Public entities
In Minnesota, most sustainable purchasing requirements are implemented at the local government level. However, there are some state requirements for public entities:
Minnesota state law (Minn. Stat. 16C.073) requires all public entities to follow environmentally preferable printing practices, including use of chlorine-free, uncoated paper with a minimum of 30% post-consumer recycled content, among other requirements.
Public entities are defined here.
State agencies
Through the Sustainable Procurement Program Charter all cabinet agencies are asked to:
- Use sustainable state contracts that meet agency business needs
- Support the principles of sustainable procurement established in the charter
- Participate in contract user groups and provide feedback on contract terms when appropriate
- Participate in the quarterly Solid Waste and Procurement Workgroup meetings
State agencies must follow statutes and executive orders related to sustainable purchasing. These include:
- Executive Order 19-27 establishes a sustainable procurement goal that 25% of total spending on priority contracts must be sustainable purchases by 2025.
- Minnesota Statute 106C.0725 gives a 10% price preference for products containing post-consumer recycled content and durable, reusable, recyclable, and less-toxic products, encouraging purchasers to write specifications for these products.
- Minnesota Statute 325E.387 mandates the availability of products free of polybrominated diphenyl ethers (PBDE), which have been used in a wide variety of products as a flame retardant.
- State agencies have sustainability requirements beyond sustainable procurement set by Executive Order 19-27. The Office of Enterprise Sustainability helps state agencies meet sustainability goals.
Federal government
Federal government entities are required to follow the Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines.