Sustainable Procurement Is Smart Procurement: A Primer for Local Governments to Successfully Implement Sustainable Procurement Policies

Zachary R. Kobrin, Florida State University College of Law

Abstract

Most local governments do not understand the benefits of sustainable procurement or how to successfully implement these policies. This article discusses the challenges facing local governments when adopting sustainable procurement policies and makes recommendations to successfully implement sustainable procurement. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency describes sustainable procurement as the purchasing of products or services that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with competing products or services that serve the same purpose. For local governments, sustainable procurement can also be defined by the benefits it will provide the local environment and economy. Before any benefits can be recognized local governments must understand and overcome any challenges they face when implementing sustainable procurement. Sustainable procurement policies can be preempted by state or federal law or face legal challenges to the new contract requirements of sustainable procurement regulations. One of the largest hurdles most local governments will face is the misconception that sustainable products are more costly than their conventional alternatives. For sustainable procurement to succeed, local governments must address the practical problems of raising awareness about the benefits and correcting misinformation and misconceptions. The article concludes with recommendations local governments can use to overcome these challenges and successfully implement sustainable procurement policies.