Procurement

Government agencies, as well as public institutions such as schools, purchase large quantities of computers and other electronic items. Government can put its enormous purchasing power to good use by developing contracts that give preference to manufacturers that offer environmentally preferable products and services. For example, a state government can specify in a purchasing contract that electronic products contain a certain level of recycled content material, or require that the manufacturer take back the old computers for reuse or recycling when an agency is ready to purchase new computers.

Model Procurement Guidelines

• A Guide to Environmentally Preferable Computer Purchasing
  The Northwest Product Stewardship Council's guide can help you make environmentally friendly choices when you purchase computer equipment. It details what product features can damage the environment and identifies better alternatives, and where to get details about products and contracts.
• Guidelines for Procurement, Use and End-of-Life Management of Electronic Equipment
  The California Integrated Waste Management Board (CIWMB), in partnership with the California Department of General Services, developed guidance for the purchase and management of electronic equipment. The guidelines are designed for state agency procurement officers, information technology staff, surplus property staff managers, and any other staff or managers involved in purchasing, using or managing electronic equipment.

Specifying Disposal and Management

Government can also specify that its old computers and other electronic products are handled in certain ways at the products' end-of-life stage. In the state's contract for the management and disposal of electronic products from government agencies and public institutions, Minnesota specifies that all end-of-life electronics shall be reused, recycled or disposed of only in Canada, Mexico or the United States. This provision keeps electronic products and materials from being shipped overseas for disposal or recycling, where the state is unable to certify whether and how the products are handled.

March 2002