Webinar videos and presentations that are available to RPN members only are designated by
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Coming Soon!Green Paint Green Carpeting Green Lighting ... and many more! |
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RPN Webinar: Advancing Safer Chemistry in Government Procurement - April 4, 2013Governments are among the largest institutional purchasers and can have a large influence in the marketplace for more sustainable products. Federal, state, and local policies are increasingly requiring government agencies to purchase less toxic products such as certified low-toxicity cleaners and paint, low-emitting furniture and building supplies, and low-mercury lighting equipment. This webinar covered:
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RPN Webinar: Spotlight on EPA's Design for the Environment (DfE) Program - March 14, 2013Please Note: Due to technical issues, the recording of the webinar is not yet available. We are working on getting the recording posted as soon as we can. We apologize for the inconvenience. For over 15 years, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Design for the Environment (DfE) Program has worked with a broad range of stakeholders, including NGOs, product manufacturers, and chemical manufacturers, to help manufacturers choose the safest possible ingredients and to help consumers find safer products. Products that meet DfE’s stringent Standard for Safer Products are allowed to carry the DfE logo.
Many of RPN’s members have posed questions to us about this program (e.g., how it compares to other similar program such as Green Seal and EcoLogo). This was an opportunity to hear first-hand from DfE staff about how their program works and ask them questions directly. This webinar featured:
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RPN Webinar: Public Procurement of Energy-Efficient Products: Lessons from Around the World- Feb 20, 2013Energy efficiency is arguably the most popular attribute public agencies seek when purchasing environmentally responsible products. This is largely because energy-efficient products often yield measurable environmental benefits and cost savings. In the U.S., ENERGY STAR is the most widely recognized eco-label, making the process of procuring energy-efficient products relatively easy. Representatives from the World Bank, U.S. EPA’s ENERGY STAR Program and the District of Columbia’s procurement office discussed key elements of a successful program for procuring energy-efficient products, including product testing and labeling systems, policy drivers, educational strategies, and incentives to bring about behavior change, tracking and reporting systems, and more.
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RPN Webinar: Saving the Planet, One Paper Towel at a Time - Dec 5, 2012Choices we make about paper towel and tissue purchases can protect forests and water quality as well as reduce energy consumption and pollution. Join the Responsible Purchasing Network for a webinar on responsible paper towel and tissue sourcing – to separate fact from "pulp fiction." Representatives from World Wildlife Fund, Conservatree, the City of Santa Monica, and RPN will discuss key issues and practical solutions to help institutional purchasers identify greener paper towel and tissue products.
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RPN Webinar: Office Products Roundtable - Oct 31, 2012Please Note: Due to a technical glitch, the entirety of the webinar was not recorded. We are working on re-recording that portion of the webinar and will make this available as soon as we can. We apologize for the inconvenience. Representatives from some of the leading office supplies stores including Office Depot, Staples, and Independent Stationers discussed their efforts to help institutional purchasers identify green alternatives.
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RPN Webinar: New Member Orientation and Products That Save Money - Sept 19, 2012Whether you are a new RPN member or thinking about becoming a member, please check out RPN's orientation webinar plus a discussion on green products that save money. We discussed all of the sustainable procurement resources available to RPN members and some basic strategies to get you started such as creating an environmentally preferable purchasing (EPP) policy, setting up an effective green purchasing program, and prioritizing contracts that are likely to yield environmental and economic benefits. This webinar covered:
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RPN Webinar: Biobased Products in the U.S. - June 4, 2012
Hosted by the Sustainable Biomaterials Collaborative, Responsible Purchasing Network, and USDA BioPreferred Program, this live webinar explores biobased products procurement. Learn from experts how U.S. federal laws and regulations create demand for biobased products, including the very recent Presidential Memorandum. View existing purchasing specs for compostable food serviceware to see what questions purchasers should ask to find the most environmentally preferable choices. And hear from a government procurer about the variety of biobased products they purchase and how they balance their environmental wants with performance needs.
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RPN Webinar: Cutting-Edge Eco-Labels: Green-e - March 8, 2012
