Environmentally Preferable Purchasing for Rhode Island
Four
Sample EPProducts
These four products exemplify common state
agency purchases that can reduce greenhouse gas emissions significantly.
Carbon accounting is becoming increasingly important
as nations and states attempt to reduce their climate change impact. In
each case the EPPproduct costs less than or equal to
the conventional product.
(MTCE= Metric Ton Carbon Equivalent, a unit of greenhouse
gas)
Purchasing*
1000 rolls of 100% recycled toilet paper saves
32.8 MTCE**
compared with
purchasing virgin
toilet tissue.
Purchasing* 1000 remanufactured
toner cartridges saves
3.6 MTCE
compared with purchasing virgin cartridges.
Purchasing* 1000 reams
of 30% recycled-content paper saves
2.0 MTCE**
compared with purchasing virgin paper.
Purchasing*
1000 retread tires saves
73.5 MTCE
compared with purchasing
conventional tires.
** Value is directly from referenced sources below
Energy Units and Equivalents (the following units are from EPA
WARM model assumptions):
• Producing 1 kWh of electricity is associated with 0.98 lbs. of CO2 emissions.
• Burning 1 gallon of gasoline in an internal combustion engine is associated with 19.56 lbs. of COs emissions (therefore, 1 lb. of CO2 is produced by burning 0.0511 gal. of gasoline).
• Conversion factor for ton of CO2 to MTCE is based on the molecular weights of COs (44) and Carbon (12): 1 metric ton of carbon dioxide equivalent * 12/44 = 0.2727 MTCE
• 1 kWh of electricity is generated with 3,412 BTU, 1 barrel of oil (42 gallons, 164 qts) produces 5.8 million BTU; so one gallon of oil produces 138,095 BTU, or can generate 40.5 kWh
• 3.67 MTCO2E = 1MTCE
•
1 metric ton = 1.1023 short tons = 2,204.6 pounds
Calculations for assumptions above:
• 1 kWh
is associated with = 1/2205lb/MT * 1 lb. of CO2 emissions * 1/ 3.67 =
.00012 MTCE
• One gallon of
oil produces 40.5 kWh or .0049 MTCE
References for Calculations:
Janitorial Paper References:
www.toiletpaperworld.com
www.mass.state.gov.us/osd/enviro/info
Toner Cartridge References:
www.imaginerecyclingit.com/fact.htm
www.lasersavinc.com/recyindustry.html
Office Paper References:
www.epa.gov/wastewise/pubs
www.litterchamp.tripod.com/recycle
www.epa.gov/wastewise/climate
Retread Tires:
www.epa.gov/eposwer/non-hw/recycle/jtr/comm
www.epa.gov/cpg/products/retread.htm
Calculating Greenhouse Gases:
www.eiolca.net
www.newamericandream.org
www.epa.gov/globalwarming/actions/waste/usersguide.htm
An attempt at exact figures for the state of Rhode Island was made, but the information was not made availible for this project. Currently, the state has contracted SilverOak Solutions to refine state spending. Their analysis will look at savings over the next three years and will not emphasize environmental attributes or costs beyond that three year period.
Click here for downloadable EPA Fact Sheets on the 8 purchasing catagories specified in the their Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines including recommended recycled materials levels for 54 products!