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What is Environmentally Preferable Purchasing?

Environmentally preferable purchasing (EPP), also known as green or responsible purchasing, is the procurement of goods and services that cause less harm to humans and the environment than competing goods and services that serve the same purpose.

This comparison may consider raw materials acquisition, production, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, reuse, operation, maintenance or disposal of the product or service.

Benefits

With each purchasing decision, state agencies, local jurisdictions, colleges and universities, and nonprofit organizations can take action to improve the quality of life in Washington. By choosing responsibly, we can make a difference on issues like climate change, toxics in the environment and solid waste.

Each year, state and local governments in Washington have the opportunity to leverage $4 billion in purchasing power to buy and use products and services that:

• Protect human health
• Boost energy and water efficiency
• Reduce or eliminate toxic chemicals
• Create less waste
• Support markets for green products and green jobs
• Save money through increased product life, fewer health and safety claims, and lower maintenance and disposal costs

Look for environmentally preferable qualities, or attributes, in the products you purchase.

Why should my organization make Environmentally Preferable Purchases?

Read about the myriad laws, directives and executive orders that promote and require EPP

How can my organization make environmentally preferable purchases?

Read product fact sheets that explain how to buy EPP products and services from state contracts and from other sources.

Join the Washington State Purchasing Cooperative to buy directly from state contracts.

Learn about standards and certifications that your organization can use to specify environmentally preferable products and services.