Green Purchasing
Discussion Summary of Friday, February 9, 2007 Meeting
There were no comments or corrections to the NOTES from December 1, 2006 meeting.
OLD BUSINESS
1. Craig handed out annotated copies of the Memorandum of Agreement.
2. Tom handed out a six page report from EnviroSmart (www.EnviroSmart.com) on recycling of printer cartridges.
3. Becky handed out a copy of UK’s price list of paper products. Office Max provides all of UK’s office supplies. Becky gave us the name of the rep to contact for pricing.
NEW BUSINESS
King County, Washington was mentioned as being one of the most environmentally conscious areas in the nation. I went to their web site: (www.metrokc.gov/procure/green). It provides a lot of valuable browsing places for our purchasing pursuits.
ITEMS FOR DISCUSSION AT NEXT MEETING
Continue work on paper products and other pending joint efforts.
Please bring other suggestions.
Next meeting: Friday, April 13, 2007, Purchasing Division Conference room, 3rd floor, Government Center.
--Charlie Milward
Discussion Summary of Friday, December 1, 2006 Meeting
There were no comments or corrections to the NOTES from October 27, 2006 meeting.
OLD BUSINESS
- Craig Locke is reviewing the MOA, and discussing it with other members of UK’s purchasing team and legal council. After that process is completed, he will forward it to this team for review and approval. It will then be presented to the BPGC Steering Committee, and then to the Mayor, Superintendent, and President for their approval. After that, the terms of the agreement can be used and joint purchasing can begin.
- The policy on used oil that Tom Webb drafted was discussed. The next step will
be for each member to determine estimated volume of oil and number of filters, whether the filters are crushed or not and where the used oil and filters are stored. The intent will be to develop a scope of work and contract with one vendor. The vendor’s performance will be monitored to assure compliance with the contract.
NEW BUSINESS
- The team members agreed to consider the request to use reduced-phosphorus or
no-phosphorus fertilizers on their properties, per the request from the Water/Stormwater Team.
- Milward handed out copies of downloaded information from Green Seal
Certification and Standards web site. There are many interesting documents at www.greenseal.org.
- The 2007 meeting schedule was set for 9 am on the 2nd Friday of every-other month, beginning on Friday, February 9th. The meetings will be held in the Purchasing Division’s conference room (near the elevators) on the 3rd floor of the Government Center, 200 East Main Street.
ITEM FOR DISCUSSION AT NEXT MEETING
- Paper supplies, toner cartridge purchase and recycling, janitorial supplies and the used oil project.
- Vending contracts and policy statement, to include preference for Energy Star designated machines.
Next meeting: Friday, February 9, 2007, Purchasing Division Conference room, 3rd floor, Government Center.
--Charlie Milward, Team Leader
Discussion Summary of July 31, 2006 Meeting
Consider purchasing furniture lines that are geared toward recycle-ability. Some automobiles advertise the same concept. If members can develop lists of “green” items, submit them to the team.
The team had discussed developing lists of all items purchased that exceeded $10,000 per year. Because of the extremely long lists of items in that range, the number was changed to $20,000.
In addition to each of the three Principals in the Partnership approving the MOA, any chosen vendors on the lists will need to be willing to offer their products to the BPGC.
We will need to develop a uniform contractual note that will go out with bids for unit price contracting, describing the MOA and language allowing each partner to use the contract to purchase commodities. Commodities will be selected from the lists of items under $20,000 per year.
Team members are checking their organizations’ policies on used oil programs, and the subject will be listed as an Old Business item on the next meeting’s agenda.
Next meeting: late August or early September, date, time and location to be announced.
--Charlie Milward, Team Leader
Discussion Summary of March 16, 2006 Meeting
Our first meeting was on Thursday, March 16, 2006 , and was attended by 10 people representing FCPS, UK, LFUCG, and Fayette County Health Department. We reviewed the development history of the Partnership.
The following list of items was developed as being possible inclusions in joint purchasing procedures: paper (we learned that the price of paper is tied to the Wall Street Journal index, and that recycled paper costs more than “new”), light bulbs, ink and toner, fuels and lubricants, antifreeze, tires, toilet paper, garbage can liners, cleaning supplies, lawn care products, pesticides, and herbicides. Recycling of waste paper and other materials was discussed. Joint contracts for collection and disposal of old computers have potential savings, but there are safety and legal issues that must be considered. Packaging and freight are large parts of the cost of disposal. The same is true for old printers, copiers and typewriters. We discussed the cost and value of disposing of construction and demolition debris.
Our strategy is for all participants to provide a list of items for which over $10,000 is spent per year, compare those costs, and look for products that can be purchased jointly for economy of scale. Another topic for discussion will be a Comprehensive Recycling Program, where all agencies can participate in collection and sale of recyclables.
We discussed the necessity for formal agreements between the partners that would allow us to jointly purchase and dispose of products. I have a copy of the MEMORANDUM OF AGREEMENT that was developed by and for the Louisville partnership (Louisville/Jefferson County Metro Government, Jefferson County Public Schools , and the University of Louisville ). I'll bring copies to the next meeting for review and discussion.
--Charlie Milward