Responsible Purchasing News
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Learn about an innovative program developed by Green-e that certifies products manufactured with 100% renewable energy such as solar or wind power 
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The Basel Action Network (BAN), the owner of the e-Stewards Certification for electronics recyclers, announced today that it has included the R2 (Responsible Recycling) Practices, developed earlier by an Environmental Protection Agency sponsored multi-stakeholder process, into the more comprehensive e-Stewards Standard. More
Want to learn how your organization can help protect the environment and human health through greener purchasing? Watch RPN's orientation webinar to learn more! More
Itâs called the County Green Purchasing Toolkit, an interactive Web-based resource that shares innovative county best practices with other local governments nationwide to help them save money while buying more environmentally preferable products. More
Did you miss RPN's most recent webinar? Watch the recording to learn how procurement decisions can dramatically improve water efficiency. More
In August 2011, EcoLogo (which is now owned by UL) published a revised Standard for Hard Surface Cleaners (CCD-146), which covers products such as general purpose and glass cleaners, bathroom cleaners (non-disinfecting), degreasers and dish-washing detergents. More
Earlier this summer, Santa Clara County, CA became the first US municipality to require the recyclers it hires to collect and recycle electronic waste to be a certified e-Stewards recycler. More
The Roundtable on Sustainable Biofuels (RSB) has launched the first global third-party certification system for sustainable biofuels such as ethanol and biodiesel. More
In June 2011, Connecticut Governor Dannel Malloy signed the nation's third statewide law (after California and Oregon) requiring paint manufacturers to safely manage leftover latex and oil-based paint from consumer and contractor painting jobs. More
In August 2011,Green Seal released a new standard for Specialty Cleaning Products for Institutional and Industrial Use. GS-53 covers products such as commercial dish soaps, graffiti removers, automotive cleansers, deck and outdoor cleaners, odor removers, and furniture polishes and waxes, among others. More
Earlier this year, Minnesota's Governor Dayton signed EO 11-13, Strengthening State Agency Environmental, Energy and Transportation Sustainability, which directs state agencies to implement new practices and policies that save money and reduce the environmental impact of state government operations. More
This summer, the Hawai'i State Procurement Office added certified green cleaning products to its statewide contract by utilizing the Western States Contracting Alliance (WSCA) Janitorial Supplies Contract More
Through a partnership with the National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO), RPN is helping several states add environmental specifications to their bid solicitations and promote increased usage of the green products on their contracts More
In May 2011, Vermont Governor Shumlin signed into law a bill to prevent mercury pollution from fluorescent lamps. More
During this webinar, RPN reviewed green alternatives for commonly used building maintenance products such as paint, janitorial supplies, and lighting fixtures and lamps and focused on how greener choices within these product categories can help increase energy efficiency, reduce waste, improve indoor air quality, and in many cases, produce cost savings! More
With the launch of GS-53, Green Seal now offers standards for most cleaning products. Register today for Green Seal's Sept. 7 Webinar. More
First Thursday Seminars are FEMP training opportunities targeting Federal energy, environmental, and fleet professionals offered at no cost by leading experts. More
Let the Responsible Purchasing Network help you stay on top of the latest developments with Underwriters Laboratories Environment (ULE). More
This comprehensive Webinar is geared to both experienced "green" purchasers and those just getting started and covered important aspects of a successful food service ware program from an environmental purchasing perspective. More
Please join the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) and the Responsible Purchasing Network (RPN) for a free Webinar on how to promote "green" purchasing at your college or university. More
Through a pilot project with NASPO, RPN is offering limited assistance on various state-level sustainable procurement initiatives. Applications are now being accepted. More
The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency will require all products using its Designed for the Environment labeling program to disclose their full ingredients to consumers. More
In "Greenwashing vs. Green Products", Alicia Culver, Director of the Responsible Purchasing Network, will help schools learn how to spot false "green" marketing clams and procure products that have substantiated environmental attributes. More
Join the Responsible Purchasing Network (RPN) and other purchasing associations across the globe in recognizing the purchasing profession, and more specifically, the sustainable purchasing profession! More
UL Environment acquires indoor air quality market leaders Air Quality Sciences and its certifying body GREENGUARD Environmental Institute More
Stay connected through RPN's newest social media outlets to catch the latest responsible purchasing news and resources. More
RPN recently made recommendations on how two key federal agencies - the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the General Services Administration (GSA) - can stimulate the production and consumption of sustainable products in the United States. More
The New and Prospective Member Orientation and Sustainable Purchasing 101 webinar covered RPN's membership resources and important first steps for your green purchasing program that shouldn't be missed. More
RPN Members now have access to the webinar slides and recording, which featured useful strategies on how to cut greenhouse gas emissions through purchasing. More
The conference, hosted on Oct. 20 in Oakland, CA, featured several guest speakers to discuss their EPP policies and programs and a product prioritization exercise. More
The award winning video explores the benefits of an EPP program and provides an overview of green purchasing in an informative and incredibly creative presentation. More
Under a set of environmental marketing guidelines that were proposed by the Federal Trade Commission today, businesses would soon have to tread more carefully when calling their products "green" or "eco-friendly." More
To better serve you, RPN is teaming up with the staff of the Green Purchasing Institute (GPI), another organization that has been providing technical support directly to states, local governments, school districts and other nonprofit organizations on a wide array of sustainable purchasing initiatives since 2004. More
The SF Approved List is a compilation of products, services, and (eventually) ecolabels that meet the health and environmental standards of the City & County of San Francisco. More
The Webinar, featuring Maria Vargas of ENERGY STAR, presented new changes in the certification program and included a thorough Q&A. More
Eco-labels can be an incredibly useful tool for purchasers. It isn't always easy to ascertain if one product is more "green" than another or if its environmental claims are true. Eco-labels can help facilitate the procurement of responsible products because, when credible, they provide an objective authentication of environmental assertions and ensure products meet varying environmental and human health requirements. More
RPN has created two case studies concerning office electronics, that provides real-world experiences on how green procurement can save your institution money and environmental resources. More
Nova Scotia Premier Darrell Dexter used the annual convention of CUPE Nova Scotia to announce his government is committed to a ban on the sale of bottled water in all provincial facilities that have potable water. More
After critical audits, the federal government said Wednesday that it would substantially tighten the certification process for products bearing the Energy Star label, its stamp of approval for an energy-efficient product. More
Amazon.com announced January 20 that customers now have access to information on computers' EPEAT (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool) ratings. More
