MAKE PHOENIX SHINE WITH ENVIRONMENTAL FRIENDLY PRODUCTS
The city of Phoenix is committed to enhancing its community's environment through the source reduction of hazardous materials, which means reducing the amount of hazardous products purchased or used and ultimately disposed. As employees and vendors for the city, you can make a P2 (Pollution Prevention Program) difference by helping to expand the list of environmentally preferred products.
A new initiative, called the Reviewed Products List (RPL), provides a practical and easy way to reduce pollution by promoting the use of environmentally preferred materials. Products listed
on the RPL have been reviewed for their potential impacts to the environment
and to employee safety and health.
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WHY WAS THE RPL DEVELOPED? |
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Departments are encouraged to reduce their use of hazardous materials and the RPL serves as an important tool to achieve that goal. The city of Phoenix Interim Purchasing Policy for Hazardous Materials focuses upon the city's goal to reduce the use of hazardous products in the
workplace and served as the catalyst for the RPL. Products currently in use in city operations are reviewed and rated using criteria listed in the interim purchasing policy.
The results of the review are available through the citywide Environmental Data Management System. It alerts departments to the potential health, safety and environmental risks of products they use. | |
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WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF THE RPL FOR EMPLOYEES?
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Safety and Health- RPL products are
environmentally preferred products that have been reviewed and rated to enhance safety
and health for employees who use the products. The RPL facilitates product substitution initiatives that assist in removing more hazardous materials from the inventory.
Time Savings - Employees can easily identify and order those products listed as environmentally preferred without extensive research.
A Better Phoenix - Many of the
environmentally safer products on the RPL are used every day by city
employees. Safer products mean a safer environment for our city and our families.
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WHAT ARE THE ADVANTAGES OF THE RPL FOR VENDORS?
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Increased Sales - Suppliers of environmentally preferred materials may have an advantage over those providing more hazardous products. Products on the RPL may be recommended, even if these products aren't the least expensive in their category.
This can be achieved based upon a cost benefit analysis of factors such as but not limited to training, personal protective equipment and disposal costs. Although still important, direct costs will not be the sole consideration as we strive to build a cleaner Phoenix.
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WHAT TYPES OF MATERIALS ARE INCLUDED ON THE RPL?
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The products on the RPL are broken down into 21 different categories.
These categories include: acids, asbestos, asphalt, batteries, laboratory chemicals, office supplies, photographic and photocopier chemicals, water and wastewater chemicals, welding materials, radioactive materials, janitorial and cleaning supplies, paints, pesticides, caulks/sealants, adhesives, compressed gases, epoxies, fuels, oils/greases, solvents and miscellaneous materials.
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HOW CAN THE RPL BE EXPANDED?
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Any department, employee or vendor can suggest new products for
inclusion in the RPL. Based upon review by the Office of Environmental Programs and Personnel Safety, the material may be added to the RPL. This list
will be updated and distributed to participating departments regularly through the city's Intranet.
Employees or vendors may send electronic MSDS's for review to jim.mcdaniel@phoenix.gov, provide copies via fax to 602-534-0851 or mail to: Office of Environmental Programs, 200 W. Washington St., 14th Floor, Phoenix, AZ 85003.
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HOW CAN I GET MORE INFORMATION ON RPL?
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For more information, contact Jim McDaniel at jim.mcdaniel@phoenix.gov or
Liz Paulus at liz.paulus@phoenix.gov in the Office of Environmental Programs at 602-256-5669.
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City of Phoenix Office of Environmental Programs
Pollution Prevention (P2) Program
200 W. Washington St., 14th Floor
Phoenix, AZ 85003
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