• Drywall
• Fiberboard
• Gypsum panels
• Wallboard

Required specifications

Purchasers must include these specifications, unless not possible:

• RCW 43.19A: Recycled Product Procurement set a goal of substantially increasing the state’s purchases of recycled-content products, directs the state to set recycled-content standards, and authorizes state agencies to specify, give priority to and/or offer price preferences for products that contain recycled materials.
  
  Moreover, DES’ Recycled Content Purchasing Preference Policy (DES-255-00) states, “In establishing environmental requirements and preferences for products that contain recycled materials, agencies shall reference the current U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (EPA CPGs) as the minimum standards for the state of Washington.”
  • Accordingly, structural fiberboard must contain at least 80% total recovered material, which meets the U.S. EPA’s Comprehensive Procurement Guideline (CPG) for Structural Fiberboard.

Preferred specifications

Purchasers should include these specifications, unless not possible:

• Additional desirable environmental and health attributes of drywall and other types of wallboard include the following:
  • Cradle to Cradle Product Certificate or Material Health Certificate: v3.1 at the Silver level or higher OR v4.0 at the Silver level or higher
  • A Declare Label designated as “Red List Free”
  • Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) Indoor Advantage Gold (low emitting only)
  • UL GREENGUARD (low emitting only)
  • Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) (for wood and bamboo products)
• DES’ Recycled Content Purchasing Preference Policy (DES-255-00) directs state agencies to offer a purchasing preference of at least 10% to bidders whose products have a recycled-content percentage that exceeds the EPA CPG minimum.

Things to avoid

Purchasers should avoid these specifications whenever possible:

• EO 20-01: State Efficiency and Environmental Performance (SEEP) states, “When making purchasing, construction, leasing, and other decisions that affect state government’s emissions of greenhouse gases (GHGs) or other toxic substances, agencies shall explicitly consider the benefits and costs (including the social costs of carbon) of available options to avoid those emissions. Where cost-effective and workable solutions are available that will reduce or eliminate emissions, decision makers shall select the lower-emissions options.”
  • Accordingly, products may not contain formaldehyde or other chemicals on the CA Proposition 65 List of chemicals known to cause cancer, birth defects or other reproductive harm.

Laws, rules, and executive orders

These laws, rules, and executive orders must be included in the contract language:

• RCW 43.19A: Recycled Product Procurement
• DES’ Recycled Content Purchasing Preference Policy (DES-255-00)
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (EPA CPGs)
• EO 20-01: State Efficiency and Environmental Performance (SEEP)

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