By Kathryn Kretschmer-Weyland
April 2, 2007

Public agencies have led the way when it comes to environmentally sensitive purchasing. This has often been to the detriment of the bottom line, due to the premiums charged for these products. However, in recent years, options for environmentally sensitive acquisitions have increased and prices have fallen. It is now possible to buy green while remaining in the budgetary black ink. By aggregating spending volumes nationwide, public agencies have been able to help increase the product lines and decrease pricing through cooperative purchasing.

The U.S. Conference of Mayors sponsored U.S. Communities program provides significant product offerings for green purchasing. Whether it’s office supplies, paper or toner, lighting and electrical, Energy Star rated appliances and computers, Green Seal certified janitorial supplies, recyclable carpet and flooring, ergonomically correct office and school furniture, environmentally sound playground and recreational equipment, hypoallergenic safety equipment, or environmentally sensitive roofing products and related services, the U.S. Communities team of suppliers provides it all at deep discounts.

U.S. Communities was formed by local government public agencies and five national associations representing local and state governments in order to provide a national cooperative purchasing program that could offer publicly solicited contracts to all public agencies in the United States. Since its inception, U.S. Communities has saved local and state agencies over $500 million cumulatively, and over $100 million in 2005 alone. With 15 commodities contracts now available to cities, counties, schools, special districts, state agencies and non-profit organizations, U.S. Communities continues to be the premier strategic sourcing solution for government. The program is free to public agencies, has no minimum spending requirements and provides a significant procurement tool in the toolbox of local government.

The accompanying chart provides a summary of the green products by category available under the U.S. Communities banner. These same suppliers offer significant pricing, delivery and service savings to participating agencies.

U.S. Communities suppliers often provide separate environmentally friendly product catalogues or highlight their green product offerings within existing catalogues. Public agencies can gain access to these products by visiting www.uscommunities.org, registering to participate and requesting information from their preferred suppliers.

For more information on this and other U.S. Communities offerings, contact Kathryn Kretschmer-Weyland at kweyland@usmayors.org or call 301-351-4350.