Green technology purchasing policy

San Francisco’s environmentally preferable or “green” purchasing practices serve as a model to other public agencies, private businesses, and residents. The goal of the San Francisco Department of Environment is to spend no less than 90% of purchase dollars on compliant products within the product areas covered.

Purpose and scope

The purpose of this Green Policy is to establish green information technology purchasing requirements that improve the environmental profile of City government operations, and that foster expanded environmental stewardship in the IT industry. This policy is directed towards the purchasing of the following devices and their packaging:

• Personal computers, including desktops, laptops, tablets, workstations, thin clients and computer monitors;
• Enterprise computer servers;
• Imaging equipment, including copiers, digital duplicators, facsimile machines, multifunction devices, printers, mailing machines and scanners; and
• Televisions and large displays, including signage displays.

This policy applies to all information resources operated by the City and County of San Francisco and its departments, and commissions. Elected officials, employees, consultants, and vendors working on behalf of the City and County of San Francisco are required to comply with this policy.

Policy statement

The City and County of San Francisco will purchase information technology (IT) equipment that meets the needs of City users, minimizes negative human health effects and environmental harm, and limits packaging burdens. Our purchasing policies will ensure that City government agencies shall purchase only information technology equipment that:

1. Meets the City’s environmental requirements,
2. Contains minimum levels of toxic components,
3. Operates with the highest energy efficiency,
4. Maximizes product longevity,
5. Is designed to facilitate recycling at the end of product life, and with maximum use of recycled and recyclable materials,
6. Requires minimal packaging with maximum recycled and recyclable content.
7. Promotes extended producer responsibility for manufacture and disposal, and
8. Has the smallest possible climate change footprint.

Approved April 15, 2021