This digest provides resources for purchasing sustainable products. Use the resources to identify environmental considerations for products and services, where to obtain more information, and the rationale for purchasing sustainably.
Please contact the procurement team with any questions.
Sustainable procurement directory
This resource provides Practice Greenhealth members with guidance on more than 120 products and services health care organizations can target for sustainable procurement.
Medical products
When purchasing medical products, identify the sustainability criteria through either the directory above or through resources listed in this digest. Product criteria may identify opportunities to use less, avoid chemicals of concern, increase waste reduction opportunities, or advance energy and water efficiency, providing the best value to health care organizations.
- Anesthetic gas: Use the resource to identify how to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by using less or eliminating the use of desflurane anesthetic gas.
- Blood pressure devices: Find resources on purchasing reusable blood pressure devices.
- Breast pumps and accessories: Use the resource to specify devices that are PVC/DEHP-free.
- Compression therapy sleeves: Use the resource to specify compression therapy sleeves that are reprocessed. Meet the goal to collect and purchase 20% reprocessed non-invasive devices compare to total.
- Smarter purchasing challenge: Medical device reprocessing
- Implementation module: Medical device reprocessing
- Endotracheal tubes: Use the resource to specify devices that are PVC/DEHP-free.
- Exam gloves: Use the resource to specify gloves that are PVC/DEHP-free.
- Face and oxygen masks: Use the resource to specify masks that are PVC/DEHP-free.
- Gastrointestinal tubes: Use the resource to specify gastrointestinal tubes that are PVC/DEHP-free.
- Laryngeal mask airways: Use the resource to specify laryngeal mask airway devices that are free of PVC/DEHP.
- Nasal cannulas: Use the resource to specify nasal cannulas that are free of PVC and DEHP.
- Nasogastric tubes: Use the resource to specify nasogastric tubes that are free of PVC and DEHP.
- Non-rebreather face masks: Use the resource to specify face masks that are free of PVC and DEHP.
- Tracheostomy tubes: Use the resource to specify tracheostomy tubes that are free of PVC and DEHP.
- Parenteral infusion devices and sets: Use the resource to specify infusion devices and sets that are free of PVC and DEHP.
- Pulse oximetry: Find resources on purchasing reusable pulse oximeter sensors.
- Respiratory tubes: Use the resource to specify and purchase respiratory tubes that are free of PVC and DEHP.
- Sterilization and disinfection: Use the resource to find out the pros and cons of various cleaning chemicals to inform purchasing decisions.
- Thermometers: Use the resource to specify and purchase mercury-free thermometers.
- Urological, general: Use the resource to specify and purchase general urological devices that are free of PVC and DEHP.
- Vascular catheters: Use this resource to specify vascular catheters that are free of PVC and DEHP.
Non-medical products
- Building materials: For any building design, construction or remodeling contracts, specify materials that enhance the building interior and reduce exposure to chemicals of concern and minimize energy and water use.
- Cabinetry
- Cubicle curtains
- Faucets and accessories
- Lighting
- Fluorescent
- General
- Surgical
- LED surgical lights – RFI/RFP environmental disclosure questions
- Department of Energy technical guidance
- Disinfectants (surface)
- Fleet/autos: Reduce your organizations carbon footprint by purchasing fuel efficient or alternatively-fueled vehicles. But there are more ways to reduce impact with fleet.
- Purchasing fuel efficient vehicles (Department of Energy)
- Sample EPP criteria for autos (State of California)
- EPA's lead-free wheel weights initiative
- Floor cleaning
- Mops
- Floor finishes and strippers
- Floor cleaners, general
- Floor cleaning equipment
- Furniture
- Gloves
- Hand cleaners, hand hygiene
- Imaging equipment (copiers, printers, multi-functional devices)
- Janitorial cleaners
- Green cleaning
- Sample specification (Alameda County)
- Landscape irrigation controls
- LEED for health care
- Mobile phones
- Paper towels and tissue
- Paper, copy
- Personal care
- Office supplies
- Transportation: When purchasing services or products with frequent delivery, require suppliers be an EPA SmartWay Partner, or use freight carriers that are to reduce impact from fuel use.
Professional services
When purchasing professional services, identify the sustainability criteria for RFIs/RFPs or value analysis through the resources below. Criteria for services may identify chemicals of concern, waste reduction strategies, or corporate sustainability opportunities the service must meet to provide value to your health care organization.
- Construction and demolition recycling: Use the resource to specify recycling services for construction and demolition debris.
- Integrated pest management services: Use the available resources to specify integrated pest management services to reduce public health risks to staff, patients, and visitors from the use of pesticides.
- Integrated pest management webpage
- Environmental considerations for integrated pest management
- Landscape services: Specify landscape maintenance services that supports a healthy environment.
- Laundry cleaning services: Specify more sustainable laundry services to reduce impacts to water quality in the community.
- Vending: Specify environmental considerations for vending machines to provide healthy food for staff, patients, and visitors.
Food
Practice Greenhealth offers comprehensive sustainable purchasing guidance and environmental criteria for product categories including but not limited to:
- Bakery/baked goods
- Beverages
- Dairy
- Dry goods
- Eggs
- Meat
- Oils and shortenings
- Poultry
- Produce
- Seafood
For a complete list see "Accepted certifications and label claims by product category."
Food service products and services
- Food service distribution
- Food production (ovens, steamers, kettles, etc.)
- Food serviceware: Generally, there are several choices when it comes to purchasing sustainable foodware. When purchasing foodware, consider the following:
- First choice: Reusable foodware
- Second choice: Compostable without fluorinated chemicals (when composting exists)
- Third choice: Recyclable foodware
- Overview
- Purchasing criteria
- Environmental considerations for disposable food service ware
- Environmental considerations for dietary plastic kits
- Guide to purchasing PFAS-free food service ware
- Vendor lists
- Compostable foodware without fluorinated chemicals (CEH)
- Certified compostable products (Biodegradable Products Insitute)
- Recyclable and compostable food ware (City of San Francisco)
- Pre-rinse spray valves
