Authorizing the Committee on the Environment to hold public hearings to examine the Procurement Department's purchasing policies and goals related to sustainable and energy efficient products.

WHEREAS, To minimize the City’s impact on the environment, a collective effort should be made to purchase products that are environmentally-friendly and offer energy savings; and

WHEREAS, The Procurement Department is looking at purchasing wind energy, requiring Energy Star products and setting emission standards for public works contracts; and

WHEREAS, The City is already committed to the sustainable practices outlined in Section17-600 of The Philadelphia Code. This provision requires the Procurement Department to purchase paper and paper products containing recycled materials and alternative fuel vehicles or hybrid-electric vehicles whenever the price is reasonably competitive and the quality adequate for the purpose intended; and

WHEREAS, While initial cost should be a factor in the products purchased, the Procurement Department should also consider energy and life-cycle cost savings that are realized through environmentally-friendly products; and

WHEREAS, By incorporating life-cycle and energy savings costs into product price comparisons, the Procurement Department may find environmentally-friendly products more affordable than conventional products; and

WHEREAS, Sustainable and energy efficient products are widely available, and in many cases, federal and state subsidies are offered to promote and offset any initial cost differences of these alternatives; and

WHEREAS, The City should take further steps to reduce waste through reuse and recycling and also by purchasing refurbished and recycled products and materials when these such alternatives are available and adequate; and

WHEREAS, Establishing a formal

Environmental Procurement Policy

would be a way to specify goals for purchasing sustainable products and clarify real cost comparisons that consider both initial and life-cycle costs; and

WHEREAS, Many cities throughout the United States have implemented environmental procurement policies to preserve natural resources and reduce pollution; now, therefore, be it

RESOLVED,

BY THE COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF PHILADELPHIA, That City Council’s Committee on the Environment is hereby authorized to hold public hearings to examine the Procurement Department’s purchasing policies and goals related to sustainable and energy efficient products.

End