The RPN Model Responsible Purchasing Report is now available to download for RPN members. This report helps purchasers track their responsible purchasing and create their own responsible purchasing report. More
A bill requiring state facilities to make "greener" decisions when purchasing materials won unanimous Senate approval Wednesday. Lawmakers promised to monitor the effect on manufacturers who claimed the measure would cost jobs. More
The presentation slides and video recording to RPN's most popular Webinar are now available for download. Learn how your organization can better track its socially responsible and environmentally preferable purchasing. More
During the past few weeks, people around the world were filled with national pride and were captivated by the phenomenal feats of the best athletes we have. Marking another proud achievement, the promotion of the Olympic Games as the greenest ever demonstrates just how far the sustainability field has progressed. More
In case you missed RPN's New and Prospective Member Orientation webinar, the presentation slides are now accessible on the RPN site. More
Brown University became the first Ivy League school to pledge to stop using bottled water. Within a year, the school hopes to reduce bottled water usage from 250,000 bottles to 0. More
RPN's latest publication, a Paper Standards Comparison Chart, has been revised based on member feedback to include more background information on different paper certifications. This revision will make the acquisition of environmentally preferable paper easier by providing a clearer picture of the eco-labels that certify them. More
The end of 2009 fittingly will close with RPN becoming one of the inaugural certified green businesses recognized by Montgomery County, Maryland, where we are based, and being invited to take part in the launch press conference. More
Montgomery County, Maryland awarded the Center for a New American Dream their new Green Business Certification. A press conference held December 16 showcased the inaugural group of 11 organizations operating in Montgomery County that were successfully audited against 244 environmental criteria in areas such as environmentally responsible purchasing, waste reduction and recycling, pollution prevention, energy efficiency and renewable energy, water use, and transportation. More
ICLEI (Local Governments for Sustainability) and UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) have joined together to create the Bonn Center for Local Climate Action and Reporting-- carbonn. The new program will help municipalities report and compare their greenhouse gas emissions. More
In today's economic climate, all organizations need to improve their bottom line, and RPN is working to provide information that will help you reduce purchasing costs and increase your savings. RPN is conducting a survey that will be the basis for our upcoming "Saving Green" Purchasing Guide, which will focus on how purchasers can save money and resources, and we invite you to contribute to its success by filling out the questionnaire when it arrives in your e-mail box. More
Jonathan Cohen, Director of Workplace Programs, which includes RPN, discusses the implications of Arlington and Fairfax County's decision to procure more environmentally preferable products in a Washington Business Journal article. More
"Maryland Green Travel," a new state initiative, will promote environmental best practices throughout the local tourism industry and promote Maryland as a green destination for eco-tourists. More
Green Seal will begin a new certification of companies as a whole based on their commitment to environmentally conscious business practices, in addition to the production of environmentally preferable products. More
USGBC predicts that the green building industry will create or support 7.9 million jobs and contribute $554 billion to U.S. gross domestic product (GDP) over the next four years by constructing new environmentally preferable buildings or renovating existing ones to reduce carbon emissions. More
Your body is probably home to a chemical known as Bisphenol A (BPA), a chemical commonly used in plastic water bottles. Although the science isn't conclusive, there might be reason for concern. More
Learn from Carbonfund.org how your business may reduce what it can and offset what it can't. More
RPN member, the Northeast Reycycling Council (NERC) will hold its fall conference October 27-28. This year's theme is the union between recycling and energy conservation. More
NEC Display Solutions is the world's first manufacturer to receive a TCO certificate for projectors. TCO Certified is a new RPN Member working to certify IT and office equipment products for usability and environmental stewardship. More
We could be forgiven for thinking the following text was extracted from an RPN rather than a White House press release: "[I]ncrease energy efficiency; reduce fleet petroleum consumption; conserve water; reduce waste; support sustainable communities; and leverage... purchasing power to promote environmentally-responsible products and technologies." More
RPN will serve as a forum supporter to the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education's new online discussion forum for colleges and universities wishing to share ideas and ask sustainability questions. More
Grocers are finding that LED lighting not only saves energy and money, it also makes for more vibrant, attractive displays. More
According to an annual survey by TerraChoice, institutional purchasers in the US continue to "buy green" despite the economic downturn. More
The State of California has approved the nation's first carbon fee on polluting industries, a new energy plan and more stringent controls of chemically-created consumer products. More
Read RPN's Phillip Kobernick's article in Corporate United Quarterly on how your business can buy greener paper and still lower costs. More
RPN member Office Depot is using a new "Shades of Green" labeling program to improve transparency and help institutional purchasers gauge the greenness of their purchases. More
RPN staff will be hosting a Green Electronics Workshop at the Massachusetts EPP Fair in Worcester, MA on October 27, covering best practices, standards, useful reporting tools and more. More
RPN will host a Bottled Water Alternatives for Universities webinar on October 29 to herald a new university edition of the Responsible Purchasing Guide for Bottled Water Alternatives. More
Clark County, Washington, five years into its green purchasing program, is taking a careful look at which green purchasing initiatives offer the most bang for the buck. More
The City of Portland pursues a low-car diet for the general public through initiatives to expand Zipcar service. More
The Green Seal Environmental Standard for Restaurants and Food Services was approved by the American National Standards Institute (ANSI) as the first nationally recognized green restaurant standard. More
The City of Santa Rosa urges residents to utilize the gifts of nature through a new rainwater harvesting water conservation program aimed at helping offset the cost of rainwater storage equipment for home and business owners. More
The requirement that federal agencies purchase green electronics has been one of the most readily accepted acquisition changes in the government in recent history. More
RPN member, Yale University, was recently recognized for sustainable efforts by Princeton Review's Green Honor Roll, TreeHugger's greenest colleges, and Sierra Club's top 20 "Cool Schools." More
The U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC) is launching a new initiative to provide feedback to owners of LEED Certified buildings and help them address performance gaps that stem from predicted building performance versus actual performance. More
Educational facilities from colleges to grade schools are saving money and cutting carbon by implementing sustainable measures that range from lighting retrofits to green roofs. More
Roofing companies are increasingly turning to green roofs and other sustainable practices as a way to expand business in hard times. More
NASA's Ames Research Center in Sunnyvale, CA is set to begin construction on a new building that will employ both space age and down to earth technologies to become the greenest building ever built by the federal government. More
We don't miss the water when the cash runs dry. Bottled water, that is. That refreshing news came recently as Nestle reported nearly a 5 percent drop in bottled water sales in North America and Western Europe. More
