Required specifications

Purchasers must include these specifications, unless not 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.”

Preferred specifications

Purchasers should include these specifications, unless not possible:

• RCW 39.26.310 and DES’ Purchasing Preference for Products that Do Not Contain Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) (DES-310-00) direct state agencies to offer a preference of at least 5% to vendors that bid products (e.g., aerosol paint removers) that contain either (1) no HFCs or (2) HFCs with a relatively low global warming potential (GWP) if HFC-free products are unavailable. It also directs state agencies to purchase products that have been awarded a preference under this law.
• Additional desirable environmental and health attributes include:
  • USDA Certified Biobased products by the USDA’s BioPreferred Program
  • Have a third-party transparency label disclosing ingredients such as a Health Product Declaration (HPD) or Declare Label
  • Safer Choice

Things to avoid

Purchasers should avoid these specifications whenever possible:

• In accordance with EO 20-01: State Efficiency and Environmental Performance (SEEP)) , all paint removers must be devoid of carcinogens and reproductive toxins including, notably, methylene chloride, n-Methyl pyrrolidone (NMP), ethyl benzene, formaldehyde, toluene and trichloroethylene. Find a full list of Prop 65 chemicals known to the state of California 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:

• EO 20-01: State Efficiency and Environmental Performance (SEEP)
• RCW 39.26.310
• DES’ Purchasing Preference for Products that Do Not Contain Hydrofluorocarbons (HFCs) (DES- 310-00)

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