TNJ Sustainability & Resilience Toolkit: Sustainability Solutions
Green Purchasing
Green purchasing emphasizes the consumption of goods and services that minimize adverse effects on human health and the environment. Counties and municipalities should revise their purchasing processes to incorporate environmental and human health criteria to improve energy and water efficiency, reduce waste and pollution and limit exposure to potentially harmful materials. Formalizing a green public purchasing policy allows counties and municipalities to lead by example and demonstrate the economic and environmental benefits so that residents and businesses will follow suit. Purchasing green products can also result in cost savings. There are many factors to consider when selecting products, but available guidance materials and certification programs provide clarification.
Related TNJ Plan Focus Areas
Implementation Strategies
Enact a green purchasing policy
Enact a green purchasing policy
Adopt an ordinance or resolution requiring the municipality to consider environmental impacts when purchasing products and services.
Establish criteria for purchasing process
Establish criteria for purchasing process
Review bidding process guidelines and existing specification to remove barriers and incorporate environmental criteria.
Raise public awareness
Raise public awareness
Lead by example and “mainstream” green products by promoting the municipal green purchasing program to the public.