Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) Home

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What is Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP)?

“Environmentally Preferable Products and Services means products and services that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with competing products that serve the same purpose. This comparison may consider raw materials acquisition, production, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, reuse, operation, maintenance, or disposal of the product.”

(from Executive Order 13101, September 14, 1998, Greening the Government through Waste Prevention, Recycling and Federal Acquisition)

A History of Environmental Leadership

The City of San José has been recognized for leadership in implementing environmental programs and procedures. City environmental services, such as wastewater treatment, recycled water delivery, recycling and garbage collection, and energy and water conservation, have received awards for innovation and excellence. City employees incorporate positive environmental practices through the Recycle@Work program, the reuse of surplus equipment, and the purchase of recycled content products, especially paper.

In 1990, the City Council adopted a Council Policy on “Source Reduction and Recycling Procurement” that was innovative at the time and comprehensive in the way it addresses the use of recycled paper. More recently, in September 2001, the City Council adopted a policy that addresses Environmentally Preferable Purchasing. Read the April 9, 2008 press release (PDF format, 24 KB).

The City of San Jose received a Green California Leadership Award for its Environmentally Preferable Procurement Program in a ceremony at the 2008 Green California Summit and Exposition in Sacramento.

Policy Objectives

The primary purpose of the EPP policy (PDF format, 32 KB) is to minimize negative environmental impacts by ensuring that the City uses services and products that

reduce toxicity
conserve natural resources, materials, and energy
maximize recyclability and recycled content

By considering environmental impacts in public purchasing, the City of San José can reduce its burden on the local and global environment, remove unnecessary hazards from its operations, protect public health, reduce costs and liabilities, and potentially improve the environmental quality of the region.

Additionally, EPP supports the market for recycled goods and other environmentally preferable products and services.

Related City Policies

The City of San José has a Pollution Prevention Policy to protect water and air quality by minimizing the release of pollutants and the generation of hazardous wastes through the reduced use, recycling and proper disposal of materials used in City operations. Whenever feasible, the City will seek in its procurement processes to eliminate the unecessary use of hazardous substances and toxic chemicals with environmentally friendly alternatives.

The City of San José’s Green Building Policy establishes sustainability as a City priority, and encourages local building owners, architects, developers, and contractors to utilize sustainable practices, such as using materials and resources that are reused, recycled, recyclable, non-toxic, locally produced and renewable, through its Green Building Program.