Green Purchasing Guides and Resources
Guides and resources that can help reduce the environmental impact of your organization’s purchasing choices.
Although all “antimicrobial” products have risks, many conventional disinfectants, such as chlorine bleach, pose more serious risks to custodial workers and building occupants because they contain active ingredients that have been found to cause asthma, cancer, skin sensitization, or other health hazards. Yet, surface disinfectants with more benign health and environmental impacts than conventional disinfectants are readily available, cost effective, and have equivalent or greater efficacy in killing bacteria, viruses, and fungi.
Janitorial paper products are single-use items primarily used in facility restrooms and break rooms. They may be purchased as stand-alone items or included in a custodial services contract. Any janitorial paper products purchased directly by staff must contain a minimum of 30% post-consumer recycled content to comply with California’s Senate Bill 1383, aka SB 1383, which went into effect January 2022.
Keeping your facility clean is one of the most important ways to maintain a healthy indoor environment, but using some cleaning products may actually increase indoor air pollution. Using products that meet the Minimum Requirements below will, when properly used, not only meet performance requirements, but also reduce custodial workers’ and occupants’ exposure to harmful chemicals.
This document gives examples of the types of recycled content products that can be purchased to save the equivalent of one ton of carbon dioxide.
This guide helps building managers and maintenance staff make purchasing decisions that increase energy efficiency, conserve natural resources and improve indoor air quality. Categories covered include lighting, paint, flooring, furniture, energy efficient appliances, water efficient products, mechanical, janitorial cleaning & supply products, and landscaping.
The San Francisco Department of the Environment maintains this list of distributors of compostable products, such as plates, cutlery, and to-go containers. Includes distributors’ contact information.
- This Guide lists over 100 commercial products and services and the environmental attributes to consider when purchasing or specifying them. The Guide was developed to assist Alameda County businesses and public agencies procure environmentally preferable products. Available as an Excel document or as a PDF.