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The Conscientious Commonwealth: Massachusetts' Economical and Ecologically Smart Buys Jodan Ross Each year state and municipal governments spend over $385 billion on products and services to keep state offices and programs running smoothly, according to the Center for a New American Dream. One of the many goals of the Center is to make sure that as much of that money as possible is spent on environmentally responsible goods and services. The Center for a New American Dream's Procurement Strategies Program indexes the progress of the states and some areas of Canada on its web site (www.newdream.org). The Procurement Strategies Program also hosts conference calls for purchasers and sellers of environmentally responsible products and service. The site provides guidance for state and local governments making purchasing decisions. With the exception of Idaho, Alabama, and South Carolina each state has its own set of policies for buying recycled and environmentally preferable products. How does Massachusetts measure up? In 1994, the Operational Services Division of Massachusetts (OSD) started the Environmental Preferable Product Purchasing Program (EPP Program) to educate staff about the advantages associated with purchasing environmentally responsible products, and to develop policies and spending procedures for doing so. In 1993, Massachusetts' OSD spent $5.2 million on recycled products, according to EPP Program manager, Maria Deegler. Last year Massachusetts spent close to $100 million on recycled products, says Deegler. What exactly are these environmentally preferable products? Environmental Preferable Products are "products or services that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with competing products or services that serve the same purpose," according to the EPP Program web site. Since 1994, Massachusetts has purchased office supplies that are made from at least 30 per-cent recycled paper, more than thirty-five zero-emissions vehicles, more than eighty vehicles which use compressed natural gas, environmentally friendly cleaning products, and other goods and services that contain fewer wastes or toxins than their competitors. In addition to the EPP Program, Massachusetts has a Sustainable Design Initiative which promotes responsible construction and renovation of state buildings. The Initiative includes plans for energy efficient heating and cooling systems, water conservation, recycling programs, and use of environmentally-friendly building materials. In addition to benefits for the environment, the Sustainable Design Initiative has saved Massachusetts more than $114 million on products that last longer and are more ecologically aware, according to Massachusetts' Executive Office of Environmental Affairs web site. In addition to the goods and services procured by Massachusetts,"several Commonwealth agencies as well as cities and towns are working on projects to procure energy from new, renewable sources, such as wind and solar," says Deegler. When the EPP Program began in targeted products that were close to the price, if not less expensive, than the goods that were not made from recycled matter, says Deegler. "Buyers must also keep in mind that EPPs can also save money in the operation and maintenance side of the product or service, or reduce the cost of disposal fees at the end of the product's life," says Deegler. "Therefore, even if the purchase price is slightly more the life cycle of the product represents a monetary savings -- often significant." Though there is no legislation directing Massachusetts' OSD, two Executive Orders have been implemented to stimulate progress in the Commonwealth's purchasing department. In February 1993, Governor William Weld ordered state agencies to design and execute a pollution prevention plan and write "Buy Recycled" policies. In her Executive Order (E.O.#432) in 2002, Governor Jane Swift ordered the creation of a State Sustainability Coordinating Council, claiming that, "there is a need for state agencies to go beyond regulatory compliance and minimize their environmental impacts in areas including....the generation of solid and hazardous waste, the emissions of greenhouse gases and other pollutants, the consumption of energy and water and the use of natural resources." The E.O. also says, "State government should lead by example and provide a model for business and private citizens by promoting practices and policies that attempt to minimize or eliminate negative environmental and health impacts and that seek to maintain and improve the environmental, economic and community health of the Commonwealth." The State Sustainability Coordinating Council outlined in the E. O. keeps record of the progress of the Commonwealth, and "promotes sustainable environmental practices and procedures throughout all state agencies." Massachusetts' actions are a hopeful beginning, but isn't it time for individuals to step up too? The Center for a New American Dream supplies two programs for action on their web site called "Turn the Tide" and "Step by Step." "Turn the Tide" is a set of nine personal changes, like going vegetarian or taking public transportation. Those who have taken the "Turn the Tide" pledge have collectively saved hundreds of trees, thousands of pounds of carbon dioxide fro entering the atmosphere, and millions of gallons of water, according to the Center. The "Step by Step" program sponsors monthly campaigns such as letters of opposition to Bush's energy bill or emails telling M&M's to use fair trade chocolate. The "Step by Step" campaigns aim to hold congressional representatives accountable and to encourage specific manufacturers to use safe, humane and responsible practices. Whether the changes be small or radical, whether our action is letter-writing or changing the way we shop, now it's our turn to follow the Commonwealth's lead. |