Businesses in London aiming to develop green procurement initiatives and reduce their environmental impact have a new online tool, courtesy of London's City Hall. More
Light Emitting Diodes (LEDs) are extremely efficient lighting products that can create energy cost savings for any organization. LEDs have many applications. Learn three ways your organization can take advantage of LEDs with the Responsible Purchasing Guide for LED Exit Signs, Street Lights, and Traffic Signals. More
105 alternative-fuel vehicles and other energy savings measures helped AT&T make big emission cuts in 2008. More
A white roof is one of the green innovations as Wyndham Worldwide pursues LEED Silver status for its efforts to make new HQ a highly efficient and healthy place to work. More
Join RPN for a September 17th webinar on how to use cooperative contracts to increase your organization's ability to obtain environmentally preferable products at lower costs. More
Facing tight budgets, procurement officials from school districts across the nation are turning to cooperative contracts to achieve economies of scale and reduce duplication of efforts. More
The Green Electronics Council's Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) has been localized to reflect the products available in specified countries. More
RPN and Carbonfund.org have partnered to produce a Responsible Purchasing Guide for Carbon Offsets to help organizations make smart choices that allow them reach their carbon reduction goals. More
Wisconsin and San Antonio are each launching initiatives to push area manufacturers toward innovation and adoption of renewable energy and energy efficiency. More
Attend the August 19th RPN Webinar for LED Exit Signs, Street Lights, and Traffic Signals and learn about three ways your organization can cut energy use and save money with super efficient LEDs. More
Join RPN Manager Vincent Kitira and RPN Steering Committee Member, Scot Case, on August 20th as they participate in an EPA-hosted webinar to discuss strategies for separating green products from green washing. More
AT&T is switching the signs on 6,500 of its stores to an LED lighting system from General Electric. The effort with reduce energy usage by nearly 6 million kilowatt hours and cut 3,500 metric tons of carbon dioxide emissions annually. More
The Responsible Purchasing Guide for Food Containers was prepared for the County of Los Angeles as a customized companion to the Food Services guide. This guide outlines the basic social and environmental issues and costs related to polystyrene food container use, provides model policies and bid specs related to food containers, and addresses practical issues in waste management related to food containers. More
FedEx is delivering lower emissions with the addition of 92 retrofitted hybrid-electric delivery trucks to its California fleet--the first standard FedEx delivery trucks converted to hybrid. More
RPN Member Washington University continues to make green building news with the announcement that its Village East student apartment building has received a LEED Silver rating from the U.S. Green Building Council. More
The world's biggest retailer has shared plans to develop a worldwide sustainable product index that will lead to higher quality, lower costs and measure the sustainability of products. More
The Center for a New American Dream seeks a Workplace Programs Director to manage the organization's efforts to promote responsible purchasing. More
Plano, Texas recently elected to use a low-polluting dry kiln cement over a cheaper alternative for a $4.9 million road-widening project. More
The National Association of Counties (NACO) is sponsoring two national competitions for county governments to win grants to help the counties promote greener living by county employees and residents. More
On July 1st, 2009, Energy Star Version 5.0 Specification for Computer Equipment went into effect. Manufacturers must comply with these new regulations in order to receive Energy Star certification. More
The environmental standard and certification program, EcoLogo, recently announced the initiation of its first standard for pool and spa chemicals. More
Leonardo Academy, a non profit promoting sustainability, is now accepting applications for an additional member on the SCS-002 Standards Committee within the Environmentalist Interest Category who will be part of the national dialogue on life-cycle assessment and Type III labeling. More
The U.S. EPA has a new competitive grant program for local and tribal governments that want to establish and implement climate change initiatives to reduce greenhouse gas emissions in their communities. More
Seattle is one of several U.S. cities planning to use federal stimulus funds to retrofit streetlights with energy- and cost-efficient LEDs. More
A new online resource from the Pew Center provides information on technologies to help reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions across five key sectors: electricity, transportation, industrial, residential and commercial, and agriculture. More
At the end of May, Washington University in St. Louis--a member of RPN
--officially opened its new Living Learning Center, a building on the cutting edge of sustainable design. More
By converting its lawn tractor from diesel to waste vegetable oil from campus dining halls, the sustainability-oriented Ohio college is cutting emissions and fuel costs along with the grass. More
Available now as a free download, our annual Trends report shows how RPN members are adopting green policies and implementing green purchasing programs that conserve resources, mitigate pollution and waste, and promote a green economy. More
Serve up sustainable dining with the Responsible Purchasing Guide for Food Services. The guide offers a cornucopia of strategies and resources for establishing an institutional green dining program, reducing waste, sourcing local and sustainable food, and much more. More
A Minnesota-based company is taking paint recycling to the next level, turning the contents of half-empty paint cans into high-quality new paint that is Green Seal certified. More
The Responsible Purchasing Guide for Green Power new features two new calculators developed by EPA's Pollution Prevention (P2) Program to quantify emissions reductions and financial savings from implementing P2 activities. More
According to a May 30 article in the New York Times, the future of Light Emitting Diodes (LED) lighting is, well, bright. The declining cost and dramatically superior energy efficiency of LED lighting is bringing it out of the shadows and into mainstream use. More
Responsible purchasing through cooperative contracts helps leverage collective purchasing power to obtain competitive pricing and better service, reduce contract costs, and shift the marketplace toward greener products. Explore your options with this handy factsheet. More
Green Seal has released GS-46, Environmental Standard for Restaurants and Foodservices, a new life-cycle based certification standard covering food, energy and water use, and waste. More
For the first time, EPA announced Energy Star requirements for computer servers that will protect the environment and result in significant energy savings. More
Two new solar projects--for a combined 150 MW potential--are poised to give New York State's power grid a sunnier disposition. More
New York City, Indianapolis and London are among cities adding hybrid vehicles to their police fleets. More
A law signed into effect in early May mandates reduced paper use, full recycling, and 100% recycled content paper for Washington state agencies and college campuses. More
In June, RPN Senior Director Chris O'Brien was appointed as a voting director on ASTM International's new sustainability committee, established to make sustainable development a reality throughout the marketplace. More
After just over a year of development, the new Green Seal Environmental Standard for Restaurants and Food Services, GS-46, is complete and is now available for applications for Green Seal certification. More
Read King County's 2008 Environmental Purchasing Annual Report to learn how they spent $54 million on environmentally preferable products while saving over $800,000, compared to conventional alternatives. More
RPN member, Snohomish County, is moving ahead with an ambitious plan to "homebrew" its own fuel, by drying, storing, and crushing canola seed to produce biodiesel. More
In a bind over offset options? Help is on the way. The Responsible Purchasing Network has partnered with Carbonfund.org to produce a Carbon Offsets Purchasing Guide, scheduled for release in May. The guide will outline the environmental impacts of various offset options, so your organization can get the most abatement for your buck. More
