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Irrigation Equipment
Green purchasing guidance for irrigation equipment, including:
- Irrigation controllers
- Soaker hoses
- Spray sprinkler bodies
Required specifications
Purchasers must include these specifications, unless not possible:
- Irrigation controllers and spray sprinkler bodies must be certified by U.S. EPA’s WaterSense Program.
- RCW 43.19A: Recycled Product Procurement set 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 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.”
Therefore, bidders shall offer, to the greatest extent practicable soaker hoses made of at least 60% post-consumer recycled rubber or plastic (e.g., used tiers), which complies with the EPA’s CPG for Landscaping Products. - Products may not be made of vinyl (polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
Preferred specifications
Purchasers should include these specifications, unless not possible:
- Offer non-cost points to landscape professionals that commit to using products meeting or exceeding the environmental and health standards listed above; and/or have earned the U.S. EPA’s WaterSense Program’s Landscape Irrigation Professional Certification.
- Recycled Content Purchasing Preference Policy (POL-DES-255-00) directs state agencies to offer a purchasing preference of at least 10% to bidders whose products have a recycled-content percentage that exceeds the EPA CPG minimum.
- Bidders whose products have a higher than 60% recycled content are eligible for a purchasing preference of at least 10%.
Things to avoid
Purchasers should avoid these specifications whenever possible:
- Products may not be made of vinyl (polyvinyl chloride (PVC).
Laws, rules, and executive orders
These laws, rules, and executive orders must be included in the contract language:
- EO 20-01: State Efficiency and Environmental Performance (SEEP)
- RCW 43.19A: Recycled Product Procurement
- Recycled Content Purchasing Preference Policy (POL-DES-255-00)
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (EPA CPGs)
- EPA’s CPG for Landscaping Products
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