Responsible Purchasing Network Publications

Order or download a variety of responsible purchasing resources and publications through our secure online resource center.

Responsible Purchasing Guides
Other RPN Publications and Resources
Other Purchasing Publications and Resources

Responsible Purchasing Guides

Responsible Purchasing Guide for Bottled Water
This guide provides information about the impacts of bottled water and the responsible strategies that institutions have used in their bottled water purchasing decisions. It also includes best practices; cost, quality and supply comparisons; sample policies; and handy facts about bottled water.
Free View Online/Download

Responsible Purchasing Guide for Computers
Our guide to purchasing responsible computers covers everything you need to know about how to procure socially and environmentally responsible computers that contain fewer toxic materials, operate more energy efficiently, and are designed for responsible disposal. The Guide includes a brief executive summary; an overview of relevant social and environmental issues; best practices for procuring and using computers; a review of pertinent certifications and standards such as EPEAT; examples of procurement policies and specifications being used by reliable institutions such as the State of California and the US Department of the Interior; and a list of Handy Facts for easy reference to the most important facts and statistics related to computers.
RPN Members: Free Request Copy View Online/Download
Nonmembers: $50.00 Add to Cart

Responsible Purchasing Guide for Cleaners
Our guide to purchasing responsible cleaners covers all the basics needed to procure cleaners that are less damaging to the environment and safer for people. The Guide includes a brief executive summary; an overview of relevant social and environmental issues; best practices for procuring and using green cleaners; a review of pertinent certifications and standards such as Green Seal, Environmental Choice and Design for the Environment; examples of procurement policies and specifications being used by reliable institutions such as the Commonwealth of Massachusetts and the State of New York; and a list of Handy Facts for easy reference to the most important facts and statistics related to green cleaners.
RPN Members: Free View Online/Download

Responsible Purchasing Guide for Faith Communities
The Guide provides key steps congregations can take, outlines ways to undertake each action, and calculates the positive impact of those actions. We selected 8 actions that have a significant environmental impact, help promote social justice, and are easy to implement. Click here for some free excerpts (pdf).
RPN Members: Free Request Copy View Online/Download
Nonmembers: $5.00 Add to Cart

Responsible Purchasing Guide for Fluorescent Lighting
This guide covers fluorescent lamps, including compact fluorescent bulbs, ballasts and tubes and outlines best practices for a responsible lighting system. It also includes a toolbox of impact calculators, a step-by-step CFL buying guide, and a sample policy, spec, and audit form.
RPN Members: Free Request Copy View Online/Download
Nonmembers: $50.00 Add to Cart

Responsible Purchasing Guide for Green Power
Our guide to purchasing responsible green power covers everything you need to know about how to procure electricity that reduces greenhouse gas emissions, improves air quality, conserves water, and reduces hazardous waste. The Guide includes a brief executive summary; an overview of relevant social and environmental issues; best practices for conserving electricity, improving energy efficiency, and procuring green power from grid-delivered suppliers and renewable energy certificates (RECs); a review of pertinent certifications and standards such as Green-e Energy; examples of procurement policies and specifications being used by reliable institutions including the federal government, several state and local governments, and universities and corporations; and a list of Handy Facts for easy reference to the most important facts and statistics related to green power. 
RPN Members: Free Request Copy View Online/Download
Nonmembers: $100.00 Add to Cart

Responsible Purchasing Guide for Light-Duty Fleet Vehicles
Our guide to purchasing responsible light-duty fleet vehicles covers everything you need to know about how to procure socially and environmentally responsible light-duty fleet vehicles that are made with fewer toxic materials, operate more energy efficiently, improve air quality and produce less waste. The Guide includes a brief executive summary; an overview of relevant social and environmental issues; best practices for procuring and using fleet vehicles; a review of pertinent certifications and standards such as the United States EPA and California Emissions Standards; examples of procurement policies and specifications being used by reliable institutions such as California; and a list of Handy Facts for easy reference to the most important facts and statistics related to fleet vehicles.
RPN Members: Free Request Copy View Online/Download
Nonmembers: $100.00 Add to Cart