RPN Members, now you can proudly display your commitment to socially responsible and environmentally sustainable purchasing with the RPN Member Badge. Place it on your website or use it in written materials to show the world you are serious about responsible purchasing. More
In early April, the L.A. City Council unanimously passed a "Green Building Retrofit Ordinance" that will retrofit city-owned building to achieve LEED silver certification, provide green jobs, and revitalize L.A.'s inner city. More
Vincent Kitira is our new RPN Manager! Vincent previously worked for the City of New York's Department of Citywide Administrative Services; Division of Municipal Supply Services (DMSS)--NYC government's main purchasing agency. More
Louisville's Transit Authority of River City (TARC) plans to use funds from the federal stimulus package to make its bus fleet greener while creating jobs. More
This past March in Reykjavik, over 220 delegates from 41 nations, representing local governments, national governments and other public sector bodies, heard RPN Senior Director, Chris O'Brien, and others discuss how green purchasing practices can counter climate change. More
Come October 30th, computer monitors, digital picture frames, and other electronic displays will have to meet stricter standards to qualify for the Energy Star label. More
Thirty-three companies and firms from across the region have signed on as charter members of the Greater Philadelphia Green Business Program, an initiative of the Pennsylvania Environmental Council that asks businesses to voluntarily commit to green procurement and other green office practices. More
RPN is pleased to announce the winners of the first annual Responsible Purchaser of the Year awards: Jeffrey Baer of the City of Portland, Oregon, Yalmaz Siddiqui of Office Depot, Eric Nelson and Karen Hamilton of King County, Washington, and Alicia Culver of the Green Purchasing Institute. More
RPN seeks three qualified procurement and/or sustainability professionals to serve on the RPN Exam Panel. More
Anoka County, just north of Minneapolis and St. Paul, has opened up an internet surplus goods store to divert unneeded supplies away from the landfill and toward willing buyers. More
By 2019, AT&T is planning to add 15,000 alternative-fuel vehicles to its corporate fleet. The company intends to invest $565 million toward this goal. More
The State of Connecticut has been named one of only three states making EPA's top 50 list of national Green Power Partners. This year, Connecticut will purchase more than 98 million kilowatt-hours of green power--enough to meet 17 percent of the state's purchased electricity use. More
Register today for the March 24th webinar hosted by the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP). The presenters will be Scot Case, TerraChoice Environmental Marketing VP, and Jeffrey Baer, Bureau of Purchases Director for the City of Portland and RPN Steering Committee member. More
Earlier this month, the mayors of the San Francisco Bay area's three largest cities--San Francisco, Oakland, and San Jose--signed a regional agreement outlining joint goals for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. More
The Carolinas Association of Government Purchasers held their Spring Conference and Vendor Show the first week in March in New Bern, North Carolina. The opening session, "Going Green While Saving Green," put the spotlight on green purchasing, featuring presentations from RPN Director, Chris O'Brien, and others. More
RPN Director Chris O'Brien and Terrachoice Environmental Marketing VP Scot Case will be the featured speakers for a March 17 Northeast Recycling Council "Power of Purchasing" Webinar. More
The County Commissioners of Berks County, PA are pursuing green procurement initiatives that will allow them to go green without spending green to do it. More
EcoLogo is seeking public comments as it reviews its standards for Printing and Writing Paper (CCD-077) and Uncoated Mechanical Printing Paper (CCD-078). More
A new study by global management consulting firm A.T. Kearney indicates that firms with a "true commitment to sustainability" outperform industry peers in the financial markets. More
More than half of employers currently practice strategic environmental management, according to a new "Greening of HR Survey" conducted by a leading human resource consulting firm. More
Los Angeles is saving money and cutting emissions by switching its 140,000 streetlight fixtures to LED units over the next five years with help from the Clinton Climate Initiative. More
A bill has been introduced in the Minnesota House of Representatives that would require a pilot program to be implemented by paint manufacturers to recycle paint. More
Working with RPN, Clark County is shrinking its ecological footprint and saving an estimated $15,000 annually by eliminating the purchase of bottled water and water jugs by county departments and agencies. More
Looking for competitive bids on recycled office paper or green cleaners? These products are now directly linked to U.S. Communities' cost-saving cooperative contracts and searchable through our green products database. More
Our Responsible Purchasing Guides have been updated to include descriptions and downloads of the EPA's Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPG) and California's State Agency Buy Recycled Campaign (SABRC). More
Enterprise Rent-A-Car is adding about 5,000 hybrids to its nationwide fleet and designating almost 80 rental locations across the country as "hybrid branches." More
Timex isn't reverting to sundials, but the company is turning to the sun to power its Middlebury headquarters with one of the Northeast's largest ground-mounted solar arrays. More
Building managers seeking LEED certification will now be able to use Greenguard's Children and Schools standard to certify flooring and achieve credit within the LEED rating system. More
Underwriters Laboratories has launched an environmental claims verification service, UL Environment Inc., to help consumers evaluate green claims and provide manufacturers with transparency and credibility. More
The National Institute of Governmental Purchasing has adopted a resolution urging the federal government to grant state and local governments access to green products available through GSA schedules. More
RPN member Office Depot earned LEED Gold Certification from the U.S. Green Building Council for its green store prototype in Austin, Texas. More
Green Seal seeks to create a more comprehensive standard for sanitary paper products, covering facial and bathroom tissues, toilet seat covers, paper towels, napkins, paper placemats and table coverings. More
The guide now includes Paper Steps, the new hierarchy of environmentally preferable papers created by the Environmental Paper Network. More
The creator of EPEAT has teamed with EcoLogo to facilitate the certification and promotion of green electronics. More
Eleven Northeastern states are developing a regional Low Carbon Fuel Standard to reduce the carbon concentration in fuels. More
A New York State committee has drafted 18 new green procurement guidelines, covering printers, traffic cones, air conditioners and more. More
State and local governments are offering tax breaks and other incentives in a bid to encouage companies to promote telecommuting. More
A carpet company collects and recycles waste commercial carpet using nylon that can be recycled over and over. More
Missed the webinar launching the new and vastly expanded edition of our Responsible Purchasing Guide for Cleaners? You can still download the guide and webinar presentations from RPN, Green Seal, and Harvard University. More
RPN is pleased to announce the addition of Anne Maynard to our staff as RPN Membership Coordinator. Anne is here to answer all your questions about membership benefits and to help coordinate RPN events and speaking engagements. More
Electronic equipment purchasers are being asked to help develop new EPEAT standards for Imaging Equipment and TVs. More
Finding green lighting just got easier, thanks to the City of San Francisco's new "SF Approved Lighting" guide. More
EU governments have agreed to phase-out incandescent light bulbs and low-efficiency halogen bulbs by the year 2012. More
Dr. Bronner's Magic Soaps, in concert with the Organics Consumer Association, has created a 5-Star Comparison & Ranking of U.S. and European "Organic" and "Natural" Personal Care Standards to help consumers compare organic labels. More
