Challenges Facing Californians

Environmental Sustainability

Being environmentally sustainable is to meet "current human needs without undermining the capacity of the environment to provide for those needs over the long term." [1] To achieve environmental sustainability, we must shop more responsibly. "The state, through environmentally preferable purchasing, has the ability to protect human health and environmental well-being by promoting goods and services that result in reduced waste and pollutants." [2]

Each year, our State's population increases by about 462,000. [3] This creates more demand for energy, water, and materials, puts more strain on our transportation infrastructure and land resources, as well as increases pollution, air emissions, and waste. To help ensure a better future, we must use our resources more effectively. It's a question of being smarter about how we use our resources, rather than doing without.

That is why Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) is important to each and every citizen of California. This guide will help you select products that offer best value, not only in terms of cost and performance, but for the health of fellow employees and our environment ... and our families. Everyone makes a difference.