Environmentally preferable products are “products and services [that] have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared to other products and services that serve the same purpose. This comparison may consider raw materials acquisition, production, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, reuse, operation, maintenance, or disposal of the product or service.”
University departments should consider the following practices and commodity identifiers when planning purchases of goods and services:
Environmentally responsible purchasing can be applied to the following product categories:
Resources for CU-Boulder Purchasers include:
- The CU-Boulder ERP checklist contains guidelines for commonly purchased products (use this checklist to compare your current habits to the guidelines)
- Additional information about purchasing is provided by CU's Procurement Center.
Other resources and useful links include:
- Green purchasing information from the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE)
- Consult EPEAT when purchasing computer, display, or imaging equipment
- Search for Green Seal Certified products and services
- For a general consumer information visit Consumer Information on Green Products and Services provided by the Environmental Protection Agency
*Links to non-university sites do not represent an endorsement by the University of Colorado at Boulder or its affiliates.