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:
A. 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.
B. For all purchases of janitorial paper products and trash bags, the
minimum content standards shall be no less than 20% post-consumer
recycled materials.
C. All office equipment purchases shall be deemed energy efficient.
D. 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.
E. 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.
F. 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.
G. 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.
H. 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.
I. Town departments shall implement a price preference of 5% (or greater)
to encourage the procurement of recycled and environmentally preferable
products.
J. The Town shall require its contractors and consultants to use and
specify recycled products in fulfilling contractual obligations wherever
possible.