The New Environmental Procurement Laws Focus on Waste Reduction and Highlight Textiles
 

New York, NY – Today New York City passed legislation updating the City's Environmental Preferential Purchasing Program (EPP). The proposed changes affect some $20 billion in spending and reform a program that has not been overhauled in 16 years. With ambitious goals that are responsive to our climate emergency, the legislation authored by Council Member Ben Kallos adopts the toughest standards for electronics and furniture that the City purchases. It also overhauls environmental goals and launches a task force on the textiles bought by the City of New York.

 
“We are in the midst of a climate emergency therefore, New York City government has a responsibility to make sure that every penny of our $94 billion budget that is going to the private sector puts the environment first,” said Council Member Ben Kallos, author of New York City’s declaration of a climate emergency. “This legislation has the potential to make New York City an example to the rest of the world on how major cities can use their economic might to help the environment. Thank you to Speaker Johson for working with me on this and being committed to getting it passed.”
 
In 2005, New York City adopted EPP to minimize the environmental impact of municipal government in its role as a consumer. The original law, which set forth strong environmental standards at the time, was not updated through biannual issuance of regulations as originally intended, leaving the city decades behind other states and even the Federal Government.
 
Int. 2271-A  will:

• Adopt Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) – electronics would be assessed based on their effect on the environment receiving rankings of Gold, Silver, or Bronze, under the EPEAT program managed by the Green Electronics Council. This is the highest standard adopted by the Federal government in 2007, Amazon in 2010, and available in 43 countries. The legislation would also require power management software by activated on all city systems where it available.
• More Ambitious Standards – the city would promulgate rules adding new environmental purchasing standards and overhaul others:
  • Net-Zero Greenhouse Gas Emissions (replacing “Decreasing”)
  • Eliminate Reliance on Virgin Materials (New)
  • Eliminate Reliance on Hazardous Substances (replacing “Reduce”)
  • Improve Outdoor Air Quality (New)
  • Reduce the Negative Effects and Generate Positive Effects for Environment (New)
  • Additional standards that would remain: conserve energy and water, increase use of recycled and reused materials, improve indoor air quality, and promote end-of-line management.
• Prohibit the Purchase of Halogen Lamps (expansion from incandescent)
• Adding Furniture to Environmental Purchasing

 Any contract that did not follow EPP would was required to consider the life-cycle cost-effectiveness, which would now be required to be submitted to the Director of Environmental Purchasing prior to awarding the contract. Reporting would be required annually, with all waivers and reports made public by posting them online.
 
Int. 2272-A would establish a taskforce to research and consider other social costs associated with the production of textiles, including the nature of labor conditions along the supply chain. And reporting on:

• whether such textiles are recycled or organic in whole or in part;
• source and supply chain for textiles;
• value of contracts for textile;
• length of use of textiles; and
• disposal.

Textiles are some of the most reusable items in the waste stream and yet they continue to be sent to landfills. Fashion and garment companies across the world – including H&M, Stella McCartney, and Burburry – are committing to moving the industry towards circularity, whether that be by taking responsibility for their products, after customers have finished using them, or by only using materials that can be fully broken down and re-manufactured into new items. As a key player in the international garment industry, New York City is uniquely positioned to lead this important environmental change.