Adhesives and Sealants
Green purchasing guidance for adhesives and sealants, including:
- Construction
- Carpets
- Flooring
- Auto glass
Required specifications
Purchasers must include these specifications, unless not possible:
Preferred specifications
Purchasers should include these specifications, unless not possible:
- Adhesive products are eligible for a price preference if they don't contain hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) or contain HFCs with a relatively low global warming potential (i.e., they are listed as an Acceptable Substitute by the U.S. EPA’s Significant New Alternatives Policy.)
More preferred specifications for construction and flooring adhesives:
- Cradle to Cradle Product Certificate or Material Health Certificate: v3.1 at the gold level or higher, or v4.0 at the Silver level or higher
- Green Seal
- UL ECOLOGO
- Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Green Label Plus
- Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) FloorScore
- UL GREENGUARD Gold (low emitting only)
- On the SCAQMD “super-compliant” list
Things to avoid
Purchasers should avoid these specifications whenever possible:
- Chemicals on the CA Proposition 65 List known to cause cancer.
- Adhesive products in aerosol cans. They increase exposure to toxic chemicals and are relatively expensive.
Laws, rules, and executive orders
These laws, rules, and executive orders must be included in the contract language:
- EO 20-01 State Efficiency and Environmental Performance (SEEP)
- RCW 39.26.310: Purchasing and Procurement Policies—Products Containing Hydrofluorocarbons
- Purchasing Preference for Products that Do Not Contain Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) (DES- 310-00)
Find these products on statewide contracts
Find products that meet Washington’s green purchasing specifications:
- Contract 01820: Flooring and installation services
- Contract 06815: Raised pavement markers
- Contract 07121 Roadway maintenance products
End of life
Surplus goods that still can be used
- Use surplus disposal to get rid of items you no longer need. Keep materials out of landfills and make funds for your agency.
Recycling and disposal
Hazardous waste disposal guidelines and options:
- Department of Ecology: Dispose, recycle, or treat dangerous waste
- Washington Recycles
Contact us
Leatta Dahlhoff
Environmental Technical Analyst
Phone 360-407-8108