Purpose: To reduce the environmental impact of the City’s purchasing decisions by buying goods and services from manufacturers and distributors who share the City’s commitment to the environment; promote markets for environmentally preferable products through employee education; encourage pilot testing of potential new products; adopt innovative product standards, specifications and contracts; and embark on cooperative ventures with other jurisdictions.

The City of Los Angeles began purchasing recycled products as a policy in 1993 with the introduction of the City’s Recycled Products Purchasing Program, which promoted the purchase of goods, supplies, and equipment containing recycled materials. In June 2005, a motion by Councilpersons Smith and Garcetti called upon various departments to explore the possibility of improving the City’s Recycled Products Purchasing Program and Ordinance by incorporating several new factors into the purchase of products. In January 2006, the City Council adopted the legislative recommendations and gave approval to further explore the issue.

For the year 2006-7, approval of the transfer of $367,250 was requested to fund the initial staffing needs and outreach efforts to implement the program.