GREENING YOUR PURCHASE OF CARPET A GUIDE FOR FEDERAL PURCHASERS Environmentally Preferable Purchasing, or EPP, seeks the overall best value, taking into account price competitiveness, availability, regulatory requirements, performance standards, and environmental impact. Because purchasers typically have clear sources of information on procurement and regulatory requirements and well established methods for evaluating price and performance, the US EPA EPP Program has developed these purchasing guides to help government purchasers consider the environmental factors in the EPP equation. Please note that EPA is not endorsing any of the products, services, or organizations described in the guides, and has not verified information provided by these organizations. For more information about the EPP Programs's history, tools, and resources, please visit < www. epa. gov/ oppt/ epp>.

Introduction Carpet is quiet, soft, slip resistant and often quite beautiful. These qualities make it a common choice as a floor covering for office space. But, as with any product, various environmental impacts can occur throughout the product's lifecycle. By considering a variety of lifecycle attributes, from the materials used to manufacture and install carpet to recycling and disposal issues, purchasers can make informed decisions about carpet.

Key Health and Environmental Issues Health and environmental concerns associated with carpet include indoor air quality, chemical emissions from manufacturing and disposal operations, and solid waste impacts. A variety of volatile organic compounds ( VOCs) can be emitted from carpet materials, although VOC emissions from new carpet typically fall to very low levels within 48 to 72 hours after installation when accompanied by good ventilation. Over four billion pounds of carpet enter the solid waste stream in the U. S. every year, accounting for more than one percent by weight and about two percent by volume of all municipal solid waste ( MSW). Furthermore, the bulky nature of carpet creates collection and handling problems for solid waste operations, and the variety of materials present in carpet makes it difficult to recycle, although new efforts described later in this Guide are underway to increase recycling opportunities.

Lifecycle and Tradeoff Issues As with all products, environmental impacts can occur throughout the life cycle of carpet, from the initial acquisition of raw materials to the final disposal of any product remnants. These impacts vary with the types of materials used, the pattern of carpet use and replacement, and the options available for reuse, recycling, or disposal. An approach for evaluating the lifecycle impacts of carpet and other floor coverings is included in the Building for Environmental and Economic Sustainability ( BEES) tool, which can be downloaded from < http:// www. bfrl. nist. gov/ oae/ software/ bees. html>. BEES includes lifecycle impact data on carpet with face fiber made of virgin and recycled nylon or recycled polyethylene terephthalate, ( or PET, a common plastic). General information on lifecycle analysis and its role in environmentally preferable purchasing ( EPP) can be found in the EPP General Training Tool at < www. epa. gov. oppt/ epp/ gentt/>. Materials Used in Carpet Nylon is the most popular fiber used as the face fiber in commercial carpet. Two closely related forms of nylon, " nylon 6" and " nylon 6,6" are used in carpet face fiber. Polypropylene ( olefin) and polyester ( PET) also are used in carpet face fiber. Recycled PET fiber is widely available, but carpet made with PET face fiber is generally not as durable as nylon or polypropylene carpet and is usually recommended only for light to moderate wear conditions ( which includes such applications as offices and residential areas).

Carpet backing is used to provide structural support to the face fiber. Over 90% of commercial carpet is tufted and consists of three possible elements: 1) the primary backing fabric, 2) the applied bonding adhesive and 3) the secondary backing fabric or a special purpose cushion/ hard back. Polypropylene is the most common material in primary backing fabrics, although polyester is used in some specialty applications. Polypropylene is also the most common fabric in secondary backings. Styrene butadiene latex is the most common bonding material used in carpet backing systems. Other materials used in secondary backings include polyester, polyurethane, ethylene vinyl acetate ( EVA), polyvinyl chloride ( PVC), amorphous polymer resins, and jute.

Jute is a renewable bio based product but is not as durable as the synthetic backings and is seldom available today. PVC backing with up to 100% recycled content is readily available and is used by some manufacturers. Use of recycled PVC is expected to mitigate the impacts associated with its manufacture and disposal. A new polyurethane backing under development uses a polyol derived from soybean oil ( the isocyanate reactant in this product is still from petrochemical sources). In addition to the renewable resource advantage, initial data indicate that the use of soy based polyurethane in carpet backing saves energy over the product life cycle compared to the use of standard petrochemical based polyols. Another new adhesive makes use of a renewable, bio based material derived from a tall oil byproduct of the kraft pulping process. This resin is available from a source that is certified under the American Forest & Paper Association's Sustainable Forestry Initiative Standard and under ISO 14001. Use of the tall oil based resin by one manufacturer has reduced the company's use of petrochemical raw materials by about 20 million lb. in the last two years.

