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Shipping and Packaging Supplies

Shipping, packaging, and packing materials such as paperboard, insulating materials, and pallets.

Guidance and References

You can determine the specific sustainable requirements that apply to your acquisition by clicking on the individual product categories on the Left Side of this page. See below for additional guidance on prioritizing federal requirements.

You can find the federal government’s sustainable acquisition policies and procedures at Federal Acquisition Regulation Part 23opens in new window. Federal agencies are required to buy sustainable products and services to the maximum extent practicable (see FAR 23.103opens in new window, 23.105opens in new window, and 23.106opens in new window for additional information, including exceptions, and exemptions).

FAR 23.104(c)opens in new window provides direction to ensure that federal agencies, first and foremost, comply with statutory purchasing program requirements and prioritize multi-attribute sustainable products and services, which are those that meet all applicable statutory purchasing program requirements and one or more required Environmental Protection Agency purchasing programs.

Purchasing Programs

Statutory purchasing programs:

  • Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPG)
  • ENERGY STAR®
  • Federal Energy Management Program (FEMP)-designated
  • BioPreferred®
  • EPA's Significant New Alternatives Policy (SNAP)

Required EPA purchasing programs:

  • WaterSense®
  • Safer Choice
  • EPA Recommendations of Specifications, Standards, and Ecolabels

Visit the Environmental Programs page for more information.

Other Considerations

Before buying new products, be sure to consider excess personal property from other federal agencies. It's not just the mandatory first source of supply, it's sustainable! Visit the Personal Property Management Systemopens in new window to search the federal government’s available excess personal property for transfer.

To promote fuel efficiency and reduce greenhouse gas emissions and air pollution, consider using a SmartWay Transport Partneropens in new window for shipment of your products.