Canadian home improvement giant, RONA, is being hailed as a "leader in forest sustainability" by Greenpeace for its new wood products procurement policy. More
RPN has partnered with ProcureCon Indirect 2009 to offer a special opportunity for RPN members. More
Portland, Oregon has adopted a sweatshop-free purchasing policy for uniforms and other public employee apparel. More
Green Seal has launched a new Laureate Program to recognize and grow the most sustainable companies in the US. More
California and Pennsylvania recently joined four other states in passing comprehensive laws enforcing the proper collection and recycling of mercury-containing thermostats. More
Thirty-five years worth of efficiency measures have saved California about $56 billion in electricity costs and created 1.5 million jobs, according to a new study. More
The Responsible Purchasing Network is seeking qualified candidates for the position of Manager. More
Minnesota saves money and protects the environment by limiting overuse of salt and corrosive chemicals on roadways. More
Visit our booth at EcoBuild Fall 2008 in Washington, DC. RPN members receive free exhibit hall passes and discount conference registration. More
Businesses, schools, and governments are struggling to curtail spending in troubled times. Through responsible purchasing strategies, cost savings, environmental benefits, and human health improvements can coexist. More
Join us Dec. 9 for this informative webinar that will provide information and recommendations on responsible use and purchasing of office cleaning products More
Through December 8th, Green Seal is seeking public comments on a proposed revised standard for reusable bags. More
Silicon Valley employees are forming green teams to push companies and peers to be greener. More
The State of New Jersey has approved an offshore wind farm and plans to triple the amount of wind power it uses by 2020. More
San Francisco Mayor Newsom has created a Mayor's Solar Founders' Circle to challenge the city's businesses to go solar within a year. More
California just became the first state in the nation to establish a comprehensive green chemistry program to reduce or eliminate hazardous chemicals in consumer products and the environment. More
California's efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions will benefit the state's economy and save residents money, according to the Air Resources Board. More
Chicago plans to implement the most aggressive plan by any major American city to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. More
The National Association of State Procurement Officials (NASPO), at its recent annual meeting, announced the launch of a joint membership program with RPN to help green state procurement agencies. More
RPN members work hard to procure goods and services that protect human health and the environment. We want to recognize this good work! More
Environmental Defense Fund has launched a new website, CarbonOffsetList.org, to help institutions and individuals identify and purchase carbon offsets linked to tangible, trusted projects. More
EPA's new ENERGY STAR @ work is an interactive, online tool that offers employees, employers, and building managers tips on how to save energy and protect the environment at work. More
Office Depot is launching a new Tech Trade-In program that offers incentives for consumers to recycle small- to medium-size electronics. More
The bottled water industry is slowing down, thanks in part to increased awareness about the ecological and economic costs of bottled water. according to the Worldwatch Institute. More
The Responsible Purchasing Guide to Bottled Water Alternatives will help your organization break the bottled water habit. Download the guide today and watch the webinar video online. More
Green Seal seeks comments on its proposed new environmental leadership standard for residential cleaning services (GS-49). More
Have a green procurement expert speak at your next event! Responsible purchasing staff and experts are available to speak on a wide variety of green purchasing issues to enhance your next conference or meeting. More
Get the most out of your RPN membership! Join us October 8 for this free webinar that will give you more information on RPN member benefits and walk you through our website. It's also a great introduction to green purchasing. More
Green Seal has published a new and updated environmental standard for industrial and institutional cleaners (GS-37) that is more protective of vulnerable populations and reflects advancements made by industry since the last update of the standar More
Success! Having published the Responsible Purchasing Guide to Wheel Weights earlier this year, we are very excited to announce that California now plans to phase out lead-wheel weights by the end of 2009, in favor of environmentally preferable alternatives made from steel or zinc alloy. More
What do you get when you combine RPN's green purchasing programs with the aggregated influence of over 87,000 buyers? A powerful new resource for finding and buying credible green products through competitively bid group contracts. More
30 U.S. cities have agreed to work with the ICLEI- Local Governments for Sustainability USA to measure their carbon footprints under the Carbon Disclosure Project. More
Both state and local governments in Minnesota are phasing out lead in wheel weights, switching to environmentally preferable alternatives. More
PulpWatch.org, a new website sponsored by the Environmental Paper Network, uses Google Maps to help paper purchasers find responsible pulp mills. More
The City of San Francisco has cut greenhouse gas emissions by 5 percent from 1990 levels and is on track to cut emissions 20 percent in four years. More
Through August 29, RPN members and readers are invited to offer comments to the EcoLogo Program of TerraChoice regarding the proposed standard for area rugs. More
Bottled water is expensive and resource intensive. Tap water is safe, inexpensive, and readily available. Register today for this free August 26 webinar to learn more. More
The State of Minnesota increased its supply of both greenbacks and green paper when it converted a substantial portion of its copy paper to 100% post-consumer waste (PCW) paper. More
RPN’s new Responsible Purchasing Guide for Copy Paper will show you how to cost-effectively purchase green copy paper. View the Guide and download presentations and video from our July 22 webinar. More
The City of Portland, OR has adopted a sustainable procurement policy mandating that city employees incorporate environmental stewardship, social equity, community and fiscal responsibility when procuring materials, products or services. More
In a yearlong experiment aimed at reducing the state's energy costs, Utah is set to become the first state to switch to a four-day workweek for thousands of government employees. More
Toyota plans to install solar panels on the roof of the third generation Prius cars early next year to power the cars' air conditioning units. More
In early July, a group of major Mexican universities gathered in Mexico City for a day-long kick-off of the Responsible Purchasing Network’s Mexico program. More
With RPN's assistance, the State of Wisconsin and City of Cambridge, MA recently concluded significant purchases of green power, buying 90,000 MWh wind power and 10,000 MWh in renewable energy credits, respectively. More
The EcoMarkets 2008 Report covers the social and environmental attitudes and practices of North American institutional buyers. Download the free report from our website. More
The online version of the Responsible Purchasing Guide for Cleaners new features a Pollution Prevention Calculator to help you clean green. More
Building owners in New York City who install green rooftops will now receive a significant tax credit under a bill passed by the New York state legislature. More
Green Seal is seeking comments from the public on new standards for Stains and Finishes. More
Washington DC area governments are banding together to share procurement strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions through New American Dream’s Carbon Conscious Communities (C3) initiative. More
Remanufactured toner cartridges are a simple and cost effective way to conserve energy and natural resources. RPN’s new Responsible Purchasing Guide for Toner Cartridges is now available, as well as downloadable presentations from the recent toner c More
Copy paper is one of the first products selected by green purchasers - and for good reason! Producing paper consumes trees, water, and energy and creates hazardous waste and greenhouse gas emissions. Sign up now for this July 22 webinar on green More
