Burlington making headways with the implementation of its Environmental Purchasing Policy (EPP)
September 2009 – This summer, Burlington Mayor Bob Kiss endorsed the City’s new Environmentally Preferred Purchasing (EPP) policy to help save the City money while helping the environment. EPP or “green purchasing” is buying products or services that have a lesser or reduced affect on human health and the environment when compared with competing products or services the serve the same purpose. Drafted over many months by the Mayor’s Burlington Sustainability Action Team (or green team), this policy reflects the city’s commitment to human and environmental health, and wise and effective use of city funds for all its operations.
In mid-June, 23 City purchasers from 12 departments gathered to review the policy and begin implementation. Assisting them was Dr. Kevin Lyons, a nationally recognized EPP specialist and Director of Purchasing at Rutgers University, along with Jessica Frank, the city’s CFO Executive Secretary. Since that initial training, several departments have been working together to purchase office supplies through Jessica Frank every two weeks, reducing significantly the truck travel by our supplier as well as elimination of packaging waste.
And while the policy expresses the city’s commitment to “green” purchasing, green purchasing isn’t new to Burlington. Last year Fire station #2 transitioned to Green Seal Certified cleaning products including glass, carpet and tile cleaners and to washroom towels and toilet tissue made with 100% recycled fiber. “Although initially doubtful” says Captain Tom Costello, “we’re satisfied with these new products and are happy to have made the switch. We hope others will follow suit and consider buying ‘green’ whenever possible.” The Parks and Recreation Department has been using these and other “green” products for several years.
