To: Board of Supervisors
From: Brian M. Balbas, Public Works Director
Report Title: Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy
RECOMMENDATIONS:
APPROVE the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy as recommended by the Sustainability Committee, Countywide
FISCAL IMPACT:
There is no fiscal impact at this time. Many of the initiatives in the new Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy are being implemented now. Staff will have fiscal impacts of emerging areas such as low carbon concrete and Senate Bill 1383 organic waste purchase and reuse as these initiatives move forward.
BACKGROUND:
The current Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy was approved by this Board on April 15, 2008. The Sustainability Committee requested the policy be reviewed and updated, as appropriate. Public Works Department Purchasing staff took the following steps to update the policy:
• Reviewed other agencies policies including, Alameda County, and the cities of Berkeley, San Jose, and Seattle.
• Reviewed STOPWASTE’S Sustainable Procurement Policy Template and Model Policy template.
• Met with staff from Responsible Purchasing Network (RPN) and learned about resources such as RPN’s Sustainable Procurement Playbook and looked for opportunities to incorporate best practices into the County EPP.
• Attended a Hazardous Materials Committee meeting in April 2022 and a Hazardous Materials Commission meeting in May 2022 to receive input on proposed policy wording regarding PFAS and the use of treated wood. The commission discussed these items at their June 2022 and sent proposed language to Purchasing staff.
• Received input from the Department of Information Technology and the following divisions within the Public Works Department: Design/Construction, Fleet Services, Capital Projects, Maintenance, Facilities, and Custodial.
• Met with the County’s Sustainability Coordinator to receive input and revisions.
• Reviewed the draft Climate Action Plan (CAP) to ensure consistency between the CAOP and EPP.
The new policy was considered at the November 28, 2022, Sustainability Committee Meeting and the policy was recommended to move to this Board for approval with requested revisions. Once the new policy is approved, the Purchasing staff will communication the new policy to County staff and provide training, as needed.
CONSEQUENCE OF NEGATIVE ACTION:
Without approval of the new policy, County staff will continue to follow the 2008 Environmentally Preferable Policy. The new policy includes current purchasing requirements to minimize environmental impacts, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and advance the goals of the County’s Climate Action Plan.
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I hereby certify that this is a true and correct copy of an action taken and entered on the minutes of the Board of Supervisors on the date shown. |
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ATTESTED: |
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Monica Nino, County Administrator and Clerk of the Board of Supervisors |
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By: |