Responsible Purchasing Webinars
Webinar videos and presentations that are available to RPN members only are designated by 
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Coming Soon!Office Supplies Green Lighting On-Site Renewables ... and many more! |
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RPN Webinar: Green Purchasing 101 and New/Prospective Member Orientation - January 19, 2012
Whether you are already an RPN member or simply made a New Year’s resolution to purchase more environmentally responsible products for your organization, please check out RPN's Orientation Webinar and introduction to sustainable purchasing. This webinar covered:
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RPN Webinar: Purchasing for Water Efficiency - November 8, 2011
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The webinar featured:
- Tara O'Hare, Implementation and Recruiting Lead for WaterSense Program, US EPA
- Cinnamon Black, Water Conservation Specialist, Public Utilities, Raleigh, NC
- Shirli Axelrod, Senior Environmental Analyst, Seattle Public Utilities
- Al Dietemann, Conservation Leader, City of Seattle, WA
- Phillip Kobernick, Manager, Responsible Purchasing Network
RPN Members and organizations within EPA Regions 1, 4, 7, and 9 (see table below) can watch or download the presentation slides and recording. Please email RPN Manager, Phillip Kobernick to access the webinar recording if you do not already have an RPN login. Non-members may access the presentation slides only.
RPN Members and Organizations in EPA Regions (1, 4, 7, and 9): 
Watch Online or Download Slides/Video
Non-Members: Download Slides Only
Click here for additional answers to questions not covered during the webinar for timing reasons.
REGION 1: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Vermont, New Hampshire
REGION 4: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee
REGION 7; Nebraska, Kansas, Missouri, Iowa
REGION 9: Alaska, California, Hawai’i, Nevada
This webinar was offered as part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Regional Pollution Prevention Program Offices' Source Reduction Assistance Grant Program. Please visit responsiblepurchasing.org/buildings for more information or to apply for project assistance.
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RPN Webinar: Green Purchasing for Existing Buildings - September 29, 2011
Existing buildings are a major contributor to Americans’ environmental impact. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in addition to producing 18 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, existing commercial buildings in the public and private sector:
- Consume almost 40 percent of all electricity.
- Use at least 850 million gallons of water a day.
- Can harbor dangerous chemicals that contribute to poor indoor-air quality.
However, with procurement choices and smart operations, building owners and occupants can dramatically improve their environmental footprint.
The webinar covered:
- An introduction to green purchasing
- A review of the environmental impacts of products commonly purchased for the maintenance of existing buildings
- An overview of how to identify greener alternatives for paint, janitorial products, lighting, and other product categories and how greener choices can help increase energy efficiency, reduce waste, improve indoor air quality, and in many cases, produce cost savings.
- “Green-washing” and how to avoid misleading product claims
- The third-party standards and “eco-labels” that exist to help purchasers make greener choices
- How to incorporate environmental criteria into bid specifications and RFPs
- LEED EBOM
The webinar featured:
- Alicia Culver, Director, Responsible Purchasing Network
- Marcus Rivas, Environmental Engineer, Environmental Protection Agency
- Phillip Kobernick, Manager, Responsible Purchasing Network (as moderator)
RPN may be able to provide additional technical assistance to webinar participants in the Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest (EPA Regions 1, 4, and 7) who are working on results-oriented green purchasing projects for existing buildings. Please visit responsiblepurchasing.org/buildings for more information.
This webinar was offered as part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Regional Pollution Prevention Program Offices' Source Reduction Assistance Grant Program.
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RPN Webinar: Cutting-edge Eco-labels - UL Environment - June 17, 2011
Let the Responsible Purchasing Network help you stay on top of the latest developments with Underwriters Laboratories Environment (ULE). During this Webinar, participants learned more about the most extensive and fastest growing certification organization and how it can help purchasers find products with meaningful environmental attributes.
The Webinar covered:
- Overview of the UL Environment program
- ULE’s recent acquisitions of EcoLogo and GREENGUARD programs
- What to expect in the future from ULE
The Webinar featured:
- Scot Case, Director, Markets Development, UL Environment, Inc.
