GSA offers information to federal buyers on requirements and policies for recycled content products, including the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act and the Federal Acquisition Regulation.  

The NASPO Green Purchasing Guide gives buyers that are members an understanding of green purchasing and its benefits, recommended steps to implement a green purchasing program, and other resources.  

The Office of Federal Sustainability, Council on Environmental Quality guides agencies on meeting Executive Order 13834 requirements, including purchasing recycled products. CEQ offers guidance on tracking, best practices, and implementation.  

The Comprehensive Procurement Guideline (CPG) program encourages agencies to use products containing recovered materials. EPA has designated 61 products in eight categories. The program also includes Recovered Materials Advisory Notices (RMAN), which provide recommendations for recycled-content levels for various products. EPA also offers the CPG Product Supplier Directory and fact sheets on the product categories. While the guidelines’ requirements apply to agencies using federal funds, state, local, and private organizations can use the guidelines to set standards to buy recycled products. 

Signed on May 17, 2018, Federal Executive order 13834 directs federal agencies to manage their operations to optimize environmental performance and reduce waste. The executive order requires each agency to prioritize actions that reduce waste, cut costs, enhance the resilience of federal infrastructure and operations, and enable effective accomplishment of its mission. The order outlines goals that agencies must meet when implementing policy.  

King County encourages agencies to buy goods and services with positive economic, social, and environmental effects through its sustainable purchasing program. The county provides information on ecolabels, reports, policies, and other resources. The county’s Sustainable Purchasing Guide informs purchasers on products in the categories of construction, electronics, office products, operations and maintenance, and transportation. 

The Maryland Department of General Services (DGS) offers Information on Maryland’s green purchasing program, including specifications, a best practices manual, and annual reports. 

Massachusetts offers a comprehensive listing of environmentally preferable products and services available on the Operational Service Division’s statewide contracts.  

• Massachusetts Environmentally Preferable Products List 
• Massachusetts Environmentally Preferable Services List 

California’s Buy Recycled Program assists state and local governments in establishing programs for buying recycled products. The State Agency Buy Recycled Campaign assists procurement and contracting officers with information on complying with the state requirements to buy products from 11 product categories. The program also offers the Recycled Content Product Manufacturers Directory, the RecycleStore (which lists California manufacturers of recycled products from California Market Development Zones), information on green building, and help with environmentally preferable purchasing, including a Buying Green Guide and sample ordinances. 

OGS Procurement Services is the state’s centralized procurement office. They solicit, administer, and manage approximately 1,500 contracts on behalf of authorized contract users including state agencies and authorities, local governments, school districts, colleges and universities, and other qualifying nonprofit organizations. Their contract offerings include a wide range of commodities, services, and technology available at competitive, volume discounted/reduced prices while maintaining statutory compliance. Procurement Services also educates vendors and public purchasers regarding how to participate effectively in the state’s procurement process.

Green Seal has developed 27 environmental leadership standards in more than 500 product categories. Green Seal offers information on their review process and listings of current certified products and services. 

The Responsible Purchasing Network provides buyers with procurement tools and resources designed to save money, conserve resources, reduce waste, and improve efficiency. The Best Practices Guide helps states practice green purchasing in multiple product categories.  

SCS informs purchasers on companies and organizations that are meeting high environmental standards. SCS offers verification and certification in a variety of environmental categories. The Certified Green Products Guide offers a directory of green products certified by SCS in various categories. The website’s Resource Center includes articles, webinars, and videos.  

Conservatree offers information on environmentally friendly papers, including discussions on reducing paper use, post-consumer content, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification for forest friendly products, bleaching, and tree free and chlorine free papers 

Ecologo certifies products and services that have a lower environmental effect while providing quality product performance. They certify products through scientific testing and third-party evaluation. Ecologo certifies products in categories including building and construction, cleaning, high-tech and office products, mineral exploration, paper and plastic, personal care, and renewable energy.  

The Recycling Market Development Platform connects buyers with tools and resources for making sustainable decisions that stimulate a circular economy for recyclables. The platform includes information on quality feedstock, using recycled content, design for recycling, buying recycled products and recycle right. 

The RIC provides information on remanufactured products, including standards and certified companies. Remanufactured products are available for a variety of products, including aircraft components, automotive parts, electrical and electronic equipment, engines and components, medical equipment, office furniture, printing equipment and restaurant and food-service equipment 

The Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council offers various programs such as the Strategic Program Planning Process, leadership guidance, webinars, and more. The Council’s Guidance for Leadership in Sustainable Purchasing provides buyers with information on buying products that have a lower effect on the environment.