GO GREEN! BUY GREEN!
So...what is green purchasing?
Green Purchasing (also referred to as Sustainable Purchasing or Environmentally Preferable Purchasing) is the consideration of environmental, social, and economic impacts of a product or service that is being purchased. Buying Green can help PSU reduce our impact and support our Climate Action Plan targets.
Every dollar PSU spends makes a statement about our values.
- Do we value energy and water resources?
- Do we value health and safety?
- Do we value our watershed?
- Do we value fair and just labor practices?
This website contains some resources and tools to help you choose a greener product.
Email us! buygreen@pdx.edu Need help finding a green alternative? Wondering how you can make your contract a little greener? We can help!
Before beginning the purchasing process, consider these following questions:
- Before you start...Do you really need to buy it? Have you checked surplus or the ReUse Room?
- From what is the product made? How are these materials acquired?
- Where is the product made and by whom? In what conditions is it manufactured?
- How long will this product last?
- How far does it travel to reach the consumer?
- How much energy or materials does it use during its operable life?
- How is it disposed of?
General tips for buying green
Top 5 Green Buying Guide
Trainings
Intro to Buy Green! [power point presentation]
Paper [power point presentation]
Purchasing Guides
"Greenwashing"
Learn how to avoid greenwashing
Tips, Tools and Calculators
Total cost of ownership [Excel worksheet]
Envirocalc [Excel worksheet]
Green Purchasing Programs and Websites
Environmentally Preferable Purchasing Guide Excellent web guide create by Twin Cities, MN. You can search by product type.
Profile
Our Community Partner: Office of Sustainable Development »
The Commercial Recycling Project provides education, outreach, research, data collection, and technical assistance services to commercial businesses,