• Fences
• Lawn and garden edging
• Lumber
• Picnic tables
• Playground equipment

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, and authorizes state agencies to specify, give priority to and offer price preferences for products that contain recycled materials.
• 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.”
• Bidders shall offer, to the greatest extent practicable, landscaping timbers and posts that meet EPA’s Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines for Landscaping Products, which recommend:
  • Lawn and garden edging with at least 30% post-consumer recycled (PCR) rubber or plastics.
  • Landscaping timbers and posts with at least 25% PCR HDPE plastic, at least 50% PCR mixed plastics (alone or with sawdust) or at least 75% PCR plastic or fiberglass.

Preferred specifications

Purchasers should include these specifications, unless not possible:

• 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.

Things to avoid

Purchasers should avoid these specifications whenever possible:

• EO 20-01: State Efficiency and Environmental Performance (SEEP) states that “reducing…the use of dangerous toxics in the products state agencies purchase will all have a direct positive effect on human health, particularly for vulnerable children.”
• EO 04-01: Persistent Toxic Chemicals limits state purchasing of products that contain persistent, bioaccumulative and toxic (PBT) chemicals.
• Therefore, state agencies should avoid specifying and purchasing products made of PVC (vinyl) as well as timbers that contain arsenic, pentachlorophenol or creosote wood preservatives, which are highly persistent and toxic chemicals.

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)
• EO 04-01: Persistent Toxic Chemicals
• U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (EPA CPGs)
• U.S. EPA’s Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines for Landscaping Products
• RCW 43.19A: Recycled Product Procurement
• DES’ Recycled Content Purchasing Preference Policy (POL-DES-255-00)

Find these products on statewide contracts

Find products that meet Washington’s green purchasing specifications:

• Contract 15122: Parks and Recreation Equipment and Related Services

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