Carpet cushion is placed underneath the carpet to provide additional comfort, insulation, and noise reduction. In some cases a cushioned secondary backing is integral to the carpet backing. Materials used in carpet cushion include polyurethane, jute, synthetic rubber, and other synthetic fibers. All of these substances can be obtained from recovered materials.

Federal EPP Authority and Mandate Spending approximately $ 230 billion annually on a large quantity and wide variety of products and services, the federal government leaves a large environmental " footprint." However, by purchasing environmentally preferable products and services, the federal government can wield its spending power to increase the national demand for greener products as well as to help meet environmental goals through markets rather than mandates. In 1995, in response to Executive Order 12873, EPA established the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing ( EPP) program to encourage and assist Executive agencies in the purchase of environmentally preferable products and services. In 1997, the Federal Acquisition Regulation ( FAR), which establishes uniform procedures and policies for federal acquisition, was amended to support federal procurement of " green" products and services. And, most recently, in 1998, Executive Order ( E. O.) 13101, entitled " Greening the Government through Waste Prevention, Recycling, and Federal Acquisition," directed Executive agencies to " consider . . . a broad range of factors including: elimination of virgin material requirements; use of biobased products; use of recovered materials; reuse of product; life cycle cost; recyclability; use of environmentally preferable products; waste prevention ( including toxicity reduction or elimination); and ultimate disposal" when making purchasing decisions and to " modify their procurement programs as appropriate."

Similarly, the Biomass R& D Act of 2000, the Farm Bill of 2002, and Executive Order 13134 have emphasized the potential importance of biobased products to national economic and environmental interests. Together these authorities encourage a strong federal role in the development and early adoption of biobased products and recognize the role of procurement as part of an overall federal policy on biobased products.

Five Guiding Principles To help federal government purchasers incorporate environmental considerations into purchasing decisions, EPA developed five guiding principles. The guiding principles provide a framework purchasers can use to make environmentally preferable purchases. The five principles are: 1. Include environmental considerations as part of the normal purchasing process. 2. Emphasize pollution prevention early in the purchasing process. 3. Examine multiple environmental attributes throughout a product's or service's life cycle. 4. Compare relative environmental impacts when selecting products and services. 5. Collect and base purchasing decisions on accurate and meaningful information about environmental performance.

For more information, go to the five guiding principles on EPA's EPP Web site at < www. epa. gov/ oppt/ epp/ fivegp. htm>.

What Can You Do? Environmentally preferable carpet choices each have their own merits, and choosing one depends on the specific need, location, and use for the carpet. Some questions to consider in determining the best choice for your situation include:

What are the durability requirements? In general, more durable products reduce environmental impacts because of the less frequent need for replacement. It is important to anticipate the expected use pattern and replacement schedule in order to make the best environmental purchase. For example, a highly durable carpet may not be the best choice for a temporary space with light use or where near term replacement is expected because of a change in tenants, building renovations, or other factors.

What are the proper installation and maintenance procedures? Follow the manufacturer's instructions for installation. Industry recommended standards for carpet installation ( CRI 104 for commercial carpet and CRI 105 for residential carpet) are available from the Carpet and Rug Institute ( CRI) at www. carpet rug. com. Choose low emitting adhesives such as those that meet CRI's Green Label requirements or the Green Seal standard. Make sure that you select a carpet suitable for the routine cleaning and maintenance procedures in the area where it will be used. Be sure to follow good cleaning practices as recommended by the manufacturer or other reliable sources. CRI's Green Label vacuum cleaner testing program includes a list of vacuum cleaners meeting the Green Label standards for soil removal, dust containment, and carpet appearance retention. This list is available on CRI's Web site.

Tiles or broadloom? Tiles ( modular carpet) use more material initially because of the need for a thicker backing. However, depending on the use pattern, tiles can save materials in the long run because worn or soiled tiles can be replaced individually rather than replacing the entire carpet. Because tiles are available in much smaller sizes than broadloom carpet, tiles can reduce the material wasted due to trimming in some installations, e. g. in spaces with unusual dimensions.

Are reuse options available? At least one manufacturer offers refurbished products made from used carpet that looks and performs like new carpet. This reuse option creates a product that has 100% post consumer content.

What is the recycled content of the carpet face fiber, backing and cushion? Although processes exist for manufacturing both nylon 6 and nylon 6,6 from recovered materials, the supply of post consumer recovered nylon suitable for use in carpet face fiber has been relatively limited. Materials used in carpet backing and cushion can come from both postindustrial and post consumer sources. Be sure to obtain specific information on the recycled content of carpet products, including a break out of post industrial and post consumer content. Also establish the recycled content percentages of each carpet component, i. e. face fiber and backings. The Carpet and Rug Institute recommends that recycled content be stated in terms of the whole product. In addition, some manufacturers list the recycled content of particular components or specific materials that are part of a component. Federal purchasers and others using appropriated Federal funds should consult the Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines ( CPG) ( www. epa. gov/ cpg) regarding recovered materials requirements for carpet.

