Green Procurement at Lehman College
The environmental impact of individual purchasing choices is magnified when purchasing is scaled up to the level of large organizations. The environmental impact of purchasing choices can be profound. Environmentally sustainable purchasing (PDF) has long been required of New York State entities, recognizing the role that NYS entities have in increasing positive environmental impact. Existing policies require NYS agencies to:
- Conserve, improve and protect natural resources and the environment;
- Prevent water, air and land pollution;
- Enhance the health, safety and welfare of NYS residents and their overall economic and social well-being;
- Promote cost effective methods to reduce energy and resource consumption;
- Reduce greenhouse gas emissions;
- Reduce or eliminate the use of hazardous substances and the generation of hazardous substances, pollution and waste at the source; and
- Reduce generation of solid waste, reuse materials, and recycle materials that cannot be reused.
Every step in processes that produce and transport a product to an end user, throughout the product’s useful life to its ultimate disposal, impacts the environment. Approximately 42 (!) percent of U.S. greenhouse gas emissions are associated with the energy used to produce, process, transport, and dispose of the food we eat and the goods we use.
Wherever applicable/possible, Lehman College makes purchasing choices in compliance with guidelines from the New York State Office of General Services (NYS OGS). Purchasing activity of large-quantity goods (e.g. paper) is reported annually in the NYS Executive Order 4 (EO4) Report.
Links
- United States Environmental Protection Agency (US EPA) Climate Change and Waste