- Phillip Kobernick, Manager, RPN (as moderator)
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RPN - SBC Webinar: Compostable Service Ware - May 12, 2011
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, and explained how to conduct product performance testing. It will provided detailed purchasing specifications, useful resources, and successful case studies. Compostable food service ware includes biobased bowls, cups, plates, clamshells, and cutlery.
The Webinar covered:
- An introduction to compostable biobased food service ware
- An overview of the importance of sustainable biomass feedstocks, toxic-free additives, and compostability
- A description of recently created purchasing specifications (BioSpecs) for this product category
- A summary of important certifications and other useful resources for purchasers
- How to prepare for and conduct product performance testing for your organizations' needs
- Successful case studies from public and private sector organizations
Speakers included:
- Brenda Platt, SBC (www.sustainablebiomaterials.org)
- Alicia Culver, RPN (www.responsiblepurchasing.org)
- Susan Kinsella, Conservatree (www.conservatree.org) and RPN
RPN and SBC are looking for partners to pilot test its new BioSpecs for Purchasers. For more information, please email RPN.
RPN Members can watch or download the presentation slides and recording.
RPN Members: Watch Online or Download Slides/Video
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RPN Webinar: Sustainable Purchasing for Higher Education - May 4, 2011
The Webinar covered helpful resources that are available for purchasers from AASHE and RPN, how to track your sustainability progress with the Sustainability Tracking and Rating System (STARS), and also featured guest speakers from two successful programs.
Speakers included:
- Meghan Fay Zahniser, STARS Program Manager, AASHE
- Phillip Kobernick, Manager, RPN
- Chris O'Brien, Director of Sustainability, American University
- Laurie Cousart, Director of Sustainability, and Colleen Reardon, Strategic Sourcing Manager, the University of Pennsylvania
RPN Members can watch or download the presentation slides and recording.
RPN Members: Watch Online or Download Slides/Video
For more information:
RPN - http://www.responsiblepurchasing.org/
AASHE - http://www.aashe.org/
University of Pennsylvania - www.upenn.edu/sustainability
American University - www.american.edu/finance/sustainability/
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RPN Webinar: National Healthy Schools Day - April 13, 2011
In this Webinar, Alicia Culver, Director of the Responsible Purchasing Network, helped schools learn how to spot false “green” marketing claims (“greenwashing”) and procure products that have substantiated environmental benefits. She also gave examples of schools that have reduced chemical exposures and saved money by pilot testing – and ultimately purchasing – certified “green” cleaning products and asthma-safe disinfectants. In addition, Virginia Hyatt, Purchasing Director of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District described steps it has taken to improve the environmental sustainability of the districts' facilities.
The Webinar featured:
- Alicia Culver, Director, the Responsible Purchasing Network
- Virginia Hyatt, Purchasing Director and Sustainability Coordinator, Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District
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RPN Webinar: New and Prospective Member Orientation and Sustainable Purchasing 101 - January 19, 2011
Whether you are a new RPN member, or someone who is wondering how to purchase more green products for your organization, please join the Responsible Purchasing Network (RPN) for our Orientation Webinar.
We will be discussing all of the green procurement resources available to RPN members and some basic strategies to get you started such as creating an environmentally preferable purchasing (EPP) policy and how to prioritize green products.
This webinar covered:
- Strategies for those getting started in green purchasing including how to recognize and utilize standards and certifications (also called "eco-labels")
- RPN resources available to members
- Membership and RPN website overview
- How to stay in touch with RPN
The webinar featured:
- Alicia Culver, RPN Director
- Phillip Kobernick, RPN Manager
- Christina Hug, RPN Marketing Manager
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Purchasing for Climate Protection, featuring Carbonfund.org - December 10, 2010
Procurement practices often have global implications. Nowhere is this clearer than in measuring and reducing the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the products we buy.
This webinar recording will help purchasing agents and policy-makers who are seeking to reduce their organization’s carbon footprint as well as their budget.
The Webinar covered:
- Steps to meeting organizational climate protection goals through adoption of purchasing policies, and product categories that will help you get there faster.
