Spring means thinking green

Do you buy “green”?

The Army does. Buying green isn’t just the latest marketing tool or fad. It’s mandated by presidential executive orders all the way down to Army policy, said Pat Rippey, environmental scientist in the U.S. Army Public Health Command (Provisional) Army Institute of Public Health’s Groundwater and Solid Waste Program.

The Army policy, Establishment of the Army Green Procurement Program, detailing buying green was developed by Beth Martin, GWSW Program manager.

The Army Installation Green Procurement Guide, also authored by Ms. Martin, was issued last December as a policy alert by the Office of the Deputy Assistant Secretary of the Army for Procurement.

The guide provides implementation guidance, Ms. Martin said. It suggests responsibilities, contains information on finding green products, and assists contract developers in defining contract requirements that satisfy green procurement mandates and objectives.

Most people are not sure what green means, but Ms. Rippey said a green product provides environmental and/or health benefits over a traditional product.

“For example,” she said, “a product may contain fewer hazardous ingredients, use materials extracted from the waste stream, or conserve resources. Some examples are biobased cleaning products, mercury-free medical devices, recycled-content paper and energy-efficient light bulbs.”

Experts also said buying green is good for overall employee health.

“Occupational exposures can result from the use of hazardous materials and cleaners, and by purchasing green cleaners for use in appropriate areas of our hospitals, we may be able to prevent exposures and better protect our employees’ health,” said Linda Baetz, Hazardous and Medical Waste Program manager.

“The Army Medical Command has established a headquarters sustainability team and is examining sustainability ideas; reducing energy use and switching to greener cleaning products are just two of the initiatives being investigated,” Ms. Baetz said. “Our role is to help by developing policy and guidelines to help installations and medical facilities make good choices.”

“Green Procurement” refers to the federal programs that afford designated products preferred procurement and aligns well with the Army’s triple bottom line of mission, community and environment, Ms. Rippey said.

“Choosing green products to replace hazardous or inefficient ones provides a healthier, more sustainable environment for Soldiers, civilians and their families,” she said.

The bottom line is that buying green means more time for the mission and a healthier place to live and work.