[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 146 (Tuesday, November 14, 2000)]
[Senate]
[Pages S11537-S11538]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          STATEMENTS ON INTRODUCED BILLS AND JOINT RESOLUTIONS

      Mr. TORRICELLI:
  S. 3271. A bill to require increased waste prevention and recycling 
measures to be incorporated in the daily operations of Federal 
agencies, and other purposes; to the Committee on Governmental Affairs.


                  GREENING THE GOVERNMENT ACT OF 2000

  Mr. TORRICELLI. Mr. President, I rise today to offer the ``Greening 
the Government Act of 2000.'' This bill would allow the Federal 
Government to use its purchasing power to conserve natural resources, 
create markets for the materials that the American people recycle in 
their home and office recycling programs, and reduce the toxicity of 
products commonly used by establishing an infrastructure for 
coordinating and expanding Federal recycling and ``green'' purchasing 
activities.
  The Federal Government spends $275 billion each year buying goods and 
services. With this immense purchasing power, and through its research, 
development and assistance programs, it can influence markets to create 
more environmentally friendly products. Indeed, I believe that the 
Federal Government should be a leader in demonstrating how 
organizations can meet their mission in a cost-effective and 
environmentally protective way.
  Tomorrow, we will celebrate America Recycles Day. Millions of 
Americans will re-dedicate themselves to recycling and, more 
importantly, closing the recycling loop by buying recycled content 
products. Hundreds of American companies are also recognizing the 
importance and cost-effectiveness of ``greening'' their operations. For 
instance, in my State of New Jersey, Telecordia Technologies has saved 
more than $3 million by recycling 72 percent of its waste. Telecordia 
saves $4,000 per week by simply replacing disposable cafeteria trays 
with recycled content plastic trays. I believe that the Federal 
Government can also achieve similar savings by ``greening'' its 
operations and encouraging environmental innovation. Indeed, the 
Federal Government's purchasing decisions can tremendously affect the 
environment we leave to future generations.
  Building on the progress made during the past seven years under 
President Clinton's Executive Order 13101, ``Greening the Government 
through Waste Prevention, Recycling, and Federal Acquisition,'' the 
Greening the Government Act of 2000 will establish a permanent 
infrastructure for coordinating, promoting, and expanding Federal 
recycling and ``green'' procurement activities. Under this legislation, 
the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) will designate both recycled 
content products and environmentally

[[Page S11538]]

preferable products and services for Federal agencies to purchase. The 
U.S. Department of Agriculture (USDA) will also create a list of 
biobased products for agencies to consider purchasing. Federal agencies 
will then incorporate procurement of these USDA and EPA-designated 
products and services into their acquisition processes. Finally, 
Federal research and development monies, technology transfer programs, 
and assistance programs will be expanded to facilitate the development 
of greener technologies.
  In 1994, approximately 12 percent of the copier paper purchased by 
the Federal Government was recycled content paper, and that contained 
only ten percent postconsumer (recycled content) fiber. President 
Clinton increased the Federal postconsumer content standard to 30 
percent. Today, 98 percent of the copier paper purchased from the 
Government Printing Office and General Services Administration contains 
30 percent postconsumer fiber. The Greening the Government Act of 2000 
raises the Federal content standard to 40 percent postconsumer fiber 
and, for the first time, requires agencies both to consider purchasing 
office papers bleached without chlorine and to purchase wood products 
made with sustainably grown wood.
  We all know that it is not easy to buy ``green'' products. It is my 
intention that the ``Greening of the Government Act'' will encourage 
manufacturers to identify their products as ``green,'' making it easier 
for all Americans to buy these products. It is time that the Federal 
Government truly live up to the resource conservation goals first 
established by Congress in 1976 within the Resource Conservation and 
Recovery Act and become a true role model in our nation's conservation 
efforts.

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