Responsible Purchasing Guide for Office Electronics
Our guide to purchasing responsible printers, copiers and fax machines covers everything you need to know about how to procure socially and environmentally responsible office electronics that are made with fewer toxic materials, operate more energy efficiently, improve air quality and produce less waste. The Guide includes a brief executive summary; an overview of relevant social and environmental issues; best practices for procuring and using office electronics; a review of pertinent certifications and standards such as ENERGY STAR; examples of procurement policies and specifications being used by reliable institutions such as Arizona and California; and a list of Handy Facts for easy reference to the most important facts and statistics related to office electronics.
RPN Members: Free Request Copy View Online/Download
Nonmembers: $50.00 Add to Cart

Responsible Purchasing Guide for Paint
Our guide to purchasing responsible paint covers everything you need to know about how to procure socially and environmentally responsible paints that are made with fewer toxic materials, improve energy efficiency and improve air quality, and produce less waste. The Guide includes a brief executive summary; an overview of relevant social and environmental issues; best practices for procuring and using paint; a review of pertinent certifications and standards such as Green Seal; examples of procurement policies and specifications being used by reliable institutions such as Connecticut and Minnesota; and a list of Handy Facts for easy reference to the most important facts and statistics related to paint.
RPN Members: Free Request Copy View Online/Download
Nonmembers: $50.00 Add to Cart

Responsible Purchasing Guide for Light-Duty Tires and Wheel Weights

Learn about the responsible purchasing, use, and disposal of tires and wheel weights. This Guide recommends low rolling resistance (LRR) tires, retread tires, and lead-free wheel weights and includes issues associated with conventional tires and wheel-weights; best management practices; a summary of standards for LRR testing methods and quality in retread tires; detailed analysis of cost, quality, and supply; and a comprehensive compilation of model policies and specifications.

RPN Members: Free Request Copy View Online/Download
Nonmembers: $50.00 Add to Cart

Other RPN Publications and Resources

EcoMarkets 2007
EcoMarkets 2007 reports on social and environmental attitudes and practices of North American institutional buyers. The report was produced in partnership by TerraChoice Environmental Marketing Inc., the Responsible Purchasing Network at the Center for a New American Dream, and the North American Green Purchasing Initiative (NAGPI) of the North American Commission for Environmental Cooperation.
Free download with site registration

Graffiti Remover Research and Field Test Report: The Search for Safer Products
This report, a collaborative effort of the Center for a New American Dream and the City of Portland Office of Sustainable Development, describes test methodology in detail, identifies safer products, includes performance results and recommends development of national standards on graffiti removal products.
Free download with site registration

Harnessing the Power of Advanced Fleet Vehicles
This fact sheet for government officials, a collaborative effort of the Center for a New American Dream and the National Association of Counties, includes information on hybrid technology, applications for fleets, costs, benefits, and model availability.
Free download

RPN Webcast: Fluorescent Lighting
This audio/visual recording of RPN’s  November 5, 2007 Webcast: Fluorescent Lighting includes 4 instructional presentations on purchasing lighting products that save on energy costs and reduce mercury releases, and provides tips on managing socially and environmentally responsible lighting systems. The recording includes presentations from RPN, the Green Purchasing Institute, NYC Mayor's Office of Contract Services, and ENERGY STAR.
PDF copies of the PowerPoint presentations are available for download in the Responsible Purchasing Guide for Fluorescent Lighting.
RPN Members: Free Request a copy
Nonmembers: $50.00 Add to Cart

Other Purchasing Resources and Publications

Watch RPN's EPP Video Online

RPN's Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) video is now available for download or viewing online. This nine minute video explores the emerging realm of EPP, an innovative, market-based strategy that is saving money, protecting human health, creating jobs and reducing adverse environmental impacts.
Watch online, or free download

The Competitive Advantage: EcoPurchasing by Sandra Cannon
This book is a persuasive primer on environmentally preferable purchasing for CEOs, directors and purchasers in the public and private sphere.
RPN Members: $30.00, one free copy included in new member kit
Contact us to request additional copy
Nonmembers: $35.00 Add to Cart

The Quick & Easy Guide to Green Cleaning in Schools
This booklet and CD-ROM from our partner, the Healthy Schools Campaign, will help your school develop and implement a successful Green Cleaning Program.
RPN Members: Free Request Copy
Nonmembers: $1.00 s/h Add to Cart

Coin Laundry Association Partnership: Wash in Cold Posters
These posters were developed as a part of New Dream's Carbon Conscious Consumer campaign and the partnership developed with the Coin Laundry Association.

Download:

English - black and white (145kb)	English - color (73kb)
Spanish - black and white (141 kb)	Spanish - color (70kb)