CITY OF SEATTLE
RESOLUTION __________________
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A RESOLUTION relating to sustainable procurement; encouraging the Executive to coordinate strategic planning for and implementation of performance standards and/or baseline practices to achieve far-reaching and systemic sustainable procurement outcomes to protect the environment and public health; and requesting a report by June 30, 2023.
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WHEREAS, the Finance and Administrative Services Department promulgated the City of Seattle Sustainable Purchasing Policy (“Policy”) on April 22, 2021; and
WHEREAS, complete implementation of the Policy, including establishment of a Green Team and development of a sustainable procurement tracking system in coordination with Seattle departments, has been delayed due to the COVID pandemic; and
WHEREAS, implementation of the Policy represents a key component to meeting the City’s Zero Waste and other sustainability goals and commitments; and
WHEREAS, the global climate crisis is a high priority that requires serious and urgent action; and
WHEREAS, the policy recognizes the City’s responsibility to minimize negative impacts on human health and the environment while supporting a diverse, equitable, and vibrant community and circular economy; and
WHEREAS, implementation of performance standards and/or baseline practices will help ensure that the City achieves far-reaching and systemic sustainable procurement outcomes to equitably protect the environment and public health; NOW, THEREFORE,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE CITY COUNCIL OF THE CITY OF SEATTLE THAT:
Section 1. The Council endorses the City of Seattle Sustainable Purchasing Policy promulgated by the Department of Finance and Administrative Services (FAS), with an effective date of April 22, 2021, and encourages the Executive to convene as soon as possible the FAS-led Green Team to coordinate strategic planning for and implementation of sustainable purchasing, standards, and practices with Seattle City Light, Seattle Parks and Recreation, Seattle Public Utilities, the Office of Sustainability and Environment, Finance and Administrative Services, Seattle Department of Transportation, and other departments.
Section 2. The Council requests that the Green Team strategically consider how best to implement the Sustainable Purchasing Policy to achieve far-reaching and systemic sustainable procurement outcomes to protect the environment and public health.
Section 3. The Council requests that the Green Team establish baseline practices and/or performance standards, consistent with established best practices, that address the sustainable procurement of chemicals, construction materials, energy, and natural resources as follows, to the extent feasible:
A. Chemicals
1. Use processes, technologies, services, and products that reduce carbon emissions and exposure of Substances of (Very) High Concern (SVHCs/SHCs) to people and the environment and follow related best practices when evaluating their comparative toxicity.
2. Procure only those cleaning, disinfectant, and maintenance products, including those used by contractors who clean and maintain City facilities, that meet aggressive standards for less-toxic and low-emitting products.
3. Implement pest management strategies that minimize reliance on pesticides associated with negative environmental and human health impacts and ensure careful screening of products, their use, and potential impacts.
B. Construction Materials
1. Incorporate Seattle’s green building and green infrastructure policies and practices into architectural, engineering, and related design services deliverables with contracted partners.
2. Use demonstrably low embodied carbon materials, meaning those that produce low levels of carbon emissions throughout the whole lifecycle of a building or infrastructure, for City-owned building and landscape projects, and encourage the use of sustainably sourced wood in private development projects through City land use and building codes.
3. When available, use construction materials that meet aggressive standards for less-toxic and low-emitting products.
4. To the extent possible, prohibit the use of exterior building materials that can leach zinc, copper, arsenic, or other materials that can contaminate stormwater and are toxic to aquatic life.
5. Consider the feasibility of requiring firms selected for large construction or building renovation contracts to provide an Environmental Product Declaration (EPD), as described in House Bill 1103 and Senate Bill 5366 heard by committee during the Washington state 2022 legislative session. An EPD would describe the composition of the materials to be used in the project and how the selected materials would impact targeted aspects of the environment, including the manufacturing impacts, transportation impacts, and construction impacts, as well as working conditions at the production facilities. Feasibility consideration should examine appropriate cost thresholds and construction project types.
C. Energy
1. Invest in energy-efficient products, services, and technologies that will pay for themselves through energy cost savings in ten years or less.
2. Invest in on-site renewable energy technologies at applicable City-owned facilities as defined by current building performance standards, including the City’s Sustainable Buildings and Sites Policy (adopted by Resolution 31326) and the Seattle Energy Code.
3. Purchase renewable energy for City electricity use.
D. Resource management
1. Specify and purchase recycled content products made from materials including, but not limited to, paper, plastics, metals, asphalt, and concrete with as high post-consumer waste content as possible.
2. Invest in highly fuel-efficient and low carbon fueled fleet vehicles and equipment, consistent with Executive Order 2018-02.
3. Restrict the use of bottled water and provide public access to bottle-filling tap water stations.
Section 4. The Council requests the Executive file a report with the Clerk by June 30, 2023, on baseline practices and performance standards for the sustainable purchasing program, including the fiscal impacts of and potential funding sources for implementing these practices and performance standards.
Adopted by the City Council the ________ day of _________________________, 2022, and signed by me in open session in authentication of its adoption this ________ day of _________________________, 2022.
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President ____________ of the City Council
The Mayor concurred the ________ day of _________________________, 2022.
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Bruce A. Harrell, Mayor
Filed by me this ________ day of _________________________, 2022.
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Monica Martinez Simmons, City Clerk
(Seal)
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