Is there a mechanism for reusing or recycling some or all of the carpet components? The Carpet America Recovery Effort can provide information and advice on recycling and other end of life options. < www. carpetrecovery. org> Specify your recovery recycling requirements in the purchase contract  this ensures that end of life issues are addressed . and incorporates lifetime cost into the purchase price. Waiting to address end of life issues until the need arises can result in more limited options and higher costs.

What are the chemical emissions and other impacts from the manufacture of carpet? The carpet industry as a whole has made substantial progress in recent years in reducing chemical emissions, energy usage, and water usage associated with manufacturing processes. Additionally, some carpet manufacturers are pursuing certification under ISO 14000 series environmental management standards. Ask manufacturers to provide information on their specific efforts and accomplishments in this area.

What are the emissions from the carpet itself or from other materials used during its installation, e. g. adhesives? Do any of these emissions present indoor air quality concerns? Find out if the product has met the Carpet and Rug Institute's ( CRI) Green Label requirements. The Green Label program specifies emission limits for certain chemicals from carpet, cushion, and adhesive. The current Green Label emission limits and lists of manufacturers who have met the standard are available at < www. carpet rug. com>. Ask manufacturers or others knowledgeable about emissions testing if any other relevant data or analysis are available.

Ask manufacturers for certification of environmental claims. Certain independent organizations provide testing and auditing services related to environmental standards and other environmental claims such as recycled content, emissions data, etc. In the absence of independent certification, ask for formal statements signed by senior company officials. Guidance on the use and interpretation of environmental marketing claims is available from the Federal Trade Commission at < www. ftc. gov.>

Standards and Specifications A number of states and EPA Regions have incorporated contract language that takes health and environmental considerations into account when purchasing carpet. North Carolina's specification addresses a broad range of performance and environmental attributes. Massachusetts state agencies specify minimum levels of recycled content for carpet purchases; both Massachusetts and Minnesota allow only low VOC adhesives; and Washington specifies the maximum emissions allowed in the first 30 days following installation. EPA Region 10 purchases only low VOC and formaldehyde free adhesives and requires that any carpet unable to be reused must be recycled with the Dupont Carpet Reclamation Program or its equivalent. EPA's Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines ( CPG) currently address only carpet cushion and polyester carpet, but proposed changes to the CPG also include nylon carpet and backing for nylon carpet, as well as some proposed revisions to the existing polyester carpet designation ( 66 FR 45256, August 28, 2001). EPA issued a Notice of Data Availability summarizing comments received on the CPG proposal for nylon carpet and soliciting additional comment on the carpet designation ( 68 FR 42040, July 16, 2003). Scientific Certification Systems has issued a pilot specification, based on life cycle considerations, for environmentally preferable carpet < www. scs1. com>. Purchasers can find the above cited contract language and additional information on voluntary standards and guidelines for carpet in the EPP Database at < www. epa. gov/ oppt/ epp/ database. htm>. North Carolina's recent specification is at < www. doa. state. nc. us/ PandC/ splist. htm>.

Other Activities/ Future Directions On January 8, 2002, a Memorandum of Understanding for Carpet Stewardship ( MOU) was signed establishing a ten year schedule for increased rates of reuse and recycling of carpet. Participants in the negotiation process that led to the MOU included representatives of the carpet industry, federal, state, and local governments, and non governmental organizations. The carpet industry has established a third party organization, the Carpet America Recovery Effort ( CARE), to facilitate implementation of the MOU goals. The MOU partners have also agreed to develop model procurement guidelines for use by government purchasers. The procurement guidelines will address other performance and environmental issues in addition to end of life management.

Contacts and Resources Carpet America Recovery Effort ( CARE) < www. carpetrecovery. org> Promotes the reuse and recycling of carpet. The CARE Web site includes a comprehensive listing of carpet recycling programs as well as information on market and product development for recycled carpet and information on other end of life options. CARE also provides general guidance for purchasers on performance and environmental attributes.

Carpet and Rug Institute < www. carpet rug. com> Provides a wide range of information on carpet types, performance and care, materials used in carpet, and health and environmental issues.

Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines ( CPG) < www. epa. gov/ cpg> Designates products that can be made with recovered materials and recommends minimum recovered material content levels.

Green Seal < www. greenseal. org> Green Seal is an independent, nonprofit organization that develops environmental standards for consumer and commercial products and provides consumer education on environmentally preferable purchasing.