NRDC is urging support for a proposed U.S. Conference of Mayors energy resolution to create lifecycle fuels emissions analyses concerning the production of synthetic fuels such as tar sands, liquid coal and oil shale. More
Seattle's Mayor Nickels is promoting a “drink up” campaign to get city residents to turn from environmentally damaging bottled water to tap. More
Green Seal has issued the Environmental Standard for Paints and Coatings (GS-11) Second Edition. This standard establishes environmental requirements for paints and coatings. More
Attend the Southwest Greening Government Conference July 25, 2008 in Flagstaff, Arizona to discuss strategies and challenges for the implementation of green practices into the business of government. Registration deadline is June 15th More
Register by July 17 to obtain free bottled water resources and apply for pro bono assistance from RPN to help you reduce waste, save money and conserve water by eliminating or reducing unnecessary bottled water purchases. More
Through June 16, RPN members and readers are invited to offer comments and feedback to TerraChoice regarding the prospect of harmonizing their EcoLogo certification criteria for hard surface cleaners with proposed revisions of the Green Seal standard cove More
RPN director Chris O'Brien was interviewed recently for a "Seeing Green In More Ways Than One" feature on the Dell Small Business 360 site. The article is full of tips on how businesses can make simple changes that will save money and help t More
New York Governor Paterson recently signed an Executive Order establishing a New York State "Green Procurement and Agency Sustainability Program," to promote green purchasing by state government agencies. More
RPN is partnering with the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC) to launch a Responsible Purchasing extern program in Mexico. More
RPN invites you to kick the bottled water habit. Learn how to reduce waste, save money and conserve water by eliminating or reducing unnecessary bottled water purchases. More
RPN has selected six government agencies to work with in 2008 to help them use procurement strategies to reduce greenhouse gas emissions within their communities. More
Use two new online calculators to add up the benefits of greening your office computers. Click through to the web-based edition of our Responsible Purchasing Guide for Computers and download the EPEAT and ENERGY STAR calculators. More
Green Technology Magazine recently featured the City of San Jose’s pioneering use of EPEAT as a tool for greening their electronics purchasing. More
Green Seal is initiating the development of a new standard for Residential Cleaning Services and inviting stakeholders to participate in the development of this standard. More
Join us May 28th from 2-3 pm EDT for a free webcast presenting the highlights of EcoMarkets 2008, our annual report on the social and environmental attitudes and practices of North American institutional buyers. More
The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) has released the next draft of its rating system for sustainability in higher education called STARS (Sustainability Tracking, Assessment and Rating System). More
HP’s entire line of personal workstation computers has achieved a Gold Electronic Products Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) rating--a first for personal workstations. More
A new report from Air Quality Sciences Inc. (AQS) looks at contaminants emitted from electronic office equipment and the health impacts associated with such emissions. More
An updated Responsible Purchasing Guide for Lighting includes the Departmet of Energy's revised standards and expanded categories for ENERGY STAR compact fluorescent lightbulbs (CFLs). More
A new edition of the popular “50 Simple Things You Can Do to Save the Earth” book has been published, with a section on institutional purchasing spotlighting the Responsible Purchasing Network as a key resource. More
Ten California city and county governments, including five RPN members, have joined together to form Green Cities California (GCG) to accelerate local, regional, national and international sustainability efforts. More
RPN members can now download the product listings from RPN Purchasing Guides in Excel format from the RPN website. More
Xerox has launched an online sustainability calculator designed to help offices measure the environmental impact of their printers and copiers. More
The National Institute of Governmental Purchasing (NIGP) has created a new “Green Knowledge Community” to promote info on environmentally preferable products and promote social and economic responsibility in public procurement. More
A study by RPN member, the Commission for Environmental Cooperation (CEC), says green building design and operation represents the cheapest and most effective way to cut North American greenhouse gas emissions. More
The Hybrid Electric Vehicle Calculator is now updated with 2008 model year vehicles and new emissions factors. Use it to compare operating costs and emissions of hybrid and conventional vehicles. More
RPN member Plano, Texas, is rolling out a new Environmental Purchasing Policy (EPP) to purchase and use materials, products and services that are economically responsible and reduce resource consumption and waste. More
RPN member Yale University has developed a set of Sustainable Event Guidelines to help campus event organizers reduce the environmental impact of gatherings they host. More
Cornell University has joined Tompkins County, the City of Ithaca and five other educational institutions and governmental agencies to form the Finger Lakes Environmentally Preferred Procurement Consortium. More
New York City’s newer hybrid buses are cheaper to operate, costing 40 percent less to maintain and 24 percent less to operate than previous hybrids. More
Green-e Climate is ready to begin certification of greenhouse gas emission reduction products for the purpose of providing carbon offsets to the public. More
Students at Ohio State University are pressuring the university to commit to a sustainable purchasing policy. More
Office supply giant Staples has severed all contracts with Asia Pulp & Paper out of concern for APP's Indonesian logging. More
RPN’s team of staff and consultants is available to develop creative, outcome-oriented strategies to help clients improve their bottom line while meeting sustainability goals. Learn more about the services we provide to help your organization become More
The US Environmental Protection Agency has issued a request for proposals for its Pollution Prevention Information Network (PPIN) Grants Program. More
The state of California is aiming to reduce the prevalence of toxic chemicals used in consumer products. More
NYC and Seattle/King County are adding hybrids vehicles and using plug-in technology to boost their hybrid fleets. More
Intel to buy more than 1.3 billion kilowatt hours a year of renewable energy certificates, thus becoming the largest corporate purchaser of green power in the U.S. More
An MSNBC article advises potential buyers to beware when checking out green claims. The author warns: “If green More
In only its first year of existence, the Responsible Purchasing Network has passed the 100 member mark! Since our launch in early 2007, RPN has grown impressively. Today, we are proud to count among our members prominent educational institutions suc More
Most Americans believe local efforts to be environmentally responsible will pay dividends for their communities by attracting new businesses and development, creating “green collar jobs” and boosting the local economy, according to a new Unite More
This year’s Super Bowl in Glendale, Arizona, will be the first ever powered completely with gren power by using solar, wind and geo-thermal energy to offset the greenhouse gas emissions. More
RPN’s Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) video is now available for download or viewing online. More
RPN is offering pro bono assistance to five members committed to green purchasing in order to cut waste and emissions and improve community health. URGENT: Monday, March 10 application deadline! More
Greenseal, the not-for-profit, independent certification and standard development body, is issuing a call for stakeholders as it revises its reusable bag standards and develops new standards for plastic resin film bags. Green Seal develops standards for a More
Green Seal, the not-for-profit, independent certification and standard development body, has announced that it is extending by two weeks the public comment period for its Proposed Revised Standard for Industrial and Institutional Cleaners, GS-37. More