- How the new CarbonFree eco-label was developed and how it can be referred to when purchasing products for government agencies and businesses.
Speakers:
- Alicia Culver, Responsible Purchasing Network
- Dare Wenzler, Carbonfund.org
- Phillip Kobernick, Responsible Purchasing Network (moderator)
RPN Members can watch download the presentation slides and recording.
RPN Members: Watch Online or Download Slides/Video
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2010 Responsible Purchasing Report - NASPO Edition - September 15, 2010
The Webinar accompanies the release of the 2010 Responsible Purchasing Report for NASPO. Watch the webinar to learn how state purchasers are spending at least $3-6.9 billion on responsible products and services every year.
The Webinar covered:
- Results from the 2010 Green Purchasing Survey, including annual spending on green goods, policies, product prioritization, tracking and reporting, and more.
- RPN publications such as Responsible Purchasing Guides, calculators, the Model Responsible Purchasing Report and other resources and tips to assist environmentally preferable purchasing.
Webinar speakers included:
- Christine Warnock, Chief Procurement Officer from the State of Washington
- John Utterback, State Purchasing Director from the State of Colorado
- Alicia Culver, Responsible Purchasing Network
- Phillip Kobernick, Responsible Purchasing Network
Results from the 2010 Green Purchasing Survey have been developed into the "2010 Responsible Purchasing Trends Report - NASPO Edition," available to NASPO-RPN members here.
RPN Members have access to the entire Webinar recording.
RPN Members: Download Slides/Video
The 2010 Responsible Purchasing Report, which surveyed the sustainable purchasing among all RPN members is available here to RPN members and non-members for free.
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ENERGY STAR Product Certifications Changes Q&A - May 6, 2010
Download now: Entire recording (WMV) Just slides
ENERGY STAR, an eco-label run collaboratively by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), which certifies energy-efficient products, is widely recognized and used, according to a 2009 RPN Trends Report. Any changes in this cornerstone eco-label are of interest to those looking to make more energy-efficient purchases.
This Webinar covered:
Speakers included:
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Tracking and Reporting Responsible Purchasing - March 11, 2010
According to the 2009 RPN Trends Report, less than a quarter of RPN Members publish a Responsible Purchasing Report. RPN advises its members to publish reports at least annually in order to communicate program successes.
This Webinar covered:
- The RPN Model Responsible Purchasing Report
- How to track purchases
- How to calculate costs and environmental benefits
- How to convey environmental and social benefits in a report
Speakers included:
- Vincent Kitira, RPN Manager, to give details on the RPN Model Report and give an introduction on how to track purchases
- Eric Nelson, King County Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) Program Manager, to discuss their award-winning EPP program and exemplary Annual EPP Reports
- Sandra Cannon, U.S. Department of Energy EPP Program, will explain EPP tracking methods
- Donna Chralowicz, City of San Diego Recycling Specialist, to discuss the work that goes into their EPP Program's Annual Report
Non-members can download the Webinar presentation slides only.
Download Slides
RPN Members have access to the entire Webinar recording, including presentation slides.
RPN Members: View Online or Download Slides/Video
RPN New and Prospective Member Orientation- January 21, 2010
Slides from the January 21 Responsible Purchasing Webinar: New and Prospective Member Orientation are now available for download. The webinar featured the following speakers:
Jonathan Cohen; Director of Workplace Programs, Center for a New American Dream Vincent Kitira; RPN Manager
Phillip Kobernick; RPN Fellow
The slides highlight the benefits of RPN membership, including:
- Responsible Purchasing Guides
- Product listings and cooperative contracts
- Consulting opportunities
- Publications and fact sheets
- RPN communications
- Speaking Engagements
- RPN membership networking
- Job and event listings
Computers and Office Electronics - November 19, 2009
This webinar covered new developments in the world of greener office electronics and computers. The webinar accompanied the release of the updates to two Responsible Purchasing Guides, Office Electronics and Computers.
