Town of Northbridge, MA Purchasing

In recognition of the need to make more efficient use of our natural resources, create markets for the materials collected in recycling programs, reduce solid waste volume and disposal costs, conserve energy and resources and significantly limit the amount of toxic substances being disposed of or consumed while serving as a model for private and public institutions, the Town of Northbridge is committed to purchasing products which are environmentally preferable and/or made of recycled materials whenever such products meet quality and performance requirements and are available at reasonable prices and terms. EPPs include, but are not limited to, products that contain recycled content, are energy efficient, less toxic, reduce packaging, conserve water, are readily biodegradable, and preserve open space.

To the maximum extent practicable, the following standards should be adhered to:

For all purchases of printing and writing paper for in-house use or custom printed materials by professional printers, including copier paper, offset paper, forms, stationery, envelopes, tablets, notepads and file folders, the minimum content standards shall be no less than 30% post-consumer recycled materials to meet current state and federal minimum standards.

For all purchases of janitorial paper products and trash bags, the minimum content standards shall be no less than 20% post-consumer recycled materials.

All office equipment purchases shall be deemed energy efficient.

Town departments shall ensure that all contracts for printing require the inclusion of an imprint identifying the recycled content of the paper whenever practicable, along with the recycling symbol.

For the purpose of measuring the progress of the program and success in meeting the recycling goals of the Commonwealth, each department shall report purchases of recycled products to the Town Manager or his designated appointee on July 30 for the previous fiscal year.

The decision not to procure recycled content printing and writing paper meeting these standards shall be based solely on a determination that a satisfactory level of competition does not exist, that items are not available under a reasonable time period, that items fail to meet reasonable performance standards, or that are only available at an unreasonable price.

Each department shall implement paper reduction techniques through the use of duplexing, sharing and circulating materials, use of electronic mail, and reuse of discarded paper for draft work, scrap paper and internal messages.

The head of each Town department should incorporate waste prevention and recycling in daily operations, should work to expand markets for recovered materials through greater preference and demand for recycled products, and by revising current purchasing specifications to encourage and promote their purchase.

Town departments shall implement a price preference of 5% (or greater) to encourage the procurement of recycled and environmentally preferable products.

The Town shall require its contractors and consultants to use and specify recycled products in fulfilling contractual obligations wherever possible.