Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP)
Learn how Environmentally Preferable Purchasing helps your department and the environment.
Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) is defined as the procurement of items that have minimized or reduced environmental effects.
The University of California’s Sustainable Procurement Guidelines lay out the minimum sustainability requirements for products and services purchased by the University of California and identify those product attributes that are strongly preferred, if not mandatory, in accordance with the Sustainable Procurement Policy and Procedure Sections of the UC Sustainable Practices Policy.
Among other updated requirements around packaging materials, marketing claims, and e-commerce content management, this new Policy sets the following targets:
- 100% compliance with UC Required Level Green Spend criteria, within three (3) fiscal years
- 25% spend with products meeting UC Preferred Level Green criteria, per product category, within three (3) fiscal years
- 25% spend with Economically and Socially Responsible (EaSR) suppliers, as a percentage of total addressable spend, within five (5) fiscal years
- 15% of total points utilized in competitive solicitation evaluations allotted to sustainability factors (exceptions allowed; beginning FY19-20).
UC Annual Green Spend Reporting
The University of California San Diego green spend data is required by UC policy from July 1 – June 30. The University of California is required to report annually on its sustainability performance in key product categories.
Check out the University of California Systemwide Procurement video that explains the Green Spend Reporting process.
Ecovadis
UC has partnered with Ecovadis, a supplier sustainability assessment tool, to ensure the suppliers we work with are dedicated to sustainable practices. While we strive to have our contracted suppliers maintain a score over 45, we will work with those are that still developing their sustainability initiatives and support their efforts towards a greener future.
Purchasing Programs & Resources
Programs
Chemcycle
Extra chemicals? Donate to Chemcycle
Toner Recycling
Learn how to recycle your empty toner cartridge
Surplus Sales
Learn how to buy used University goods
Printer Refresh Program
Learn how to replace your current printer with a new high-efficiency HP printer for a nominal handling charge.
Thermo Fisher Scientific
Learn about the environmental benefits of the UC San Diego partnership with Thermo Fisher Scientific.
Sustainable Purchasing Guides
- Purchasing Guides: Environmental Protection Agency (EPA)
- UC Sustainable Products Search Tool: Ecomedes
End of Product Life
Reuse
Recycle
- Single Stream Recycling via blue bins (See list)
- e-Waste
- Toner Recycling via Logistics
- To reduce toner waste, purchase High Capacity Toners, which have a higher page yield per cartridge and typically cost less to print per-page
Hazardous Waste
Proper Landfill Disposal: Learn how to identify, label, store, and dispose of hazardous waste at UCSD.
References
These links provided material for this page. Use them for more detailed information on sustainable purchasing.
- EPP Best Practices Manual (State of California)
- Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT)
- UC San Diego Climate Action Plan (PDF) (Purchasing section 5.1)
- Total Cost of Ownership (PDF)
- Energy Star qualified products
- Eco-Logo product list
- Green Seal certified products
- Energy Efficient Equipment
- Ecovadis
- Single-Use Plastics Policy