Green Libraries

This website was created to share the tools and resources that guide Multnomah County's sustainable purchasing decisions.

These policies are examples of more comprehensive policies covering a wide array of goods and services. They include policies from federal, state, county, and local government agencies.

NERC has completed its Simplifying Environmentally Preferable Purchasing project, which was funded by the Roy A. Hunt Foundation. As part of the project, NERC developed Model Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) Specifications and Purchasing Guidelines for paper, toner cartridges, and office supplies. NERC also created fact sheets on each of the EPP Model documents, and a press release about the newly developed resources. In addition, NERC presented a webinar on the importance of EPP and the EPP model documents.

These sustainable purchasing resources are intended to assist public agencies in developing and implementing sustainable purchasing best practices at their organization. Whether your agency is just getting started or is looking to enhance a mature sustainable purchasing program, there are resources on these pages to assist you. Includes purchasing guides, policy templates, compliant product lists, and cooperative contracting.

Have you thought about the environmental impact of the swag items that you provide at library programs and other events? From the raw materials used to create the items, to the way that they are used, to their ultimate disposal, promotional items have an effect on people and the planet. Libraries that purchase sustainable swag consider the social, environmental, and economic impacts of the materials that they buy. The rubric below can help you evaluate the sustainability of the promotional materials your library purchases.

Vendors that purchase sustainable swag consider the social, environmental, and economic impacts of the materials that
they buy. The rubric below can help you evaluate the sustainability of the promotional materials your organization purchases.