Institute for Market Transformation to Sustainability ( MTS) < www. mts. sustainableproducts. com> MTS is an independent organization that has a mission to foster and accelerate the global free market transformation to sustainability.

Scientific Certification Systems ( SCS) < www. scs1. com> SCS is an independent organization that provides a wide range of evaluation and certification services, including a number of health and environmental standards for products.

EPA's Purchasing Tool Suite EPA's EPP Program has developed the following Web based tools to help purchasers consider the environment, along with price and performance, when buying a product or service. Database of Environmental Information for Products and Services   A searchable database of product specific information ( e. g., environmental standards and guidelines or contract language) developed by government programs, both domestic and foreign, as well as third parties. < www. epa. gov/ oppt/ epp/ database. htm>

Promising Practices Guide for Greener Contracts   A series of short case studies highlighting successful strategies for incorporating environmental factors into a variety of product and service contracts. < www. epa. gov/ oppt/ epp/ ppg>

General EPP Training Tool   Covers basic EPP principles and mandates, along with some more in depth applications of EPP, in an entertaining and multimedia format. < www. epa. gov/ oppt/ epp/ gentt/>

References Comprehensive Guideline for Procurement of Products Containing Recovered Materials; Recovered Materials Advisory Notice III; Final Rule. Federal Register Vol. 65, No. 12, pp. 3070  3094, Jan. 19, 2000.

Comprehensive Guideline for Procurement of Products Containing Recovered Materials; Proposed Rule. Federal Register Vol. 66, No. 167, pp. 45256  45274, Aug. 28, 2001.

Background Document for Proposed CPG IV and Draft RMAN IV. EPA 530 R 01 006, April 2001.

Memorandum of Understanding for Carpet Stewardship, Jan. 8, 2002. Available at www. carpetrecovery. org.

Selecting Carpet & Rugs  Specifying Commercial Carpet. Carpet & Rug Institute, 2002. Available at www. carpetrug com Sustainability Report 2000. Carpet & Rug Institute, 2001. Available at www. carpet rug. com Sources of Indoor Air Emissions. US EPA Indoor Environment Management Branch, June 1999.

Davidson, J. L., Black, M. S., Pearson, W. J., and Miller, D. P. ( 1991). " Carpet Installation During Building Renovation and Its Impact on Indoor VOC Concentrations." In: Proceedings of Healthy Buildings/ IAQ' 91.

Hodgson, A. T., Wooley, J. D., and Daisey, J. M. ( 1993). " Emissions of Volatile Organic Compounds from New Carpets Measured in a Large Scale Environmental Chamber." J. Air and Waste Management Assoc., 43: 316  324.

Database of Sources of Environmental Release of Dioxin like Compounds in the United States. EPA 600 C 01 012, March 2001.

" Replacement of a Non Renewable Resource With a Renewable One at Lees Carpets." Technical summary submitted to US EPA from Lees Carpets, April 2002.

" Soy Based Thermoset Plastics." United Soybean Board, February 2002.


[Federal Register: March 30, 2010 (Volume 75, Number 60)]
[Notices]
[Page 15757]
[DOCID:fr30mr10-133]

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SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Sunshine Act Meeting

    Notice is hereby given, pursuant to the provisions of the
Government in the Sunshine Act, Public Law 94-409, that the Securities
and Exchange Commission will hold a Closed Meeting on Thursday, April
1, 2010 at 2 p.m.
    Commissioners, Counsel to the Commissioners, the Secretary to the
Commission, and recording secretaries will attend the Closed Meeting.
Certain staff members who have an interest in the matters also may be
present.
    The General Counsel of the Commission, or his designee, has
certified that, in his opinion, one or more of the exemptions set forth
in 5 U.S.C. 552b(c)(3), (5), (7), 9(B) and (10) and 17 CFR
200.402(a)(3), (5), (7), 9(ii) and (10), permit consideration of the
scheduled matters at the Closed Meeting.
    Commissioner Aguilar, as duty officer, voted to consider the items
listed for the Closed Meeting in a closed session.
    The subject matter of the Closed Meeting scheduled for Thursday,
April 1, 2010 will be:

Institution and settlement of injunctive actions;
Institution of administrative proceedings; and
Other matters relating to enforcement proceedings.

    At times, changes in Commission priorities require alterations in
the scheduling of meeting items.
    For further information and to ascertain what, if any, matters have
been added, deleted or postponed, please contact:
    The Office of the Secretary at<PHONE_NUMBER>.

    Dated: March 25, 2010.
Elizabeth M. Murphy,
Secretary.
[FR Doc. 2010-7128 Filed 3-26-10; 11:15 am]
BILLING CODE 8011-01-P