1. PURPOSE The purpose of the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (“EPP”) policy is to support the purchase of recycled and environmentally preferable products, and reduce waste to minimize environmental impacts of our work. The County of Sacramento recognizes that employees can make a difference in favor of environmental stewardship through contractual relationships and purchasing practices. The types of products and services purchased by the County of Sacramento has a big impact on our environment, our residents, and our employees. The purchase of environmentally preferable products and services shall be evaluated in all procurements whenever they perform satisfactorily and are available at a reasonably competitive price. Where possible this includes the reduction or elimination of single use products. Additionally, state law now requires the County to purchase Recovered Organic Waste Products and recycled content paper. 2. GOALS The goals of this policy are to: • Protect and conserve natural resources, water and energy; • Minimize the County’s contribution to climate change, pollution, and solid waste disposal; • Provide guidance for County departments on environmentally preferable purchasing; • Comply with State requirements as contained in 14 CCR Division 7, Chapter 12, Article 12 (SB 1383 procurement regulations). SB 1383 (2016) requires: o Procurement of Recovered Organic Waste Products to support Organic Waste disposal reduction targets and to support markets for products made from recycled and recovered Organic Waste materials; and o Procurement of Recycled-Content Paper Products and Recycled-Content Printing and Writing Paper. • Comply with directives in the County of Sacramento Climate Emergency Resolution No. 2020-0856; and • Comply with directives in the County of Sacramento Climate Action Plan.
