When university employees make purchasing decisions for supplies and services, they should think about environmental stewardship in addition to managing potential fiscal and social impacts of these decisions. In line with global goals for sustainability, the university emphasizes responsible consumption and production. The State of Maryland also emphasizes green purchasing and administers an environmentally preferable purchasing program that university employees can use to help guide their decisions.
Both the State and the university encourage employees to save money by conserving resources and buying green.
Green Purchasing Tools
The Maryland Green Purchasing Committee has developed tools and specifications to help employees identify and procure environmentally preferable alternatives for common purchases. Use the cards below to navigate to these resources.
Electronics and Other Equipment Purchasing
Maryland employees are required to buy computers, printers, tablets and other electronic and IT products that are certified Gold or Silver by the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT).
Electronics, Equipment and Furniture Disposal
Terrapin Trader handles the removal of surplus university-owned equipment and disposes of it in environmentally responsible ways.
Office Supplies
Maryland employees are required to minimize paper consumption and to look for environmentally-friendly office products like paper, toner, ink cartridges, and writing instruments and other supplies. University policy requires that general purpose office-paper be made from 100% post-consumer recycled content.
Janitorial Supplies and Services
Maryland employees are encouraged to use cleaning products that are non-toxic, free or low in Volatile Organic Compounds, free of asthmagens, biodegradable, and reusable whenever possible.
Food Service
Maryland employees are encouraged to use plates, utensils and other food service products that are reusable when possible or biodegradable when reusable products are not feasible.