Sustainable Office Supplies

Learn how to purchase Sustainable Office Supplies

When procuring consumable office products, consider the following sustainability factors to make informed decisions and contribute to a circular economy.

As per UC Sustainable Procurement Guidelines, sustainability criteria have been set for copy paper, paper office supplies, non-paper office supplies, and toner. 

• Copy Paper - A minimum of 30% of copy paper is required to be Post-Consumer Recycled Content (PCRC) or agricultural residue content or Green Seal (GS-07) certified. 
• Paper Office Supplies - A minimum of 30% of paper office supplies other than copy paper is required to be Post-Consumer Recycled Content (PCRC) certified. 
• Non-paper office Supplies - Required to meet the minimum EPA Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPG) recycled-content levels for Non-Paper Office Products and a minimum of 30% recycled content for all writing utensils (dry erase markers, highlighters, markers, pens, and pencils) or other plastic-based accessories. 
• Toner - Consider Remanufactured or High Yield. 

Sustainable Consumable Office Products 

UC San Diego is committed to significantly reducing our environmental impact by making informed procurement decisions for consumable office products. Please consider the following criteria when procuring sustainable office supplies:

Choose Recycled and Recyclable Products

- Purchase paper products from 100% recycled content or tree-free alternatives like water-based or plant-based.

- To minimize waste, opt for recycled toner, ink cartridges, or refillable whiteboard markers.

- If binders, folders, and organizers are necessary, select from recycled plastic or eco-friendly materials.

Prioritize Reusable and Bulk Items

- Use reusable products like refillable pens, pencils, and dry-erase markers instead of disposable options.

- Purchase bulk items like paper reams and sticky notes to reduce packaging waste.

- Consider reusable water bottles and mugs instead of single-use plastic bottles and cups.

Avoid Harmful Chemicals

- Choose products without harmful chemicals like BPA, phthalates, and PV.

- Opt for eco-friendly cleaning supplies and hand soaps without antimicrobial agents.

- Avoid furniture and products treated with chemical flame retardants or stain repellents.

Support Sustainable Vendors

- Prioritize vendors with eco-friendly product lines and firm sustainability commitments.

- Look for products certified by organizations as defined by the Sustainable Procurement Guidelines.