Sustainable Purchasing

Introduction

The University of California and UC Davis are committed to sustainability: meeting the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) is an important step toward making sustainability a reality at UC Davis. EPP is a strategy that seeks to procure products and services with a reduced or minimal environmental impact as compared to other similar products/services that serve the same purpose.

Products/services can include attributes such as: recycled content, reduced energy consumption, reduced toxicity, reduced air and water pollution impact, materials efficiency (such as packaging), and disposal impact at the end of useful life.

It is important to consider the overall cost of each purchase. A product that lasts only half as long as one that is slightly more expensive is no bargain. Similarly, a product that negatively affects other resources of the organization when it is used must be closely scrutinized for its net contribution to the organization's goals.

Before making a purchase, think about the 5 "R"s: Reduce, Reuse, Buy Recycled, Use Available Resources, and Recycle.

Please consider the environment before you print this web page.

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