By 2003, thanks to the efforts of Executive Office of Environmental Affairs' State Sustainability Program and other sustainability and climate change organizations across the state, the range of environmental activities implemented by Commonwealth agencies, cities and towns extended beyond purchases of recycled content and other EPPs. The new initiatives included as green house gas emission reduction, waste minimization, water and energy conservation and other sustainable practices.

Learn About EPPs and the EPP Purchasing Program

Environmentally preferable products (EPPs) have become the first choice for many purchasers in recent years because they have developed into high performance, competitively priced products and services with the added value of protecting the environment and public health.

Find Green Products and Services on Statewide Contracts

The Operational Services Division has issued over three dozen statewide contracts containing EPPs. Access the EPPs available on state contract and get instructions on finding what you need on the web.

Visit the EPP Vendor Fair and Conference

2009's Vendor Fair will be held on October 27, 8:00am - 4:00pm, at the DCU Center, Worcester, MA. The EPP Program's signature event brings together over 1,300 federal, state and local procurement officials, fleet and facility managers, and environmental staff. The show also features 160 exhibitors of EPPs, a slate of 10 workshops, breakfast and lunch and a day of fun activities and networking. The EPP Vendor Fair is free to all public sector personnel.


The Massachusetts Environmental Purchasing and Sustainability Awards are presented annually to recognize outstanding efforts in purchasing EPPs and implementing other sustainable practices among Commonwealth public sector entities and businesses.

The first Buy Recycled Awards were presented in 1996 at the Second Annual Buy Recycled Vendor Fair and Conference.

Related Links

* Massachusetts Leading by Example Program
http://www.mass.gov/envir/Sustainable/

* DEP Recycling Information
http://www.mass.gov/dep/recycle/recycle.htm

* EPA Environmentally Preferable Purchasing
http://www.epa.gov/opptintr/epp/

* INFORM -- Strategies for a Better Environment
http://www.informinc.org/

* Responsible Purchasing Network
http://www.responsiblepurchasing.org/