Policy Tools and Model Ordinances

Tompkins County Solid Waste encourages all schools to adopt a green purchasing policy that will increase green purchasing practices throughout the district. Buying materials with recycled content helps close the recycling loop, creating a market for the waste that it recycles. Goods produced with recycled content also require less energy for manufacturing and help conserve our natural resources. 

According to New York State Law, all schools in the state are required to use environmentally sensitive cleaning and maintenance supplies as of September 1, 2006. This regulation is designed to protect both the health of the school's population, and the health of the environment. By adopting a green purchasing policy that includes both cleaning supplies and other office goods, schools can lead by example, showing its faculty, staff, and students, and the surrounding community, the importance of buying green.

The following list of recommendations is designed to provide an idea of possible green purchasing requirements that may be found in a formal policy. Please feel free to include any or all of these requirements into such a policy.

• Purchase all paper products, including office paper, envelopes, file folders, and post-it notes, with a minimum of 30% post-consumer content.
• Choose to buy reusable, refillable goods over disposable materials.
• Only purchase markers, highlighters, and pens that contain non-toxic ink.
• Whenever possible, seek to purchase office supplies with recycled content.
• Recycle all ink jet and toner cartridges, and seek to purchase remanufactured or refilled cartridges.

For more information on green purchasing, please visit the Finger Lakes Buy Green website.