BUSINESS MANAGEMENT: Eco-Friendly Shopping Helps Close the Loop

Reducing materials consumption;

Providing a useful outlet for recycled material;

Reducing greenhouse gas emissions;

Conserving energy and water; and

Reducing the presence of environmentally toxic materials.

In addition to environmental rewards and economic benefits that stem from decreasing purchasing and disposal costs, EPP programs also improve public relations. Cleaning up the environment and conserving natural resources generally generates good publicity and can lead to more business.

“In markets where price competition is intense, environmental performance can be the differentiating factor that influences consumers' purchasing decisions,” the report says.

Herman Miller, a Zeeland, Mich.-based furniture manufacturer, says his company increased its competitive edge by establishing an EPP program. The company conducts lifecycle analyses (LCAs) on its manufactured products to track their environmental effects. This, in turn, helps the company choose materials and production processes more wisely.

But the LCAs also “reassure customers that the products they purchase are environmentally sustainable” — resulting in improved customer relations and increased company sales, Miller says.

The report recommends businesses that want to develop an EPP program appoint a “green team” to review purchasing, research new products, educate employees about new purchasing procedures, monitor and publicize program successes, and provide ongoing evaluation and adjustment of company-wide EPP goals and policies.

Goals could include:

Recycled-content percentages;

Toxic materials content;

Use of renewable resources;

Chemical releases;

Waste generation (solid, hazardous, air emissions, etc.); and

Energy- and water-efficiency ratings.

Once the green team identifies the goals, EPP efforts should reach all areas of company purchasing, such as ordering office supplies (paper, compact discs, pens, pencils and plastic supplies) or green cleaning (where chemical cleaning products are chosen because of their environmental friendliness and because they do not harm worker health and safety).

For example, in 1999, Yellowstone National Park's EPP efforts included purchasing cleaning agents less likely to cause worker respiratory distress and eye and skin irritation. The park also reduced the number of cleaning products it uses from 150 to nine, using more environmentally conscious products.

To help an EPP program succeed, companies should also track their progress. This helps businesses measure program goals, which can be documented to encourage staff members and management.

For more information, visit www.epa.gov/oppt/epp or call WasteWise toll-free at (800) EPA-WISE (372-9473). E-mail [email protected].