Healthy Purchasing Workshop

Stacey Foreman, City of PortlandShawn Postera, Multnomah County

Tracy Sagal, Metro

NIGP Columbia Chapter | March 18, 2016

The Healthy Purchasing Coalition is a group of about a dozen cities, counties, ports, and higher education institutions.

1. Healthy Purchasing & Sustainable Procurement

2. What & Why? Chemicals & Our Health3. How & Where to Start4. Healthy Purchasing Resources5. Healthy Purchasing Examples6. Activities

Overview

How does the topic of chemicals and health fit in the framework of sustainable procurement?

Context: Sustainable Procurement

Photo credit: Ecovative (Myco Foam)

Photo credit: Ecovative (Myco Foam)

Context: Sustainable Procurement

Status Quo:

Sustainable Procurement is:• Zero Waste• Equity• Energy Efficient• Renewable Energy• Green Chemistry• Local Living Economies• Closed-Loop Production• Best Value• Etc.

Credit: Story of Stuff

Credit: Story of Stuff

GOAL:

Why?

Why are focusing on chemicals, health, and risk?

How does this fit with our mission?

What are the benefits of safer products?

Photo: DuPont Factory, WV; Bryan Schutmaat, The New York Times

Chemicals and Our Health

Where do we find chemicals in products?

Chemicals and Our Health

• Some chemicals are toxic.• Toxic chemicals are present in products we

use.• We are exposed to toxic chemicals:

• through products. • through environmental pollution, which

can happen during any phase of a product lifecycle.

How are chemicals toxic to people?

Some chemicals are toxic

Why are they allowed to be used in products?

Toxic chemicals are present in products

You

How are we exposed?

How are we exposed?

Photo Credits: Story of Stuff

Why Should We Demand Safer Products?

• Risk management and mitigation• Better overall value• Employee productivity and retention• Public health protection• Long term cost savings

Benefits of Safer Products

• HUGE, consolidated market power Drive market change for everyone’s

benefit Drive innovation

• Responsible use of public funds

Why Sustainable Public Procurement?

Procurement professionals play a key role in protecting people by helping identify and purchase safer goods and services.

Photo credit: Ecovative (Myco Board)

Priorities: Target Goods & ServicesResources: Useful linksExamples: From the Coalition

How & Where to Start

Key Chemicals of Concern• Chemicals on known “red lists”• Asmthagens• Skin sensitizers• VOCs

Target: Cleaning Products & Services

Greener Options - Resources• Life-cycle based third-party

certified cleaning products Green Seal, ULE/EcoLogo,

SaferChoice

• Chemical use reduction Microfiber cloths

Target: Cleaning Products & Services

Key Chemicals of Concern• Flame Retardants• Heavy Metals• PVC/Plastics• Ozone/Particulate Matter

Target: Office Electronics

Greener Options - Resources• EPEAT certification• RoHS-compliant• E-Stewards or R2 recyclers

Target: Office Electronics

Key Chemicals of Concern• PFCs• Flame Retardants• Antimicrobials• VOCs• Plastics• Azo dyes and other production

chemicals

Target: Textiles

Greener Options - Resources• Request no surface treatments• CEH Guide: Flame Retardant Free• BuildingGreen.com resources• Product Disclosure Tools:

HPDs, Declare Label

• Third-Party Certifications Textiles: GOTS, C2C, Oeko-Tex 100 Carpet, Furniture, IAQ

Target: Textiles

Key Chemicals of Concern• VOCs• Organic solvents• Chemicals on known “red lists”

Target: Paints, Adhesives

Greener Options - Resources• Third-party certifications

Green Seal, MPI X-Green

• IAQ certifications to CDPH standard

• BuildingGreen.com resources• Product Disclosure Tools:

HPDs, Declare Label

Target: Paints, Adhesives

Key Chemicals of Concern• Phthalates• BPA/BPS• Heavy Metals• PVC, Styrene• Flame Retardants• VOCs

Target: Plastics

Photo: © Thinkstockphoto/raeva

Greener Options - Resources• Green Building Product Tools

OEC Guide BuildingGreen.com

• Product Disclosure Tools: HPDs, Declare Label

• Plastics Scorecard PLA, PET, PP – more benign

Target: Plastics

Photo: © Thinkstockphoto/raeva

BREAK TIME!

What resources are available to help me?

Resources

Resources

• Your colleagues • Healthy Purchasing Coalition via OEC• Membership organizations/resources:

SPLC, RPN, BuildingGreen.com, EPPnet• Health Product Declaration Form (HPDs),

Declare Label • www.chemhat.org – “red list” lookup• Living Building Challenge red list• Third-Party Standards & Certifications

Do your research first

Healthy purchasing examples from your colleagues.

Examples

Example: Cleaning Products

Scope: City of Portland initiative to build consistency in the use of green cleaning products and practices among all Bureaus- Work with PHC- Work with supplies contractor (Coastwide)- Auto-Subs with Office Depot agreement- Work with office green teams

Examples

Results so far:- Use of 3rd party certified cleaners; use of

microfiber mops/cloths- Reduce use of disinfectant wipes- Use of less-toxic disinfectant- “Daylighting” the janitor closets- Reducing number of chemicals- Increasing accountability and transparency- Some cost savings

Example: Cleaning Products

Example: Office Electronics

Scope: Desktops, laptops, tablets, monitors, MFDs, copiers, and printers meet EPEAT at silver or gold level

Example: Office Electronics

FY2010-14: Approx. 260 kg reduction in toxic materials

Examples MultCo BridgeShop

Broadway Sreet: Williamete River Broadway Bridge Paint Project

• Evaluate alternative lead paint removal and surface preparation techniques

• Investigate two lead stabilizers and sequestration materials to reduce the amount of hazardous waster generated during removal

• Compare alternative surface preparation methods versus traditional practices based on sustainability values

• Discuss alternative surface preparation methods in respect to worker safety, environmental protection, waster generation, recyclability, product sourcing,

and ease of use for the repainting

• Research and compare other paint systems approved by other agencies

Example: Furniture

Identify the projectMeet with project manager-Timeline-Project needs-Identify potential impacts and alternatives-Plan for implementation

Example: Furniture

Project: Metro space reorganization planProject Manager: Facilities manager-Timeline: 2 years-Project needs:

-desk stations-flexible meeting spaces-flooring

Example: Furniture

-Potential Impacts and Alternatives: -Materials-flame retardants-surface treatments-potential certifications and specifications

-Plan for Implementation: -schedule for solicitation-parties to involve

Let’s put what we have learned to work!

Activities

Activity #1: Moderated Discussion

An end-user department comes to you with a need to purchase resilient flooring. • What do you do to work with the

end-user on integrating healthy purchasing principles into the procurement?

Activity #2: Small Group Work

Task Chair Procurement

Thank You!

Stacey Foreman, City of Portlandstacey.foreman@portlandoregon.gov

Shawn Postera, Multnomah Countyshawn.postera@multco.us

Colin Price, Oregon Environmental Councilcolinp@oeconline.org

Tracy Sagal, Metrotracy.sagal@oregonmetro.gov