The Green Procurement Exposition & Conference – Midwest will be held June 4 & 5 at the Navy Pier in Chicago. The conference brings together experts and practitioners in the areas of procurement, purchasing, supply, and environmentally More
Toyota President Katsuaki Watanabe announced that the company plans to offer a hybrid model in every vehicle series and continue its development of PHEVs and cellulosic ethanol. More
An interim ruling directs federal agencies to use the Electronic Products Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) to procure computer products while a final rule is being formulated. The effective date for the interim ruling is December 26, 2007. More
The Office of Federal Procurement Policy (OFPP),is proposing to issue a policy letter on green procurement policies and strategies. More
President Bush signed the Energy Independence and Security Act into law this week. It will phase out incandescent light bulbs in the next four to 12 years in favor of compact fluorescents, halogens, and LEDs. More
RPN is happy to announce we have made considerable updates to the product listings for several Responsible Purchasing Guides. These changes include new search criteria, updated listings, expanded EPEAT and Energy Star information, and for the Fleet Guide; More
Draft guidelines for the Green Cleaning Schools Act are now available for comment. The Healthy Schools Campaign and its allies successfully advocated for the Gr More
When Joining RPN or renewing RPN membership, members will now receive The Competitive Advantage: EcoPurchasing by Sandra Cannon. This book is a persuasive primer on environmentally preferable purchasing. More
The Center for a New American Dream is excited to announce a new partnership with the Coin Laundry Association, the national trade organization servicing the coin-operated Laundromat industry. More
SweatFree Communities conducted an initial survey of purchasing officials responsible for implementing sweat-free procurement policies. The survey, drafted in cooperation with RPN, exp More
AASHE's draft Sustainability Tracking, Assessment, and Rating System (STARS) 0.4 includes 8 possible credits for environmentally preferable purchasing. Universities may earn the first of those credits by adopting an environmentally preferable pur More
The Southeast Pennsylvania Transportation Authority (SEPTA) Board approved the purchase of 400 new diesel-electric hybrid buses. Adding the new buses will make SEPTA one of the largest public transit hybrid bus fleets in the country. More
RPN members, the City of Seattle, King County, and other local Washington agencies will participate in a yearlong demonstration project testing the performance of plug-in hybrid electric vehicles in an urban area. More
Green Seal’s GS-37: Environmental Standard for Industrial and Institutional Cleaners is being revised and available for public review, a key step to involve all stakeholders in the development process. More
Are you confused about environmental standards for cleaning products? Want to know how the new More
Green Seal is inviting stakeholders to submit suggestions and comments on the proposed revisions of GS-5, its environmental standard for compact fluorescent lights. More
The cleaning industry launched a Climate Initiative last week that will create awareness and help companies to voluntarily measure, reduce and offset their emissions. More
The U.S. House of Representatives, with the help of RPN, is taking a step to significantly cut its energy consumption and save forest resources by switching from copy paper made from virgin wood to 100% post-consumer waste recycled paper. More
On October 23, 2007, Governor Edward B. Rendell announced that Pennsylvania is now purchasing enough green power to cover nearly 30 percent of the electricity needed for government operations. This exceeds the Commonwealth's goal of 20 percent green p More
RPN has released the Responsible Purchasing Guide: Fluorescent Lighting. The Guide provides tips and tools for developing a socially and environmentally preferable lighting program. Click More
RPN Steering Committee members, staff, and allies from all over the continent gathered on October 31 in Worcester, MA for the North American Green Purchasing Initiative's (NAGPI) 5th Annual Summit. More
Massachusetts' Annual EPP Vendor Fair and Conference brought together over 1,300 federal, state and local procurement officials, RPN staff, fleet and facility managers More
The Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) is developing a new system that will rate the sustainability of U.S. colleges and universities. The program will allow these institutions to assess and compare their pr More
The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recently refreshed the computers at 450 airports where the agency has offices. TSA purchased EPEAT Silver rated PCs. The computers meet the energy efficiency provisions of President Bush’s January 200 More
Join us for a national webcast on November 5, 2007, 2:00-3:30pm Eastern Time to learn how to purchase energy efficient and less-toxic lighting equipment that saves money, reduces environmental impacts, and improves c More
Americans bought a total of 8.3 million gallons of bottled water in 2006, much of which was sold in single-serving bottles and multi-gallon water cooler bottles. More
Do you have questions about remanufactured toner cartridges? RPN is partnering with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the International Imaging Technologies Council to host a question and answer session. More
As part of its commitment to green power, the Center for a New American Dream, RPN's parent organization, has been recognized by the Clean Energy Rewards Program of Montgomery County, Maryland. The Renewable Energy Certificates (RECs) purchased by New More
Wal-Mart Stores announced it has surpassed its goal to sell 100 million compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) by the end of 2007. The resultant carbon savings are equal to taking 700,000 cars off the road. More
The City of San Jose, CA, an RPN Member and the 10th largest city in the U.S., has just released an ambitious new policy for greening its vehicle fleet. The policy cover More
The Quantity Quotes program provides an online forum for vendors and purchasers of ENERGY STAR registered products to conduct business. Currently, 110 vendors and over 600 organizations have registered for Quantity Quotes. More
MetroPaint, from Portland, Oregon, has become the first recycled-content latex paint certified under Green Seal's GS-43 standard. More
The University of Alberta has implemented a campus-wide green cleaning program called "Cleaning for a Healthy U." Its goal is to reduce volatile organic compounds (VOCs) and airborne particulates. More
The Quad-Core Opteron processor was recently unveiled by Advanced Micro Devices. The new chip is designed to be more energy efficient; More
A new policy passed by the Los Angeles County Purchasing Department establishes a range of objectives for purchasing recycled content and remanufactured products, energy and water conserving equipment, low-impact landscaping, and bio-based products. The p More
Congratulations to Oberlin College and Yale University. These RPN members were listed among the top 15 Greenest Colleges and Universities by Grist More
On August 21, RPN hosted a national webcast on greenhouse gas management by fleets. Presentations covered ways in which fuel economy, fleet management, and procurement can reduce emissions, improve energy security, and save money. More
RPN program manager Matt Kittell presented on copy paper certifications at the Harvard Sustainability Roundtable on August 10. To view his PowerPoint presentation and other presentations, visit the More
A new survey focused on company practices, policies, and plans for reducing environmental impacts associated with operations, reveals a green procurement trend. Conducted by EyeForProcurement, the study revealed that 50% of companies are employing policie More
Ford and U-Haul are putting on the road the industry's first fleet of vehicles painted with Ford's environmentally responsible new technology, which reduces greenhouse gases by 15 percent and volatile organic compounds (VOCs) by about 10 perc More
Xerox launched a business paper made with fewer chemicals and energy and half as many trees. Though the paper is cheaper and greener, the lower quality may deter purchasers looking for sturdier papers. More
