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.
• DES’ Recycled Content Purchasing Preference Policy (POL-DES-255-00)
  • States, “In 62 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.” This policy also 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.
• All paper sticky notes and easel pads must contain at least 30% post-consumer recycled content (PCRC), which complies with the applicable U.S. EPA’s Comprehensive Procurement Guideline for Printing and Writing Papers. Products with a higher percentage of recycled content than the applicable U.S. EPA CPG for this product category are eligible for a bid preference of at least 10%.

Preferred specifications

Purchasers should include these specifications, unless not possible:

• DES’ Procurement Preference for Products and Product Packaging that Do Not Contain Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) (POL-DES-280-00)
  • ​​​​​​​Establishes a minimum 5% bid preference authorized in RCW 39.26.280 for bidders that offer products and packaging contain the lowest concentration of PCBs, when tested. The intent of this policy is to incentivize the state’s contract suppliers to provide products and packaging that do not contain PCBs.

Things to avoid

Purchasers should avoid these specifications whenever possible:

• Bidders must avoid offering PCB-containing products and packaging unless there is no cost-effective or technically feasible alternative. In such cases, they must identify all products and packaging in their offering that contain PCBs. Products and packaging that have been tested and confirmed to have a relatively low concentration of PCBs compared to those offered by other bidders are eligible for a bid preference of at least 5%.

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 (POL-DES-255-00)
• Comprehensive Procurement Guideline for Printing and Writing Papers. Products
• DES’ Procurement Preference for Products and Product Packaging that Do Not Contain Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) (POL-DES-280-00)
• RCW 39.26.280

Find these products on statewide contracts

Find products that meet Washington’s green purchasing specifications:

• Contract 06019: Office Supplies

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