Washington County, MN Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy

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Washington County, MN, US

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Type: Resolution

Status: Adopted on 8/5/03

Vote: Unanimous

Source File: http://www.co.washington.mn.us/client_files/documents/phe/SHW//SHW-EPPBoardResolution.pdf

Text:

RESOLUTION NO. 2003-132

WHEREAS, the Washington County Board of Commissioners adopted in February 1999 the Washington County Solid Waste Management Master Plan and the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board's Regional Solid Waste Master Plan respectively; and

WHEREAS, these plans call for the county to act as a leader in procuring environmentally preferable products; and include an outcome which states that Washington County "will reduce waste generated from its operations by adopting an Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Policy"; and

WHEREAS, the President of the United States and the Governor of Minnesota have issued Executive Orders on environmentally preferable purchasing, leading to the adoption of environmental standards for purchasing decisions made by federal, state and local governments; and

WHEREAS, Minnesota Statutes Section 16B.122 provides direction to local government on the purchase of products that lead to waste and toxicity reduction, that are recyclable, and/or that contain recycled materials; and

WHEREAS, the Solid Waste Management Coordinating Board has published the "Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Guide" as a tool to help counties and other local governments to include environmental considerations in purchasing decision.

NOW, THEREFORE BE IT RESOLVED, the Washington County Board of Commissioners is committed to environmentally preferable purchasing and directs the Departments of Administration, Public Health and Environment, and Transportation and Physical Development, in coordination with other departments when appropriate, to establish standards, criteria, and/or procedures for the county's environmentally preferable purchasing decisions; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Washington County Board of Commissioners directs county departments to consider environmental factors in making purchasing decisions, including, but not limited to, toxicity or hazardous character, air quality, workplace safety, energy and water consumption, post-consumer recycled content, compliance with applicable regulations, and material life-cycle issues such as recyclability or disposal requirements; and

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, the Washington County Board of Commissioners directs the Department of Public Health and Environment to provide leadership to municipalities, school districts and other public entities in Washington County, where appropriate, to incorporate environmentally preferable purchasing principles in making purchasing decisions.