The manufacturing of products using coal and other fossil fuels as a power source consumes significant amounts of non-renewable resources and emits a wide range of toxic pollutants, including “greenhouse gases” that can contribute to climate change. Join RPN for our upcoming webinar to learn about an innovative program developed by Green-e that certifies products manufactured with 100% renewable energy such as solar or wind power. Green-e is a certification program run by the Center for Resource Solutions, which certifies renewable energy, carbon offsets, and companies and products that use renewable energy. There will be an extended Q&A to allow ample time for purchasers and sustainability staff to ask questions about how to utilize this eco-label to identify and procure products with a reduced climate impact.
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RPN Webinar: Green Purchasing 101 and New/Prospective Member Orientation - January 19, 2012
Whether you are already an RPN member or simply made a New Year’s resolution to purchase more environmentally responsible products for your organization, please check out RPN's Orientation Webinar and introduction to sustainable purchasing. This webinar covered:
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RPN Webinar: Purchasing for Water Efficiency - November 8, 2011
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RPN Members and organizations within EPA Regions 1, 4, 7, and 9 (see table below) can watch or download the presentation slides and recording. Please email RPN Manager, Phillip Kobernick to access the webinar recording if you do not already have an RPN login. Non-members may access the presentation slides only.
RPN Members and Organizations in EPA Regions (1, 4, 7, and 9):
Watch Online or Download Slides/Video
Non-Members:
Download Slides Only
Click here for additional answers to questions not covered during the webinar for timing reasons.
REGION 1: Connecticut, Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Rhode Island, Vermont,
REGION 4: Alabama, Florida, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi, North Carolina, South Carolina, Tennessee
REGION 7; Iowa, Kansas, Nebraska, Missouri,
REGION 9: Arizona, California, Hawai’i, Nevada
This webinar was offered as part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Regional Pollution Prevention Program Offices' Source Reduction Assistance Grant Program. Please visit responsiblepurchasing.org/buildings for more information or to apply for project assistance.
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Existing buildings are a major contributor to Americans’ environmental impact. According to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency, in addition to producing 18 percent of greenhouse gas emissions, existing commercial buildings in the public and private sector:
However, with procurement choices and smart operations, building owners and occupants can dramatically improve their environmental footprint.
The webinar covered:
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RPN may be able to provide additional technical assistance to webinar participants in the Northeast, Southeast, and Midwest (EPA Regions 1, 4, and 7) who are working on results-oriented green purchasing projects for existing buildings. Please visit responsiblepurchasing.org/buildings for more information.
This webinar was offered as part of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Regional Pollution Prevention Program Offices' Source Reduction Assistance Grant Program.
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Let the Responsible Purchasing Network help you stay on top of the latest developments with Underwriters Laboratories Environment (ULE). During this Webinar, participants learned more about the most extensive and fastest growing certification organization and how it can help purchasers find products with meaningful environmental attributes.
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This comprehensive Webinar is geared to both experienced "green" purchasers and those just getting started and covered important aspects of a successful food service ware program from an environmental purchasing perspective, and explained how to conduct product performance testing. It will provided detailed purchasing specifications, useful resources, and successful case studies. Compostable food service ware includes biobased bowls, cups, plates, clamshells, and cutlery.
The Webinar covered:
- An introduction to compostable biobased food service ware
- An overview of the importance of sustainable biomass feedstocks, toxic-free additives, and compostability
- A description of recently created purchasing specifications (BioSpecs) for this product category
- A summary of important certifications and other useful resources for purchasers
- How to prepare for and conduct product performance testing for your organizations' needs
- Successful case studies from public and private sector organizations
Speakers included:
- Brenda Platt, SBC (www.sustainablebiomaterials.org)
- Alicia Culver, RPN (www.responsiblepurchasing.org)
- Susan Kinsella, Conservatree (www.conservatree.org) and RPN
RPN and SBC are looking for partners to pilot test its new BioSpecs for Purchasers. For more information, please email RPN.
RPN Members can watch or download the presentation slides and recording.
RPN Members:
Watch Online or Download Slides/Video
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The Webinar covered helpful resources that are available for purchasers from AASHE and RPN, how to track your sustainability progress with the Sustainability Tracking and Rating System (STARS), and also featured guest speakers from two successful programs.
