[Adopted 12-14-2011 by Ord. No. 17-2011]
It is the policy and practice of the City of Linwood to:
A. Endeavor to institute practices that reduce waste by increasing product
efficiency and effectiveness; and
B. Endeavor to purchase products that minimize environmental impacts,
toxics, pollution, and hazards to worker and community safety to the
greatest extent practicable; and
C. Endeavor to purchase products that include recycled content, are
durable and long-lasting, conserve energy and water, use agricultural
fibers and residues, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, use unbleached
or chlorine-free manufacturing processes, are lead-free and mercury-free,
and use wood from sustainably harvested forests (FSC) when and where
possible.
The Chief Financial Officer, the Green Team Committee and other
positions responsible for implementing this policy shall periodically
meet and evaluate the success of this policy's implementation.
As used in this article, the following terms shall have the
meanings indicated:
BIO-BASED PRODUCTS
Commercial or industrial products (other than food or feed)
that utilize agricultural crops or residues, but does not include
products made from forestry materials.
BIODEGRADABLE PLASTIC
The degradation of the plastic must occur as a result of
the action of naturally occurring microorganisms.
BIODEGRADABLE PRODUCTS INSTITUTE (BPI)
A multi-stakeholder association of key individuals and groups
from government, industry and academia that promotes the use and recycling
of biodegradable polymeric materials (via composting). The BPI does
not create standards but certifies products that demonstrate they
meet the requirements in ASTM D6400 or D6868, based on testing in
an approved laboratory.
BUYER
Anyone authorized to purchase or contract for purchases on
behalf of the City or its subdivisions.
CARPET AND RUG INSTITUTE (CRI)
The national trade association representing the carpet and
rug industry. The CRI has developed and administered the "Green Label"
indoor air quality testing and labeling program for carpet, adhesives,
cushion materials and vacuum cleaners.
CHLORINE FREE
Products processed without chlorine or chlorine derivatives.
COMPOSTABLE PLASTIC
Plastic that is biodegradable during composting to yield
carbon dioxide, water and inorganic compounds and biomass, at a rate
consistent with other known compostable materials, and leaves no visually
distinguishable or toxic residues.
CONTRACTOR
Any person, group of persons, business, consultant, designing
architect, association, partnership, corporation, supplier, vendor
or other entity that has a contract with the City or serves in a subcontracting
capacity with the City or with an entity having a contract with the
City for the provision of any goods or services.
DEGRADABLE PLASTIC
Plastic that undergoes significant changes in its chemical
structure under specific environmental conditions.
DIOXINS AND FURANS
A group of chemical compounds that are classified as persistent,
bioaccumulative, and toxic by the United States Environmental Protection
Agency (EPA).
ENERGY EFFICIENT PRODUCT
A product that is in the upper 25% of energy efficiency for
all similar products, or that is at least 10% more efficient than
the minimum level that meets federal standards and guidelines.
ENERGY STAR®
The U.S. EPA's energy efficiency product labeling program.
FEDERAL ENERGY MANAGEMENT PROGRAM
A program of the Department of Energy that issues a series
of product energy efficiency recommendations that identify recommended
efficiency levels for energy-using products.
FOREST STEWARDSHIP COUNCIL (FSC)
A global organization that certifies responsible, on-the-ground
forest management according to rigorous standards developed by a broad
variety of stakeholder groups.
GREEN BUILDING PRACTICES
A whole-systems approach to the design, construction, and
operation of buildings and structures that helps mitigate the environmental,
economic, and social impacts of construction, demolition, and renovation.
Green building practices, such as those described in the LEED IM rating
system, recognize the relationship between natural and built environments
and seek to minimize the use of energy, water, and other natural resources
and provide a healthy productive environment.
GREEN SEAL
An independent, nonprofit environmental labeling organization.
Green Seal standards for products and services meet the U.S. EPA's
criteria for third-party certifiers. The Green Seal is a registered
certification mark that may appear only on certified products.
INTEGRATED PEST MANAGEMENT (IPM)
An ecosystem-based strategy that focuses on long-term prevention
of pests or their damage through a combination of techniques such
as biological control, habitat manipulation, modification of cultural
practices, and use of resistant varieties. Pesticides are used only
after monitoring indicates they are needed according to established
guidelines, and treatments are made with the goal of removing only
the target organism. Pest control materials are selected and applied
in a manner that minimizes risks to human health, beneficial and non-target
organisms, and the environment.
LEED IM RATING SYSTEM
The most recent version of the Leadership in Energy and Environmental
Design (LEEDTM) Commercial Green Building
Rating System, or other related LEED IM rating system, approved by
the United States Green Building Council and designed for rating new
and existing commercial, institutional, and high-rise residential
buildings.
ORGANIC PEST MANAGEMENT
Prohibits the use and application of toxic chemical pesticides
and strives to prevent pest problems through the application of natural,
organic horticultural and maintenance practices. All pest control
products shall be in keeping with, but not limited to, those products
on the approved list of New Jersey certified organic foods (NJOF).
POSTCONSUMER MATERIAL
A finished material which would normally be disposed of as
a solid waste, having reached its intended end-use and having completed
its life cycle as a consumer item, and does not include manufacturing
or converting wastes.
PRACTICAL and PRACTICABLE
Whenever possible and compatible with local, state and federal
law, without reducing safety, quality, or effectiveness and where
the product or service is available at a reasonable cost in a reasonable
period of time.
PRECONSUMER MATERIAL
Material or by-products generated after manufacture of a
product is completed but before the product reaches the end-use consumer.
Preconsumer material does not include mill and manufacturing trim,
scrap or broke that is generated at a manufacturing site and commonly
reused on site in the same or another manufacturing process.
RECOVERED MATERIAL
Fragments of products or finished products of a manufacturing
process has converted a resource into a commodity of real economic
value, and includes preconsumer and postconsumer material but does
not include excess resources of the manufacturing process.
RECYCLED CONTENT
The percentage of recovered material, including preconsumer
and postconsumer materials, in a product.
RECYCLED CONTENT STANDARD
The minimum level of recovered material and/or postconsumer
material necessary for products to qualify as recycled products.
RECYCLED PRODUCT
A product that meets the City's recycled content policy
objectives for postconsumer and recovered material.
REMANUFACTURED PRODUCT
Any product diverted from the supply of discarded materials
by refurbishing and marketing said product without substantial change
to its original form.
REUSED PRODUCT
Any product designed to be used many times for the same or
other purposes without additional processing except for specific requirements
such as cleaning, painting or minor repairs.
SOURCE REDUCTION
Refers to products that result in a net reduction in the
generation of waste compared to their previous or alternate version
and includes durable, reusable and remanufactured products; products
with no, or reduced, toxic constituents; and products marketed with
no, or reduced, packaging.
U.S. EPA GUIDELINES
The Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines established by the
United States Environmental Protection Agency for federal agency purchases
as of May 2002 and any subsequent versions adopted.
WATER-SAVING PRODUCTS
Those that are in the upper 25% of water conservation for
all similar products, or at least 10% more water-conserving than the
minimum level that meets the federal standards.