Why Become a Green Purchasing Community? PO
The Green Purchasing Communities (GPC) program makes it easy for local governments to ensure that the products they are purchasing have a lower environmental impact.
Benefits of becoming a GPC include
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Adopting a simple-to-administer green purchasing program
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Moving the market in a more sustainable direction
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Being recognized for your commitment to the environment
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Getting points towards Climate Smart Communities Certification
Local governments that become a Green Purchasing Community commit to following the GreenNY purchasing specifications that New York State government uses. By making this simple change, local governments can work towards purchasing products and services that are better for our public health and the environment. With over 75 different GreenNY purchasing specifications covering office and building management supplies, electronic equipment and appliances, food service items, and transportation items, there are specifications to follow for a wide variety of items frequently purchased by local governments. In addition, the GreenNY Council is constantly working to update existing specifications and create new ones, meaning that Green Purchasing Communities will automatically be following the latest green purchasing specifications. Additional “environmentally preferable purchasing” language can also be added to local government purchasing policies to encourage procurement of “recycled” or “energy efficient” equipment, for example.
How to Become a Green Purchasing Community PD
Becoming a GPC is as easy as 1, 2... that’s it!
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Add the Green New York model language to the government’s purchasing policy. Amendments to purchasing policies are normally approved by the municipality’s legislative body or another body that handles procurement policy, such as a board of estimate and apportionment.
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Submit the application, along with the resolution approving the inclusion of the model language and a copy of the new purchasing policy to gpc@dec.ny.gov.
Learn More [
You can learn more about the program on the GPC website or by contacting us at gpc@dec.ny.gov.