Speakers included:
- Meghan Fay Zahniser, STARS Program Manager, AASHE
- Phillip Kobernick, Manager, RPN
- Chris O'Brien, Director of Sustainability, American University
- Laurie Cousart, Director of Sustainability, and Colleen Reardon, Strategic Sourcing Manager, the University of Pennsylvania
RPN Members can watch or download the presentation slides and recording.
RPN Members:
Watch Online or Download Slides/Video
For more information:
RPN - http://www.responsiblepurchasing.org/
AASHE - http://www.aashe.org/
University of Pennsylvania - www.upenn.edu/sustainability
American University - www.american.edu/finance/sustainability/
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In this Webinar, Alicia Culver, Director of the Responsible Purchasing Network, helped schools learn how to spot false “green” marketing claims (“greenwashing”) and procure products that have substantiated environmental benefits. She also gave examples of schools that have reduced chemical exposures and saved money by pilot testing – and ultimately purchasing – certified “green” cleaning products and asthma-safe disinfectants. In addition, Virginia Hyatt, Purchasing Director of the Santa Monica-Malibu Unified School District described steps it has taken to improve the environmental sustainability of the districts' facilities.
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Whether you are a new RPN member, or someone who is wondering how to purchase more green products for your organization, please join the Responsible Purchasing Network (RPN) for our Orientation Webinar.
We will be discussing all of the green procurement resources available to RPN members and some basic strategies to get you started such as creating an environmentally preferable purchasing (EPP) policy and how to prioritize green products.
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Procurement practices often have global implications. Nowhere is this clearer than in measuring and reducing the greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions associated with the products we buy.
This webinar recording will help purchasing agents and policy-makers who are seeking to reduce their organization’s carbon footprint as well as their budget.
The Webinar covered:
Speakers:
RPN Members can watch download the presentation slides and recording.
RPN Members: Watch Online or Download Slides/Video ![]()
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The Webinar accompanies the release of the 2010 Responsible Purchasing Report for NASPO. Watch the webinar to learn how state purchasers are spending at least $3-6.9 billion on responsible products and services every year.
The Webinar covered:
- Results from the 2010 Green Purchasing Survey, including annual spending on green goods, policies, product prioritization, tracking and reporting, and more.
- RPN publications such as Responsible Purchasing Guides, calculators, the Model Responsible Purchasing Report and other resources and tips to assist environmentally preferable purchasing.
Webinar speakers included:
- Christine Warnock, Chief Procurement Officer from the State of Washington
- John Utterback, State Purchasing Director from the State of Colorado
- Alicia Culver, Responsible Purchasing Network
- Phillip Kobernick, Responsible Purchasing Network
Results from the 2010 Green Purchasing Survey have been developed into the "2010 Responsible Purchasing Trends Report - NASPO Edition," available to NASPO-RPN members here.
RPN Members have access to the entire Webinar recording.
RPN Members: Download Slides/Video
The 2010 Responsible Purchasing Report, which surveyed the sustainable purchasing among all RPN members is available here to RPN members and non-members for free.
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Download now: Entire recording (WMV)
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ENERGY STAR, an eco-label run collaboratively by the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the U.S. Department of Energy (DOE), which certifies energy-efficient products, is widely recognized and used, according to a 2009 RPN Trends Report. Any changes in this cornerstone eco-label are of interest to those looking to make more energy-efficient purchases.
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According to the 2009 RPN Trends Report, less than a quarter of RPN Members publish a Responsible Purchasing Report. RPN advises its members to publish reports at least annually in order to communicate program successes.
This Webinar covered:
- The RPN Model Responsible Purchasing Report
- How to track purchases
- How to calculate costs and environmental benefits
- How to convey environmental and social benefits in a report
Speakers included:
- Vincent Kitira, RPN Manager, to give details on the RPN Model Report and give an introduction on how to track purchases
- Eric Nelson, King County Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) Program Manager, to discuss their award-winning EPP program and exemplary Annual EPP Reports
- Sandra Cannon, U.S. Department of Energy EPP Program, will explain EPP tracking methods
- Donna Chralowicz, City of San Diego Recycling Specialist, to discuss the work that goes into their EPP Program's Annual Report
Non-members can download the Webinar presentation slides only.
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RPN Members have access to the entire Webinar recording, including presentation slides.
RPN Members: View Online or Download Slides/Video

