US EPA’s P2 Programs: EPP, PBT‘s & H2E

US EPA’s P2 Programs: EPP, PBT‘s & H2E

GLRPPR Summer Meeting

Toronto, Ontario

August 26-28, 2002

EPP: Why Green Purchasing?

EPP: Why Green Purchasing?

Environmentally Preferable Products are…

“products and services [that] have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared to other products 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.

—Executive Order 13101, Greening the Government Through Waste Prevention, Recycling, and Federal Acquisition, September 16, 1998.

The Federal EPP Program

Environmentally

preferable purchasing

incorporates key

environmental factors

with traditional

availability, price and

performance

considerations in

purchasing decisions.

Federal EPP Pilot ProjectsFederal EPP Pilot Projects

• Construction-related– Building materials, lumber, paints, parking lots

• Office products– Copier paper, printing paper, business cards, copiers

• Services– Conferencing, printing

• Solvents– Cleaning products, degreasers

• Miscellaneous– Cafeteria serviceware,

electronics, uniforms, hospital products

Providing ToolsProviding Tools

EPP Database Identify and compare environmental attributes for key products and services from various information sources, both domestic and foreign

“Promising Practices”20 case studies incorporating environmental factors into product and service contracts

Links directly to contract language, worksheets, evaluation criteria, etc

• Drafted FR notice to recognize 5 standards developed through an open, transparent and participatory process & consider life cycle impacts:– Green Seal

• General purpose bathroom/glass cleaners

• Commercial adhesives• Cleaning/degreasing agents

– ASTM• Data collection for sustainable

building products• Stewardship for cleaning commercial/

institutional buildings

Supporting the Development of Voluntary StandardsSupporting the Development of Voluntary Standards

Focusing on Specific Products and ServicesFocusing on Specific Products and Services

• Conferences/meetings, Copiers, Cafeteria serviceware, Carpets, Electronics, Cleaners, andBuilding materials/operations

• Developing “one-stop shops” for specific green purchasing information

• Initiating stakeholder review process

Product Focus: Biobased ProductsProduct Focus: Biobased Products

• Executive Order 13134 Biobased Products & Bioenergy; 2002 Farm Bill

• Strengthening biobased component of NIST’s BEES lifecycle decision support software

• Designate biobased products and content levels.

• Provide information on availability, price, performance, and environmental and public health benefits.

• Develop labeling program for certified biobased products.

Service Focus: Green MeetingsService Focus: Green Meetings

• Created “one-stop shop” website for government employees interested in green meetings www.epa.gov/oppt/greenmeetings

• “Greened” OPPTS meeting planning contract

• Funded industry-based initiative, co-developed web tool

• Leveraging through partnerships

– GSA/EPA/SGMP Meet Green Initiative

– CERES Green Hotel Initiative - Best Practices Survey

– DC Green Hotel Initiative

Questions?

Visit www.epa.gov/oppt/eppCall 202/564-8834 Julie Shannon

Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxics

U.S. Environmental Protection Agency

Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E)Hospitals for a Healthy Environment (H2E)

• Hospitals generate 2 million tons of solid waste annually

• Medical waste incinerators 4th largest known source of mercury emissions to the environment

• Healthcare facilities are willing pollution prevention partners

Why is EPA working with Hospitals?Why is EPA working with Hospitals?

Medical Uses of MercuryMedical Uses of Mercury

• Thermometers• Sphygmomanometers

• Esophogeal dilators

• Cantor tubes

• Feeding tubes

• Lab chemicals

• Medical batteries• Pharmaceutical

preservatives

• Cleaning solutions

• Fluorescent lights

• Thermostats

• Pressure gauges

• Electric switches

H2E ProgramH2E Program

• EPA/American Hospital Association asking all hospitals to pledge to:– Virtually eliminate mercury waste by year

2005

– Reduce total waste volume by 33% by year 2005; by 50% by 2010

– Identify hazardous substances in hospitals for P2 and waste reduction opportunities

• We need full involvement to ensure success

H2E: 312 partners representing 950 facilities and growing!

H2E: 312 partners representing 950 facilities and growing!

• Children’s National Medical Center

• George Washington Medical Center

• Sibley Memorial Hospital

• Washington Hospital Center

• DC General Hospital

• Greater Southeast Community Hospital

• Howard University Hospital

• Veteran’s Affairs Medical Center

Thirty plus Healthcare organizations champion H2E and this number is growing!

Thirty plus Healthcare organizations champion H2E and this number is growing!

• Aramark Service Master Facility Services

• Catholic Health East

• Catholic Healthcare West

• Consorta Inc.

• Sustainable Hospitals Project

• Kaiser Permanente

• District of Columbia Hospital Association

• DC Department of Health

• Environmental Medical products, LLC

• Baxter

THE PERSISTENT, BIOACCUMULATIVE AND TOXICS (PBT)

PROGRAM

THE PERSISTENT, BIOACCUMULATIVE AND TOXICS (PBT)

PROGRAM

AN AGENCY-WIDE MULTIMEDIA PROGRAM

Our concern is PBTs Our concern is PBTs

Alkyl-Lead

Benzo(a)Pyrene

DIOXINS/FURANS

Hexachlorobenzene

MERCURY AND COMPOUNDS

Octachlorostyrene

PCBs

PESTICIDES

Aldrin/Dieldrin, Chlordane

Mirex,DDT(+DDD+DDE),Toxaphene

PBTs -- A Global PriorityPBTs -- A Global Priority

• "Pollutants that are persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic have been linked to numerous adverse effects in humans and animals. The United States has taken extensive action over the years to address these pollutants. But such pollutants not only remain in the environment for years and even decades, they also travel far beyond their initial points of release, posing threats across national and geographic boundaries. Only by addressing the threat of these pollutants on a global scale can we help to meet our goal of leaving America's air cleaner, our water purer, and our land better protected.” -Christine Todd Whitman

M2P2M2P2

GlobalGlobal

CWACWACAACAA

R&DR&DRCRARCRA

TSCATSCA

EnforcementEnforcementFIFRAFIFRA

GLNPOGLNPO

Other Federal AgenciesOther Federal Agencies

UNEPUNEP

CECCEC

TRIBALTRIBAL

NATIONSNATIONS

ECOS/STATESECOS/STATES

EPA REGIONSEPA REGIONS

ACADEMIAACADEMIA

PBT Program Management StructurePBT Program Management Structure