Required specifications

Purchasers must include these specifications, unless not possible:

• RCW 19.27A: Energy Related Building Standards established the state’s strong commitment to making public buildings models of energy efficiency, including purchasing products and services that are highly energy-efficient or powered with renewable energy (e.g., solar or wind).
• EO 20-01: State Efficiency and Environmental Performance (SEEP) directs state agencies to “dramatically reduce energy use in state-owned facilities.”
• EO 04-01: Persistent Toxic Chemicals directs the state to make available for purchase and use equipment, supplies, and other products that do not contain persistent and bioaccumulative toxic (PBT) chemicals, unless there is no feasible alternative.
• EO 20-01: State Efficiency and Environmental Performance (SEEP) states that “reducing…the use of dangerous toxics in the products state agencies purchase will all have a direct positive effect on human health, particularly for vulnerable children.”
• It further 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, state agencies should include solar-and battery-powered generators on their market basket list and avoid specifying, purchasing or using diesel-powered generators or equipment containing lead acid batteries, whenever possible. Puget Sound Energy has more information about battery-powered generators.
• Consider natural gas-powered generators if battery-powered systems are not available or practical for your facility. The U.S. Department of Energy published a report comparing diesel versus natural gas generators.
• Whenever possible, include on your contract and give preference to power generators and storage systems that are also labeled RoHS-compliant, which means they are free of lead and other chemicals of concern.

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 19.27A: Energy Related Building Standards
• EO 04-01: Persistent Toxic Chemicals

Find these products on statewide contracts

Find products that meet Washington’s green purchasing specifications:

• Contract 04016: Electric vehicle supply equipment
• Contract 02420: Generator maintenance and repair

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