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PBT-Free Purchasing in the Great Lakes Basin

Year Awarded: 2002
Awarded: $300,000
Team Leader:  INFORM, Inc.
Tel: 212-361-2400
Email: patty.dillon@verizon.net

This team developed a list of upcoming state contracts for commodities that contain persistent, bioaccumulative toxic chemicals (PBTs) in five Great Lakes states. Team members gathered large public purchasers working for state agencies, local governments and public institutions to identify products free from such chemicals. They also worked to revise bid specifications and other contract language for purchases to ensure the use of alternatives. The team’s ‘New Frontiers Teleconferences’ advised consumers about alternative purchasing choices that could help create ‘greener’ buildings. The conferences were targeted to architects; state, county and city procurement officials; construction project managers; and environmental specialists from 15 states including all 8 Great Lakes states. Other teleconferences focused on PBTs, vinyls, toxin legislation, and toxin elimination. These collaborations were meant to lead to a complete phase-out of certain products that contain PBTs by forcing changes in manufacturing processes through consumer demand.