To ensure applicants receiving CalRecycle funds are in line with the mission of creating markets for diverted materials, CalRecycle uses a recycled-content (green procurement) scoring criterion to evaluate non-entitlement grant applications. Learn more about the benefits of recycled content purchasing (green procurement).
Applicants receive points for:
- Having or developing a policy.
- Purchasing recycled-content or other environmentally preferable products.
- Performing sustainable practices.
- Self-evaluating their efforts.
This allows applicants to receive points for implementing a wide variety of “green” activities.
The Recycled-Content (Green Procurement) Evaluation Sheet Template allows applicants to easily identify their efforts in the areas. Please note: individual grant programs may customize this form. Therefore, applicants must complete the form included within their grant application packet, rather than this template.
Recycled-content (green procurement) scoring criterion typically accounts for 15 percent of the points determining eligibility. (Individual grant programs within CalRecycle determine point distribution.)
Policy Adoption
Policy adoption may be required within the last five years from the applicant or its governing body, executive officer, council members. Partial points may be given if policies are adopted during the application period and for policies older than five years or ones that have not been modified within the last five years. Please review the grant application packet for relevant scoring criterion of that particular application.
For any program to be successful, it needs to be institutionalized. Adopting a recycled-content (green procurement) policy ensures an agencywide commitment by communicating internal goals, communicating needs externally, providing justification for change, establishing measurement tools, increasing awareness, assigning roles and responsibilities, and involving upper management.
Sample policies are available to assist you in preparing your own.
Purchasing recycled content or other sustainable products
Applicants may be awarded points for purchasing recycled-content products such as re-refined oil, retreaded tires, recycled copy paper, and low-VOC (volatile organic compound) products.
Performing sustainable practices
Applicants may be awarded points for performing sustainable practices. Sustainable practices are practices that result in resource conservation and/or efficiency. Examples include grasscycling, xeriscaping, sustainable construction, integrated pest management, renewable energy, and water efficiency.
Thousands of sustainable products and practices can be purchased and/or implemented. All of which have less environmental impacts than standard products and practices. The possibilities are endless.
Self-evaluation of efforts
Applicants may be awarded points by addressing the positive and negative features of their policy and recycled-content (green procurement) efforts, such that continuous improvements can be made.
Benefits of recycled-content (green procurement)
Until materials are made into new, recycled-content products and purchased by consumers, they are not really recycled. When you buy recycled products, you help “close the loop” to complete the recycling process.
Buying recycled-content and other sustainable (environmentally preferable) products:
- Creates markets for recyclables and strengthens existing ones.
- Creates jobs. Manufacturing new products from recovered materials creates far more jobs than landfilling those valuable materials.
- Conserves landfill space and prolongs the useful life of the diverted material.
- Conserves natural resources, reduces waste, and can reduce energy consumption and pollution in the manufacturing process.
- Attains procurement mandates and goals. State and local government entities are required to buy recycled-content products, and many businesses have environmentally preferable purchasing policies.
For more information contact: Financial Assistance, grants@calrecycle.ca.gov