The webinar speakers consisted of:- Vincent Kitira, RPN Manager
- Sarah O'Brien, EPEAT Outreach Director
- Una Song, ENERGY STAR Program Manager
- Alison Waske, Sustainability Manager, Warner, Norcross, and Judd LLP
- Sharon Clanton, State of Illinois, Department of Children and Family Services
Bottled Water, University Edition - October 29, 2009
Click here to access the presentation slides
This Guide provides schools with all the resources they need to eliminate bottled water and transition to municipal tap water with bottled water alternatives such as filters, fountains, bottle-less coolers and reusable containers. The Guide also contains an extensive list of school’s that have expelled bottled water from their campuses and several policy samples.
The webinar speakers consisted of:- Phillip Kobernick: RPN Fellow
- Meghan Fay, Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS)
- David Jacks, The Canadian Federation of Students (CFS)
- John Stewart, Corporate Accountability International
Cooperative Contracts: September 17, 2009
This Webinar focused on the power of cooperative contracts and group purchasing consortia to lower transaction costs, aggregate purchasing power and shift the marketplace toward environmentally preferable products.
The Webinar speakers consisted of:- Phillip Kobernick: RPN Fellow
- Paula Levin: The Delta Institute
- Mary Pelfrey: U.S. Communities
LED Lighting: August 19, 2009
This webinar focused on LED Lights where participants learned how to: write and evaluate bid specifications for the most energy efficient LED products available , calculate cost and energy savings of LED products, recognize prevalent and reliable LED standards, understand the benefits and costs of different LED projects, and message your successes to stakeholders. Presentations include:
- Responsible Purchasing Guide: RPN Purchasing Guide For LEDs: Exit Signs, Street Lights, and Traffic Signals - Vincent Kitira, RPN
- LED Exit Signs and Street Lights- Alicia Culver, Green Purchasing Institute
- Case Study: San Jose, CA LED Street Lighting- Amy Olay, City of San Jose
Carbon Offsets: July 29, 2009
This webinar informs people why carbon offsets can be an important part of an institutional climate action plan and cover topics such as: evaluate and source different carbon offset providers, recognize prevalent and reliable carbon offset standards, understand the cost and supply of different offset projects, specify services needed from carbon offset providers, and message carbon mitigation strategies. Presentations include:
- Best Practices for Purchasing Carbon Offsets: Paul Burman - Carbonfund.org, Christina Moretti - RPN
- Carbon Offsets and Climate Legislation: Eric Carlson - Carbonfund.org
- Climate Action Reserve: Joel Levin - Climate Action Reserve
- Climate, Community and Biodiversity Standard: Steve Panfil - ClimateStandards.org
- Virgin America Case Study: Dave Pflieger - VirginAmerica
Food Services: May 27, 2009
This webinar offers a cornucopia of strategies and resources for establishing an institutional green dining program, reducing waste, and sourcing local and sustainable food.Presentations include:
- Michel Wetli, General Manager and Peggy Barlett, Goodrich C White Professor of Anthropology - Emory University’s Sustainable Dining Program Case Study
- Cheryl Baldwin, Vice President of Science and Standards - Green Seal’s Standards for Food Services, Food Packaging, and Paper Products used in Food Preparation
- Meghan Fay, STARS Program Manager - AASHE’s STARS program for Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System (STARS)
Responsible Purchasing Trends and Pioneers 2009: May 12, 2009
This webinar featured the findings from the RPN 2009 Responsible Purchasing Trends Report and best practices and case studies by four of the country’s leading responsible purchasing pioneers. Presentations include:
- Creating cutting edge sustainable procurement policy - Jeff Baer, Director, Bureau of Purchases, City of Portland Oregon
- The Devil’s in the Details: Researching Product Specifications - Alicia Culver, Principal, Green Purchasing Institute
- Partnering with Suppliers – Yalmaz Siddiqui, Director of Environmental Strategy, Office Depot
- Communicating Progress with an Annual Report - Eric Nelson and Karen Hamilton, King County EPP Program
Cleaners: December 9, 2008
