• Kraft
• Manila
• Wove paper

Required specifications

Purchasers must include these specifications, unless not possible:

• All envelopes must meet or exceed the applicable U.S. EPA Comprehensive Procurement Guideline (CPG) for Envelopes:
  • Minimum 30% post-consumer recycled content for wove envelopes.
  • Minimum 10% post-consumer recycled content for kraft and manila envelopes.
• Products with a higher percentage of recycled content than the applicable U.S. EPA CPG for this category are eligible for a price preference of at least 10%.

Preferred specifications

Purchasers should include these specifications, unless not possible:

• Envelopes available through the state of Washington’s Surplus Program.
• Reusable (interdepartmental) envelopes.
• 100% recycled content in various sizes. Some of these are certified (or labeled) process chlorine-free (PCF), which prevents water pollution. (Elemental chlorine-free (ECF) is a weaker standard that allows for the use of chlorine compounds).
• Certified by Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) (FSC Recycled or FSC Mixed Sources).

Things to avoid

Purchasers should avoid these specifications whenever possible:

• Bidders must avoid offering PCB-containing products and packaging unless there is no cost-effective or technically feasible alternative.
  • In such cases, they must identify all products and packaging in their offering that contain PCBs. Products and packaging that have been tested and confirmed to have a relatively low concentration of PCBs compared to those offered by other bidders are eligible for a bid preference of at least 5%.

Laws, rules, and executive orders

These laws, rules, and executive orders must be included in the contract language:

• RCW 43.19A: Recycled Product Procurement
  • Sets a goal of substantially increasing the state’s purchases of recycled-content products, directs the state to set recycled-content standards, and authorizes state agencies to specify, give priority to and/or offer price preferences for products that contain recycled materials.
• DES’ Recycled Content Purchasing Preference Policy (POL-DES-255-00)
  • States, “In establishing environmental requirements and preferences for products that contain recycled materials, agencies shall reference the current U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (EPA CPGs) as the minimum standards for the state of Washington.” This policy also directs state agencies to offer a purchasing preference of at least 10% to bidders whose products have a recycled-content percentage exceeding the EPA CPG minimum.
• RCW 39.26.280: Preference—Products and Products in Packaging That Do Not Contain Polychlorinated Biphenyls
  • Prohibits state agencies from knowingly purchasing “products or products in packaging containing polychlorinated biphenyls above the practical quantification limit except when it is not cost-effective or technically feasible to do so.” It also authorizes state agencies to develop policies that offer a bid preference for PCB-free products and packaging. In addition,
• DES’ Procurement Preference for Products and Product Packaging that Do Not Contain Polychlorinated Biphenyls (PCBs) (POL-DES-280-00)
  • Establishes a minimum 5% bid preference authorized in RCW 39.26.280 for bidders that offer products and packaging contain the lowest concentration of PCBs, when tested. The intent of this policy is to incentivize the state’s contract suppliers to provide products and packaging that do not contain PCBs.

Find these products on statewide contracts

Find products that meet Washington’s green purchasing specifications:

• Contract 06019: Office Supplies

End of life

Surplus goods that still can be used

• Use surplus disposal to get rid of items you no longer need. Keep materials out of landfills and make funds for your agency.

Recycling and disposal

Hazardous waste disposal guidelines and options:

• Department of Ecology: Dispose, recycle, or treat dangerous waste
• Washington Recycles