Climate

Seattle is taking action to prevent one of the biggest threats to the future of our city and the planet - global warming. Through Seattle Climate Action Now, we are committed to leading by example and helping everyone in the city take steps today to reduce climate-changing pollution in their homes, at work and on the road. Get involved in Seattle Climate Action Now by visiting www.seattleCAN.org.

Clean Energy

Promoting Clean Energy Alternatives for City Vehicles

City Purchasing, a division of the Department of Executive Administration (DEA), hosts the Green Purchasing Team, with representatives from several City Departments.  The Green Purchasing Team and City Purchasing assist City Departments in adopting clean energy alternatives for City vehicles and equipment.

·         In collaboration with the City’s Fleets and Facilities Department and Seattle Public Utilities, the Green Purchasing Team is promoting the use of bio-lubricants in City vehicles, and researching how to use biodiesel oil in City landscaping equipment.  The Green Purchasing Team is also supporting the Fleets and Facilities Department to adopt an increased bio-diesel mix.

·         City Purchasing implemented vehicle anti-idling requirements in City contracts, requiring the City vendors and contractors to adopt anti-idling practices to reduce green-house gas emissions.

Promoting a Green Taxicab Fleet

DEA’s Revenue and Consumer Affairs Division amended the City’s administrative rules to allow smaller taxicab vehicles to operate in Seattle.  This change is the City’s first step in promoting the use of hybrids and other fuel-efficient vehicles in Seattle’s taxicab fleet.

Conservation

DEA’s City Purchasing assists all City Departments in purchasing products that promote the use of recycled materials and contribute to the reduction of green-house gas emissions, while reducing City costs and providing a model for businesses in their own procurement decisions.

·         City Purchasing worked with other City Departments to establish a new standard and a vendor contract for purchasing EPEAT Silver-Ranked desktop computers, reducing energy consumption and life-cycle costs.

·         The “Office Supply First Choice” pilot program features recycled and low-toxin office supplies as the “first choice” for City Departments.  DEA implemented a new standard directing City Departments to purchase re-manufactured laser printer cartridges.

·         City Purchasing set up a vendor contract that allows City departments to purchase remanufactured and reconditioned office furniture, rather than furniture made from new materials.

·         The Green Purchasing Team is developing strategies to encourage City contractors to remove, reuse, and recycle building materials before renovation or demolition.  These practices reduce demolition waste and encourage recycling of scrap materials without increasing City construction costs.