• Paper towels
• Toilet paper
• Facial tissues
• Industrial wipes

Required specifications

Purchasers must include these specifications, unless not possible:

• 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.
• Accordingly, all janitorial paper products must be certified by EITHER Green Seal or UL ECOLOGO AND must meet the applicable minimum post-consumer recycled content (PCRC) percentage in the Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPGs) for Janitorial Paper Products. See EPA CPGs for specific janitorial paper products below:
  • Paper towels: Minimum 40% PCRC
  • Bathroom tissues: toilet paper and toilet seat covers): Minimum 20% PCRC
  • Facial tissues: Minimum 10% PCRC
  • Paper napkins: Minimum 30% PCRC
  • Industrial wipers: Minimum 40% PCRC
• Paper towels and toilet paper must contain 100% total recycled content.

Preferred specifications

Purchasers should include these specifications, unless not possible:

• RCW 43.19A: Recycled Product Procurement set a goal of substantially increasing the state’s purchases of recycled-content products, directs the state to specify, give priority to and/or offer price preferences for products that contain recycled materials.
• DES’ Recycled Content Purchasing Preference Policy (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 that exceeds the EPA CPG minimum.
• Certification by the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), which verifies recycled content and ensures that virgin fibers were grown sustainably.
• Certification by the green-e program, which means the product was manufactured with 100% renewable energy.
• Process chlorine-free (PCF), which means the product was not manufactured or bleached using chlorine gas or elemental chlorine. (Note: Elemental chlorine-free (ECF) is a weaker standard that uses some chlorinated compounds.)
• US EPA Safer Choice or Design for the Environment (DfE) depending if they are for all purpose cleaning or sanitizing.
• Look for paper towel rolls, which are less wasteful than folded paper towels, as well as coreless toilet paper.

Laws, rules, and executive orders

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

• RCW 43.19A: Recycled Product Procurement
• DES’ Recycled Content Purchasing Preference Policy (DES-255-00)
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (EPA CPGs)

Find these products on statewide contracts

Find products that meet Washington’s green purchasing specifications:

• Contract 25723: Green Janitorial Products and 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