Slides from the January 21 Responsible Purchasing Webinar: New and Prospective Member Orientation are now available for download. The webinar featured the following speakers:
Jonathan Cohen; Director of Workplace Programs, Center for a New American Dream Vincent Kitira; RPN Manager
Phillip Kobernick; RPN Fellow
The slides highlight the benefits of RPN membership, including:

This webinar covered new developments in the world of greener office electronics and computers. The webinar accompanied the release of the updates to two Responsible Purchasing Guides, Office Electronics and Computers.
The webinar speakers consisted of:


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This Guide provides schools with all the resources they need to eliminate bottled water and transition to municipal tap water with bottled water alternatives such as filters, fountains, bottle-less coolers and reusable containers. The Guide also contains an extensive list of school’s that have expelled bottled water from their campuses and several policy samples.
The webinar speakers consisted of:
This Webinar focused on the power of cooperative contracts and group purchasing consortia to lower transaction costs, aggregate purchasing power and shift the marketplace toward environmentally preferable products.
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This webinar focused on LED Lights where participants learned how to: write and evaluate bid specifications for the most energy efficient LED products available , calculate cost and energy savings of LED products, recognize prevalent and reliable LED standards, understand the benefits and costs of different LED projects, and message your successes to stakeholders. Presentations include:

This webinar informs people why carbon offsets can be an important part of an institutional climate action plan and cover topics such as: evaluate and source different carbon offset providers, recognize prevalent and reliable carbon offset standards, understand the cost and supply of different offset projects, specify services needed from carbon offset providers, and message carbon mitigation strategies. Presentations include:


This webinar offers a cornucopia of strategies and resources for establishing an institutional green dining program, reducing waste, and sourcing local and sustainable food .Presentations include:

This webinar featured the findings from the RPN 2009 Responsible Purchasing Trends Report and best practices and case studies by four of the country’s leading responsible purchasing pioneers. Presentations include:

This webinar provided up to date information and recommendations on responsible use and purchasing of office cleaning products and will feature relevant case studies. Presentations include:

This webinar teaches the environmental impacts of bottled water and the responsible strategies that institutions can use to reduce and replace bottled water procurement with case studies from organizations that have eliminated bottled water procurement and made the switch to bottle-free alternatives. Presentations include:

This webinar covered topics including how to reduce environmental impacts throughout the lifecycle of copy paper, best practices, example procurement policies and bid specs for copy paper. Presentations include:


This webinar provided information on remanufactured toner cartridges with emphasis on quality control techniques, leading industry standards, and case studies from leading institutions. Presentations include:


This webinar teaches best practices for computer purchasing, use, end-of-life, and EPEAT certification. Presentations include:


This webinar provided information on responsible electricity use and procurement, with emphasis on purchasing grid-delivered green power and renewable energy certificates (RECs). Presentations include:


This webinar included an update on the low-rolling resistance (LRR) tire marketplace, an explanation of retread tires, and the King County DOT's experience in using lead-free wheel weights. Presentations include:


This webinar instructed on greenhouse gas management by fleets. Participants learned how improvements in fuel economy, fleet management, and procurement can reduce emissions, improve energy security, and save money. Presentations include:

This webinar covered: leading trends in purchasing and managing responsible fleet vehicles and fuels; best practices, model policies, costs, and environmental performance issues; and fleet case studies of biofuels and hybrid vehicles. Presentations include:
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Fluorescent Lighting: November 5, 2007
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Purchasing Responsible Office Electronics: July 24, 2007
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