Sustainable Purchasing Resources & Tools
Web Based Purchasing Guides
- The Twin Cities Environmentally Preferrable Purchasing Guide. An excellent resource with product specific guides: http://www.rethinkrecycling.com/government/eppg
Total Cost of Ownership/Life Cycle Cost
EPA Environmentally Preferrable Purchasing (EPP)
Eco Labels/Certifications
Environmental Benefit Calculators
- Electronics Environmental Benefits Calculator - This calculator estimates the environmental and economic benefits of purchasing EPEAT-registered products, in addition to improvements in equipment operation and end-of-life management practices.
- Paper Calculator - A web-based tool developed by Environmental Defense which compares the environmental impacts of papers made with different levels of recycled content, ranging from 0% (virgin paper) to 100%.
- Green Cleaning Pollution Prevention Calculator - This calculator, developed by US EPA, quantifies the projected environmental benefits of purchasing and using "green" janitorial services and products.
- Fleet Emissions Calculator - The Puget Sound Green Fleets Guide offers a tool that calculates CO2 emissions and suggests reduction strategies.
- Flexible Fuel Vehicle Calculator - Although flexible fuel vehicles (FFVs) are typically available at the same prices as comparable gasoline vehicles, the cost of E85 fuel is higher. This tool developed by EERE calculates the cost of driving the selected vehicle, gallons of gasoline saved, and pounds of greenhouse gases saved by fueling with E85.
- HEV Cost Calculator - This calculator, developed by the US Department of Energy Energy Efficiency and Renewable Energy (EERE), allows fleets to compare the costs, benefits, and emissions of hybrid electric vehicles (HEV) with those of conventional vehicles.
Calculating Total Cost of Ownership
Sustainable products are often more durable and efficient, which could mean a higher purchase price, but significant cost savings to the County over the life of the product.
Total Cost of Ownership data can be used to compare a traditional product and a more sustainable alternative.
In formal procurements, you must include details of how the total cost of ownership will be calculated and provide the necessary cost requirements for the vendors to complete.
- Cost of making the purchase or acquisition: What is the purchase price?
- Prediction of useful life:Is the purchase for a short project? If yes, then what will happen to the product once the project is completed? Could you consider leasing or borrowing, rather than purchasing? If no, then what is the predicted life of the product? Does it come with any warranties?
- Training and other personnel costs:Will there be any training or personnel costs? If yes, what will those be? If no, could there be training to ensure that the product will be used with optimal efficiency? If yes, then calculate those costs?
- Cost of consumables:Does the product require any consumables, such as ink or toner cartridges? If yes, then calculate those costs? If no, move on.
- Maintenance costs:Does the product require regular maintenance? If yes, calculate how often, buy whom, and cost?
- Operational Factors:Does the product have any operation costs such as water or energy usage? If yes, calculate operational costs over time. If no, move on.
- Product disposal, reuse or resale:What will happen at the end of useful life? Can the product be reused by you or another County department? If yes, list the product on the Surplus MINT site, or create a reuse area in your department (for smaller office supplies etc.) If no, will the vendor take it back? If no, can the product be recycled? If yes, can it be recycled in the local market? If yes, make sure recyclers are responsible (approval from Sustainability Program) and calculate cost/benefit. If no, is the product hazardous? If yes, calculate the cost of hazardous waste disposal. If no, calculate cost/benefit of regular garbage.
In order to calculate total cost of ownership, go through the following steps.
If there is no, or limited, data available please indicate as such
|
Purchase Price or Lease |
$_______________ |
|
Warranties |
$_______________ |
|
Training or Personnel Costs |
$_______________ |
|
Consumables Costs (over life of product or contract): such as ink, toner, batteries, fuel etc... |
$_______________ |
|
Operation and Maintenance Costs: such as water, energy, repair, regular servicing, insurance |
$_______________ |
|
Disposal Costs: recyclable, hazardous, reuse, resale etc... |
$_______________ |
|
Total |
$_______________ |