This webinar provided up to date information and recommendations on responsible use and purchasing of office cleaning products and will feature relevant case studies. Presentations include:
- Green Seal and Green Cleaning Standards - Mark T. Petruzzi, Green Seal
- Responsible Purchasing Guide to Cleaners - Christina Moretti, RPN
- Green Cleaning Program - University Operation Services, Harvard University
Think Outside the Bottle: August 26, 2008
This webinar teaches the environmental impacts of bottled water and the responsible strategies that institutions can use to reduce and replace bottled water procurement with case studies from organizations that have eliminated bottled water procurement and made the switch to bottle-free alternatives. Presentations include:
- The Social and Environmental Impacts of Bottled Water - Mark Hays, Corporate Accountability International
- Bottle-less Water Coolers- Nancy Read and Nelson Nieves, Museum of Modern Art, New York City
- San Francisco's Phase-Out of Bottled Water - Chandra Johnson, City of San Francsico
- Bottled Water Alternatives - Courtney Godwin, RPN
Copy Paper: July 22, 2008
This webinar covered topics including how to reduce environmental impacts throughout the lifecycle of copy paper, best practices, example procurement policies and bid specs for copy paper. Presentations include:
- Minimizing Paper Impacts - Susan Kinsella, Conservatree
- Standards: Copy Paper - Mary Jo Snavely, RPN
- Portland's Paper Experience: Buying Recycled - Jeff Baer, City of Portland, OR
Toner Cartridges: June 10, 2008
This webinar provided information on remanufactured toner cartridges with emphasis on quality control techniques, leading industry standards, and case studies from leading institutions. Presentations include:
- Remanufactuered Toner Cartridges - Problems and Solutions - Matt Kittell, RPN
- Texas Department of Transportation's Experience with Using Toner Cartridges - Samuel Reyes, Texas DOT
- The Toner and Inkjet Cartridge Remanufacturing Industry - International Imaging Technology Council (IITC)
EPEAT Computers: May 6, 2008
This webinar teaches best practices for computer purchasing, use, end-of-life, and EPEAT certification. Presentations include:
- Greening Office Equipment - Chris O'Brien, RPN
- EPEAT Computers - Sarah O'Brien, Green Electronics Council
- San Jose Case Study - Linden Skjeie, City of San Jose
Green Power: April 8, 2008
This webinar provided information on responsible electricity use and procurement, with emphasis on purchasing grid-delivered green power and renewable energy certificates (RECs). Presentations include:
- Green Power Guide Overview - RPN
- Environmental Problems with Electricity Production - RPN
- Renewable Energy - Think Energy
- Standard and Certification - Green-E Energy
- Green Power Purchase - Wisconsin
- Green Power Purchase - Pennsylvania
Tires and Wheel Weights: March 18, 2008
This webinar included an update on the low-rolling resistance (LRR) tire marketplace, an explanation of retread tires, and the King County DOT's experience in using lead-free wheel weights. Presentations include:
- Tire and Wheel Weight Overview - RPN
- Low Rolling Resistance Tires - NRDC
- Retread Tires - TRIB
- Lead-free Wheel Weights - King County, WA
Climate Neutral Fleet: August 21, 2007
This webinar instructed on greenhouse gas management by fleets. Participants learned how improvements in fuel economy, fleet management, and procurement can reduce emissions, improve energy security, and save money. Presentations include:
- Resources and Tools for Reducing GHGs - RPN
- Reducing GHG Emissions in the Transportation Sector - ICLEI
- Carbon Neutral Fleet Management - Environmental Defense
- Green Fleets Case Study - Ann Arbor, MI
Green Fleet: March 29, 2007
This webinar covered: leading trends in purchasing and managing responsible fleet vehicles and fuels; best practices, model policies, costs, and environmental performance issues; and fleet case studies of biofuels and hybrid vehicles. Presentations include:
- Responsible Purchasing Guide - Matt Kittell, RPN
- Ethanol and Biodiesel - Darwin Burkhart, Illinois EPA
- Hybrid Vehicles - Windell Mitchell, King County Fleets
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Fluorescent Lighting: November 5, 2007
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Purchasing Responsible Office Electronics: July 24, 2007
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