Responsible Purchasing is Environmentally Preferable Purchasing

Environmentally preferable purchasing is an effort to purchase products and services that are less harmful to the environment and human health. In 2005, the Center launched the Responsible Purchasing Network to formalize its base of organizations, businesses and agencies committed to practicing environmentally preferable purchasing.  The Responsible Purchasing Network is a diverse network of stakeholders that promotes and practices responsible purchasing by identifying best practices, developing effective purchasing tools, educating the market and utilizing its collective purchasing power to maximize environmental stewardship, protect human health and support local and global sustainability.

A powerful force

Institutional purchasers – including federal agencies, state and local governments, colleges and universities, and private companies – represent tremendous purchasing power. For example, state and local governments spend more than $400 billion, and colleges and universities spend more than $300 billion, on products and services every year.

A growing movement

The Responsible Purchasing Network is committed to the identification, utilization and dissemination of standards and practices that minimize or eliminate destructive impacts without compromising performance or cost-effectiveness. Environmental purchasing has moved well beyond the “buy recycled” movement of the 1980s to include multiple health and environmental product attributes. In addition to recycled content, institutions are now requiring products that are energy and water efficient, contain less toxic materials, and are recyclable.

Staying ahead of the curve

In business, keeping ahead of the pack and emerging as a leader requires innovative ideas and the latest research. RPN has the resources to keep your company, whether you are large or small, on the leading edge of environmental and financial sustainability. Our current news, comprehensive reports, practical recommendations, and hands-on consulting services will help your company be successful in going green and making green.

The guesswork gone

Keeping up with changing environmental standards and labeling can be a job in itself. The Responsible Purchasing Network bases their practical tools and resources on credible product standards and proven strategies for addressing social and environmental considerations.

For more information on the Responsible Purchasing Network, please contact rpn@newdream.org