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:

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:

Find these products on statewide contracts

Find products that meet Washington’s green purchasing specifications:

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: