Purchasing Guide Aids Local Governments

The National Association of Counties (NACo), Washington, has developed the "Environmental Purchasing Starter Kit: A Guide to Greening Government Through Powerful Purchasing Decisions."

The guide is designed to help county officials make purchases with an eye on recycled-content products and other products deemed "environmentally preferable." The guide helps identify such products, outlines how to gain support for programs, and explains how to take advantage of public awareness.

"Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) not only protects out health and preserves resources, but plays an important role in stimulating investment in new industries," says NACo President C. Vernon Gray. "To remain competitive in the global arena we must depend on the continued development of clean, efficient technologies for domestic use and export."

The kit was developed with support from the U.S. EPA’s Office of Pollution Prevention and Toxic Substances. For more information, Naomi Friedman of NACo can be contacted at (202) 942-4262.