Responsible Purchasing Network (RPN) is an international network of buyers dedicated to socially responsible and environmentally sustainable purchasing. Our membership program and consulting services provide institutional purchasers with cutting edge procurement tools and resources designed to save money, conserve resources, reduce waste, and improve efficiency. To learn about membership benefits and consulting services, please click here.

New and Prospective Member Orientation Webinar Slides Now Available

In case you missed RPN's New and Prospective Member Orientation webinar, the presentation slides are now accessible on the RPN site.  More

New and Improved Paper Standards Chart

RPN's latest publication, a Paper Standards Comparison Chart, has been revised based on member feedback to include more background information on different paper certifications. This revision will make the acquisition of environmentally preferable paper easier by providing a clearer picture of the eco-labels that certify them.  More

Center for a New American Dream and RPN Receive Green Business Certification

Montgomery County, Maryland awarded the Center for a New American Dream their new Green Business Certification. A press conference held December 16 showcased the inaugural group of 11 organizations operating in Montgomery County that were successfully audited against 244 environmental criteria in areas such as environmentally responsible purchasing, waste reduction and recycling, pollution prevention, energy efficiency and renewable energy, water use, and transportation.  More

Director's Corner: Looking Back on 2009

The end of 2009 fittingly will close with RPN becoming one of the inaugural certified green businesses recognized by Montgomery County, Maryland, where we are based, and being invited to take part in the launch press conference.  More

Bottled Water Ban at Brown University

Brown University became the first Ivy League school to pledge to stop using bottled water. Within a year, the school hopes to reduce bottled water usage from 250,000 bottles to 0.  More

ICLEI Launches New Carbonn Climate Center with UNEP

ICLEI (Local Governments for Sustainability) and UNEP (United Nations Environment Programme) have joined together to create the Bonn Center for Local Climate Action and Reporting-- carbonn. The new program will help municipalities report and compare their greenhouse gas emissions.  More

Director's Corner: Saving Green--Money and Resources--Through Purchasing

In today's economic climate, all organizations need to improve their bottom line, and RPN is working to provide information that will help you reduce purchasing costs and increase your savings. RPN is conducting a survey that will be the basis for our upcoming "Saving Green" Purchasing Guide, which will focus on how purchasers can save money and resources, and we invite you to contribute to its success by filling out the questionnaire when it arrives in your e-mail box.  More