GOC VII Live: Plenary Keynote by Chris O'Brian
Chris O'Brien, Director Responsible Purchasing Network "The Responsible Purchasing Network (RPN) is a national network of procurement-related professionals dedicated to socially responsible and environmentally sustainable purchasing. Officially founded in 2005, RPN is a program staffed and managed by the Center for a New American Dream, and advised by a voluntary Steering Committee of leading procurement stakeholders from government, industry, educational institutions, standards setting organizations, and related organizations."Presentation title: "Because every Purchase Matters"Trying to address the problem of letting consumers know what products are 'green' and why they can be designated as such. Companies make claims and Responsible Purchasing Network (RPN) seeks to distinguish which products should qualify and to help with creating green labeling. RPN publishes responsible purchasing guides for: cleaners, computers, paint, office electronics, and fleet vehicles. RPN uses third party certifiers including: Green Seal, Forest Stewardship Council Green-e and others. Products that have widespread consumer appeal and can have a large-scale impact are targeted especially in the guides they publish. RPN also offers a Hybrid Vehicle Calculator to compare hybrid's Vs. conventional vehicles to show costs both economic and environmental to buying a hybrid over a conventional vehicle. Some colleges and universities do have policies in place regarding green purchasing or ethical purchasing policies (University of British Columbia for example) or policies such as only selling organic and fair trade coffee in dining facilities. Are there any examples from your campus or programs that have worked well? Has anyone run up against roadblocks? Let us know!
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