A study by the Queensland University of Technology measured particulate emissions from office printers and found that 27 percent of the sample printers emitted high levels of particulates. The study found that emissions are printer-type specific and are a More
The revision of GS-37 for institutional green cleaners is in the scoping phase and a revised GS-08 standard for household cleaners is now available. Visit the Responsible Purchasing More
GS-11 and GC-3—Green Seal's Environmental Standards for Paints and Anticorrosive Paints, respectively—are currently undergoing revision. As part of the revision process, Green Seal will consolidate GC-3 into GS-11. More
Harvard University’s Green Campus Initiative (HGCI) extended its program in 2004 to include a campus-wide green cleaning initiative. The university has partnered with Green Seal, Inc. to train custodial employees per the guidelines in GS-42, Green S More
The Responsible Purchasing Network (RPN) is proud to release the Responsible Purchasing Guide for Office Electronics. This document provides comprehensive, leading-edge guidance on the responsible purchase, use, and dispos More
Electric Power Research Institute (EPRI) and the Natural Resources Defense Council (NRDC) just released a comprehensive report on plug-in hybrid electric vehicles (PHEVs). More
On July 17, the Green Electronics Council (GEC) released a report measuring the environmental benefits from sales of EPEAT registered computers. The report finds impressive environmental benefits from EPEAT computers compared to conventional machines. More
Responsible Purchasing Network's Purchasing Guides for cleaners, computers, office electronics, and paint now contain information on how to identify products that gain LEED credits for a variety of projects. More
Printers, copiers, faxes, and multifunction machines are integral parts of modern offices. On July 24, 2007, RPN hosted the WEBCAST: Purchasing Responsible Office Electronics. More
The University of Florida issued a Sustainable Purchasing Directive aimed at supporting campus sustainability through procurement of products with minimal environmental and social impact. More
The U.S. Conference of Mayors just released a survey highlighting proactive steps U.S. mayors are taking to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. The 130 cities surveyed are pursuing a multitude of actions aimed at conserving energy, using energy more ef More
Energy performance requirements within LEED green building rating system increase by 14% as part of U.S. Green Building Council’s eight point Climate Change Agenda. All newly registered LEED certified projects must now... More
San Francisco’s Mayor Gavin Newsom issued an executive order prohibiting city departments and agencies from buying bottled water. Data show that 40 million gallons of oil are needed to make the plastic water bottles Americans purchase each year. In More
The Center for Resource Solutions announced today that Renewable Energy Credits (RECs) offered by Shell Trading (Coral Energy Holding L.P.) are now Green-e certified. Shell Trading joins the network of renewable energy providers who offer products certifi More
The City of Las Vegas, Nevada has reduced NOx emissions from its diesel-powered fleet vehicles by eighteen percent through continued use of an advanced fuel additive. More
The Green Cleaning Network, Healthy Schools Campaign and American School & University (AS&U) magazine recently launched the Green Cleaning Award for Schools and Universities that will recognize exemplary green cleaning programs in educational inst More
RPN Extern host, Citizens’ Environmental Coalition (CEC), published a guide to help consumers weigh various environmental and health concerns when it comes to planning, building, renovating, and redecorating homes. More
The City of Portland, Oregon, a member of RPN and longtime environmental leader, released case studies that demonstrate the feasibility and cost-effectiveness of responsible purchasing. More
With assistance from RPN and Think Energy, the State of Wisconsin is soliciting bids for up to 180,000 MWh of renewable electricity on a 10-year contract. More
The Green Electronics Council, a recent RPN Extern recipient, and Hewlett-Packard announced that the HP rp5700 Business Desktop PC is the first product to meet the stringent requirements that comprise the “gold” status of the Electronic Produc More
RPN and TerraChoice hosted a May 28th webcast presenting highlights of EcoMarkets 2008, our annual report on the social and environmental attitudes and practices of North American institutional buyers. Click on the "more" link to More
Mayor Bloomberg announced new emissions and mileage standards for yellow taxicabs that will lead to a fully hybrid fleet by 2012. More
Boston - Staples, Inc. today became the first major retailer to collect used electronics from its customers. The announcement came three years after a trial effort showed that items such as computers could be easily recycled at low cost to consumers and r More
Building on its leadership, King County, Washington announced a new contract for the purchase of up to 500 new articulated hybrid buses. More
Children, teachers, and school staff in Illinois will soon breathe a little easier during the school day. With a 52-5 vote in the Senate today, Illinois became the second state to enact legislation requiring green cleaning in schools. More
Three RPN members have been chosen to host RPN-funded Responsible Purchasing Externs. Visit our job listings to read about the positions and learn how to apply. More
The Responsible Purchasing Network (RPN) launches the Responsible Purchasing Guide for Paint. The Guide will be available on the web, as a PDF, and in print, and includes: an overview of the environmental and social impacts of paint; rec More
On April 30th, PepsiCo announced that the company will purchase over one billion kilowatt hours of renewable electricity each year for the next three years. This purchase will cover 100 percent of the electricity consumed by PepsiCo US-based manufacturing More
A recent study published by an atmospheric scientist at Stanford University used a sophisticated computer model to predict the air quality impacts of ethanol-fueled vehicles. The Stanford study concluded that ethanol poses a significant public health thre More
Green Seal, Inc. announced plans to revise its independent environmental standards for GS-11 Architectural Coatings (Paints) and GS-03 Anti-Corrosive Paints and has called for comments on relevant issues to consider. As planned, the revision will inc More
On March 22, 2007, the President of the University of California System issued an updated policy on sustainable practices and purchasing. The new policy covers Building Renovations, Climate Protection Practices, Sustainable Operations, Recycling and Waste More
Roche announced today that the number of hybrid vehicles in its pharmaceutical sales fleet has expanded to a total of 242 vehicles as of the end of 2006. More
The Responsible Purchasing Network (RPN), at the Center for a New American Dream, launched the Beta version of ResponsiblePurchasing.org today in response to a growing demand for information on purchasing goods and services w More
On January 24th, 2007, President George W. Bush signed Executive Order 13423, “Strengthening Federal Environmental, Energy, and Transportation Management.” The order sets goals in the areas of energy efficiency, acquisition, renewable energy, More
Worldwatch reported that China's Ministry of Finance and State Environmental Protection Administration (SEPA) have announced that starting in 2007 the nation’s central and provincial governments will prioritize purchasing green products and serv More
Wal-Mart has announced an ambitious campaign to sell 100 million compact fluorescent light bulbs (CFLs) at its Wal-Mart and Sam's Club locations by the end of 2007. As reported on GreenBiz.com, the plan includes interactive displays, an online savings More
America could save nearly one billion gallons of fuel annually by adopting new aerodynamic technologies on tractor- trailer trucks, according to a two-year collaborative study conducted by four members of the Truck Manufacturers Association (TMA) and the More
Responsible purchasing gains momentum as the National Institute of Governmental Purchasing, Inc. passes resolution encouraging “socially responsible” procurement. More
The Federal Biobased Products Preferred Procurement Program, dubbed "BioPreferred" as part of an effort to educate federal purchasers is quickly gaining momentum. The U.S. Agriculture Department (USDA) has designated 10 more product categories, More
