISTER on May 29,1996 at 61 FR 26985. A copy of the Paper Products RMAN is available from the RCRA Hotline at 1-800-424-9346 and electronically via EPA's Public Access Server at http://www.epa.gov/fedrgstr/search.htm. Specifications: (1) GSA, the Government Printing Office (GPO), and the U.S. Postal Service (USPS) all currently purchase plastic envelopes made from Tyvekฎ containing recovered HDPE. GSA specifies "DuPont Tyvekฎ or equal." USPS requires "DuPont Tyvekฎ." GPO requires "white spunbonded polyethylene with the characteristics of DuPont's product no. 1073;" the title of the solicitation, however, states "Tyvekฎ envelopes or similar." (2) The Navy requests that plastic envelopes not be sent to ships in order to minimize onboard disposal of plastic. [PART G - NON-PAPER OFFICE PRODUCTS] II.G-7 ------- Section G-8. Solid Plastic Binders, Plastic Clipboards, Plastic File Folders, Plastic Clip Portfolios, and Plastic Presentation Folders Containing Recovered Plastic Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered materials content levels shown in Table G-8, procuring agencies establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing solid plastic binders, plastic clipboards, plastic file folders, plastic clip portfolios, and plastic presentation folders containing recovered materials. Table G-8. ~ Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Solid Plastic Binders, Clipboards, File Folders, Clip Portfolios, and Presentation Folders Product Solid plastic binders Plastic clipboards Plastic file folders Plastic clip portfolios Plastic presentation folders Material HDPE PE PET Misc. Plastics HDPE PS Misc. Plastics HDPE HDPE HDPE Postconsumer content (%) 90 30-50 100 80 90 50 15 90 90 90 Total recovered materials content (%) 90 30-50 100 80 90 50 15-80 90 90 90 Note: EPA's recommendations do not preclude a procuring agency from purchasing binders, clipboards, file folders, clip portfolios, or presentation folders made from another material, such as paper. They simply require that procuring agencies, when purchasing these items made from solid plastic, purchase them made with recovered plastics when these items meet applicable specifications and performance requirements. For EPA's recommendations for purchasing pressboard binders and paper file folders containing recovered materials, see table A-lc in the Paper Products RMAN (61 FR 26986, May 29, 1996). See Table G-3 in RMAN I for EPA's recommendations for purchasing plastic-covered binders containing recovered materials. Specifications: EPA did not identify any specifications for solid plastic binders, clipboards, file folders, clip portfolios, and presentation folders. EPA recommends that procuring agencies ensure that there is no language in their specifications for these items that would preclude or discourage the use of products containing recovered materials. [PART G - NON-PAPER OFFICE PRODUCTS] II.G-8 ------- Part H - Miscellaneous Products Part H-l ~ Pallets Containing Recovered Wood, Plastic, or Paperboard Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered materials content levels shown in Table H-l, procuring agencies establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing pallets. Table H-l. ~ Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Pallets Containing Recovered Wood, Plastic, or Paperboard Product Wooden pallets Plastic pallets Plastic lumber Thermoformed Paperboard pallets Material Wood Plastic Plastic Paperboard Postconsumer content (%) 95-100 100 25-50 50 Note: EPA's recommendation does not preclude a procuring agency from purchasing pallets manufactured from another material. It simply requires that a procuring agency, when purchasing pallets made from wood, plastic, or paperboard, purchase these items made with recovered materials when these items meet applicable specifications and performance requirements. Specifications: EPA recommends that procuring agencies use the following specifications when procuring pallets: (1) The Grocery Manufacturers of America issued a widely used standard for 48 by 40-inch stringer pallets known as the "GMA spec." A copy of this specification is available from the RCRA Hotline at 1-800-424- 9346. (2) The National Wooden Pallet and Container Association is developing a standard through the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) for repairable 48 by 40-inch lumber-deck pallets. Contact NWPCA at (703) 527-7667 for current information about the availability of this standard. (3) U.S. Postal Service specification USPS-P-1108, "Pallet, Nestable, Plastic, Thermoformed (Item No. 3919B)" is for thermoformed HDPE pallets. A copy of the current version, USPS-P-1108E, is available from the RCRA Hotline at 1-800-424-9346. [PART H - MISCELLANEOUS PRODUCTS] II.H-1 ------- Section H-2. Sorbents Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered materials content levels shown in Table H-2a, procuring agencies establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing sorbent materials for use in oil and solvent clean-ups and for use as animal bedding. Table H-2a. ~ Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Sorbents Used in Oil and Solvents Clean-ups and for Use as Animal Bedding Material Paper Textiles Plastics Wood Other Organics/Multi-Materials Postconsumer Content (%) 90 - 100 95 - 100 ~ ~ ~ Total Recovered Materials Content (%) 100 95 - 100 25 - 100 100 100 Notes: "Wood" includes materials such as sawdust and lumber mill trimmings. Examples of "other organics" include, but are not limited to, peanut hulls and corn stover. An example of "multi-material" sorbents would include, but not be limited to, a polymer and cellulose fiber combination. EPA's recommendations do not preclude a procuring agency from purchasing sorbents made from other materials. They simply require that procuring agencies, when purchasing sorbents made from paper, wood, textiles, plastics, or other organic materials, purchase them made with recovered materials when these items meet applicable specifications and performance requirements. Specifications: EPA recommends that procuring agencies ensure that there is no language in their specifications for sorbents that would preclude or discourage the use of products containing recovered materials. EPA recommends that procuring agencies use the ASTM specifications in Table H-2b when procuring sorbents for use on oil and solvent clean-ups. Table H-2b. ~ ASTM Specifications for Absorbents and Adsorbents ASTM Specification Number F 716-81 F 716-82 Title Standard Method of Testing Sorbent Performance of Adsorbents Standard Method of Testing Sorbent Performance of Absorbents [PART H - MISCELLANEOUS PRODUCTS] II.H-2 ------- Section H-3. Industrial Drums Containing Recovered Steel, Plastic, and Paper Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered materials content levels shown in Table H-3, procuring agencies establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing steel, plastic, or fiber industrial drums containing recovered materials. EPA further recommends that procuring agencies reuse drums, purchase or use reconditioned drums, or procure drum reconditioning services, whenever feasible. Table H-3. ~ Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Steel, Plastic, and Fiber Industrial Drums Product Steel drums Plastic drums Fiber drums Material Steel HDPE Paper Postconsumer content (%) 16 30-100 100 Total recovered materials content (%) 25-30 30-100 100 Note: EPA's recommendation does not preclude a procuring agency from purchasing another type of industrial drum. It simply requires that procuring agencies, when purchasing steel, plastic, or fiber industrial drums, purchase these items made with recovered materials when these items meet applicable specifications and performance requirements. The recommended recovered materials content levels for steel in this table reflect the fact that the designated items are made from steel manufactured in a Basic Oxygen Furnace (EOF). Steel from the EOF process contains 25% - 30% total recovered materials, of which 16% is postconsumer steel. Specifications: EPA is not aware of specifications unique to industrial drums containing recovered materials. EPA notes that industrial drums containing recovered materials can meet applicable U.S. Department of Transportation specifications for packaging hazardous materials. Additionally, the National Motor Freight Traffic Association specifications for containers used to transport goods via truck do not prohibit the use of industrial drums containing recovered materials. [PART H - MISCELLANEOUS PRODUCTS] II.H-3 ------- Section H-4. Awards and Plaques Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered materials content levels shown in Table H-4, procuring agencies establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing awards and plaques containing recovered materials. Table H-4. ~ Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Awards and Plaques Containing Recovered Materials Material Glass Wood Paper Plastic and Plastic/Wood Composite Postconsumer Content (%) 75 - 100 ~ 40 - 100 50 - 100 Total Recovered Materials Content (%) 100 100 40 - 100 95 - 100 Note: EPA's recommendations do not preclude a procuring agency from purchasing awards or plaques made from other materials. They simply require that procuring agencies, when purchasing awards or plaques made from paper, wood, glass, or plastics/plastic composites, purchase them made with recovered materials when these items meet applicable specifications and performance requirements. Specifications: EPA is not aware of specifications or standards for awards or plaques containing recovered materials. EPA recommends that procuring agencies ensure that there is no language in their specifications for awards and plaques that would preclude or discourage the use of products containing recovered materials. [PART H - MISCELLANEOUS PRODUCTS] II.H-4 ------- Section H-5. Mats Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered materials content levels shown in Table H-5, procuring agencies establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing mats containing recovered materials. Table H-5. ~ Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Mats Material Rubber Plastic Rubber/Plastic Composite Postconsumer Content (%) 75 - 100 10 - 100 100 Total Recovered Materials Content (%) 85 - 100 100 100 Note: EPA's recommendations do not preclude a procuring agency from purchasing mats made from other materials. They simply require that procuring agencies, when purchasing mats made from rubber and/or plastic, purchase them made with recovered materials when these items meet applicable specifications and performance requirements. When purchasing mats with steel or aluminum linkages, the Agency recommends that these linkages also contain recovered materials. Specifications: EPA is not aware of specifications or standards for mats containing recovered materials. EPA recommends that procuring agencies ensure that there is no language in their specifications for mats that would preclude or discourage the use of products containing recovered materials. EPA is aware of one ASTM specification for wrestling mats, but does not believe that this type of mat is purchased in appreciable quantities by procuring agencies. [PART H - MISCELLANEOUS PRODUCTS] II.H-5 ------- Section H-6. Manual-Grade Strapping Containing Recovered Steel and Plastic Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered materials content levels shown in Table H-6a, procuring agencies establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing manual-grade strapping containing recovered materials. Table H-6a. ~ Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Manual-Grade Polyester, Polypropylene, and Steel Strapping Product Polyester strapping Polypropylene strapping Steel strapping Material PET PP Steel Postconsumer content (%) 50-85 ~ 16 67 Total recovered materials content (%) 50-85 10-40 25-30 100 Notes: EPA's recommendations do not preclude a procuring agency from purchasing another type of strapping, such as nylon. They simply require that procuring agencies, when purchasing polyester, polypropylene, or steel manual-grade strapping, purchase these items made with recovered materials when these items meet applicable specifications and performance requirements. The recommended recovered materials content levels for steel in this table reflect the fact that the designated items can be made from steel manufactured in either a Basic Oxygen Furnace (BOF) or an Electric Arc Furnace (EAF). Steel from the BOF process contains 25% - 30% total recovered materials, of which 16% ispostconsumer steel. Steel from the EAF process contains a total of 100% recovered steel, of which 67% is postconsumer. Specifications: EPA is not aware of specifications unique to strapping containing recovered materials. EPA notes that strapping containing recovered materials can meet the ASTM strapping specifications and selection guide listed in Table H-6b. Table H-6b. - Recommended ASTM Specifications and Guide for Strapping ASTM Specification/Guide Number ASTM D 3953 ASTM D 3950 ASTM D 4675 Title Standard Specification for Strapping, Flat Steel and Seals Standard Specification for Strapping, Nonmetallic (and Joining Methods) Standard Guide for Selection and Use of Flat Strapping Materials [PART H - MISCELLANEOUS PRODUCTS] II.H-6 ------- Section H-7. Signage Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered materials content levels shown in Table H-7, procuring agencies establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing plastic signs for non-road applications (e.g., building signs, trail signs) and aluminum signs for roadway or non-road applications containing recovered materials. EPA also recommends that, based on the recovered materials content levels shown in Table H-7, procuring agencies establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing sign supports and posts containing recovered plastic or steel. Table H-7. ~ Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Signs Containing Recovered Plastic or Aluminum and Sign Posts/Supports Containing Recovered Plastic or Steel Item/Material Plastic signs Aluminum signs Plastic sign posts/supports Steel sign posts/supports Postconsumer Content (%) 80 - 100 25 80 - 100 16 67 Total Recovered Materials Content (%) 80 - 100 25 80 - 100 25-30 100 Notes: Plastic signs and signposts are recommended for nonroad applications only such as, but not limited to, railway signs in parks and directional/informational signs in buildings. The recommended recovered materials content levels for steel in this table reflect the fact that the designated items can be made from steel manufactured in either a Basic Oxygen Furnace (EOF) or an Electric Arc Furnace (EAF). Steel from the EOF process contains 25% - 30% total recovered materials, ofwhich 16%ispostconsumer steel. Steel from the EAF process contains a total of 100% recovered steel, ofwhich 67% is postconsumer. EPA's recommendations do not preclude a procuring agency from purchasing signs or sign posts made from other materials. They simply require that procuring agencies, when purchasing signs made from plastic or aluminum or sign posts made from plastic or steel, purchase them made with recovered materials when these items meet applicable specifications and performance requirements. Specifications: EPA is not aware of specifications for non-road signs containing recovered materials. Standard specifications for road sign size, lettering, color, strength, and performance requirements can be found in the "Manual on Uniform Traffic Control Devices," which is published by the Federal Highway Administration. Applicable portions of this manual have been placed in the RCRA public docket for the proposed CPG/RMAN III notices. [PART H - MISCELLANEOUS PRODUCTS] II.H-7 ------- |