[Federal Register Volume 60, Number 83 (Monday, May 1, 1995)]
[Notices]
[Pages 21386-21394]
From the Federal Register Online via the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]
[FR Doc No: 95-506]




[[Page 21385]]

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Part VI





Environmental Protection Agency





_______________________________________________________________________



Recovered Materials Advisory Notice

  Federal Register / Vol. 60, No. 83 / Monday, May 1, 1995 / Notices  
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[[Page 21386]] 


ENVIRONMENTAL PROTECTION AGENCY

[SWH-FRL-5198-8]


Recovered Materials Advisory Notice

AGENCY: Environmental Protection Agency.

ACTION: Notice of availability of final document.

-----------------------------------------------------------------------

SUMMARY: On April 20, 1994, the Environmental Protection Agency issued 
a notice of the availability of the draft Recovered Materials Advisory 
Notice (RMAN). The draft RMAN included EPA's recommendations for 
purchasing items that are or can be produced with recovered materials 
that were proposed for designation under the Federal government's 
recycled content products preference program (see 59 FR 18892). Today, 
EPA is providing notice that a final Recovered Materials Advisory 
Notice and supporting materials are available. This action will promote 
recycling by using government purchasing to expand markets for 
recovered materials. Section 6002 of the Resource Conservation and 
Recovery Act requires EPA to designate items that are or can be made 
with recovered materials and provide recommendations for the 
procurement of these items. EPA previously designated five items and 
combined the designations and recommendations in item-specific 
procurement guidelines.
    Executive Order 12873, ``Federal Acquisition, Recycling, and Waste 
Prevention,'' directs EPA to change the process for designating items 
and providing recommendations. EPA now is to designate procurement 
items in a Comprehensive Procurement Guideline and to provide 
recommendations in related Recovered Materials Advisory Notices. 
Elsewhere in today's Federal Register, EPA is finalizing its first 
Comprehensive Procurement Guideline (CPG). The CPG designates 19 new 
items for which this Recovered Materials Advisory Notice provides 
recommended recovered materials content levels. These recommendations 
are organized within the following product categories: paper and paper 
products, vehicular products, construction products, transportation 
products, park and recreation products, landscaping products, and non-
paper office products.

EFFECTIVE DATE: May 1, 1996.

ADDRESSES: The public docket for this notice is Docket No. F-95-PRMF-
FFFFF, located in Room M2616 of the RCRA Information Center (RIC)--Mail 
Code 5305, U.S. EPA, 401 M Street, SW., Washington, DC 20460. The RIC 
is open from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm, Monday through Friday, excluding 
Federal holidays. To review docket materials, the public must make an 
appointment by calling (202) 260-9327. Materials may be copied for 
$0.15 per page.

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION: ``RMAN for Items Designated in the 
Comprehensive Procurement Guideline--Supporting Analyses'' is the 
primary supporting document for the final Recovered Materials Advisory 
Notice (RMAN). Both the Federal Register notice and the supporting 
document will be available in electronic format on the Internet System 
through the EPA Public Access Server at gopher.epa.gov. For a paper 
copy of the Federal Register notice or ``RMAN for Items Designated in 
the Comprehensive Procurement Guideline--Supporting Analyses,'' please 
contact the RCRA Hotline at (800) 424-9346, or, in the Washington, DC 
metropolitan area, (703) 412-9810. Paper copies are also available in 
the RCRA Docket at the address listed in the previous section.
    For technical information regarding today's recommendations for the 
following individual items, contact the referenced EPA staff: Building 
insulation and engine coolant--Tracy Bone (703) 308-7259; cement and 
concrete containing GGBF slag and hydraulic mulch--Dana Arnold, (703) 
308-7279; carpet, floor tiles and patio blocks, playground surfaces and 
running tracks, yard trimmings compost, and temporary traffic control 
devices--Terry Grist, (703) 308-7257; structural fiberboard, laminated 
paperboard, and non-paper office products--Beverly Goldblatt, (703) 
P308-7278. For all other technical information, contact Beverly 
Goldblatt, (703) 308-7278, or Terry Grist (703) 308-7257.

Accessing Internet

1. Through Gopher: Go to: gopher.epa.gov
    From the main menu, choose ``EPA Offices and Regions''. Next, 
choose ``Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER)''. Next, 
choose ``Office of Solid Waste''. Then, choose ``Non-Hazardous Waste--
RCRA Subtitle D''. Finally, choose ``Procurement/RMAN''.
2. Through FTP: Go to: ftp.epa.gov
    Login: anonymous
    Password: Your Internet Address
    Files are located in directories/pub/gopher. All OSW files are in 
directories beginning with ``OSW''.
3. Through MOSAIC: Go to: http://www.epa.gov
    Choose the EPA Public Access Gopher. From the main (Gopher) menu, 
choose ``EPA Offices and Regions''. Next, choose ``Office of Solid 
Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER).'' Next, choose ``Office of Solid 
Waste''. Then, choose ``Non-Hazardous Waste--RCRA Subtitle D''. 
Finally, choose ``Procurement/RMAN''.
4. Through dial-up access:
    Dial 919-558-0335. Choose EPA Public Access Gopher. From the main 
(Gopher) menu, choose ``EPA Offices and Regions''. Next, choose 
``Office of Solid Waste and Emergency Response (OSWER)''. Next, choose 
``Office of Solid Waste''. Then, choose ``Non-Hazardous Waste--RCRA 
Subtitle D''. Finally, choose ``Procurement/RMAN''.

SUPPLEMENTARY INFORMATION:

I. Authority

    Today's Recovered Materials Advisory Notice is published under the 
authority of sections 2002(a) and 6002 of the Solid Waste Disposal Act, 
as amended by the Resource Conservation and Recovery Act of 1976, as 
amended, 42 U.S.C. 6912(a) and 6962, and Executive Order 12873 (58 FR 
54911, October 22, 1993).

II. Agency's Response to Public Comments

    EPA received a number of comments on the draft RMAN published on 
April 20, 1994 (see 59 FR 18892-18914). The vast majority of these 
comments were specific to the recovered materials content levels 
recommended in the RMAN for each designated item. EPA carefully 
considered all of the comments on the draft RMAN in developing the 
final recommendations included in today's notice. A summary of all 
comments received and the Agency's response to these comments are 
provided in the document entitled ``RMAN for Items Designated in the 
Comprehensive Procurement Guideline--Supporting Analyses.'' This 
document also provides discussions of any changes EPA made to the April 
1994 draft recommendations.

III. Consolidation of New and Existing Recommendations

    In the Comprehensive Procurement Guideline, which is found in the 
rules section of today's Federal Register, EPA is promulgating a final 
rule designating 19 items which are or can be made with recovered 
materials. The Recovered Materials Advisory Notice published here 
contains EPA's final recovered [[Page 21387]] materials content level 
recommendations for purchasing these 19 items.
    Prior to 1993, EPA combined item designations and related 
purchasing recommendations in one Federal Register notice and codified 
both the designations and recommendations in the Code of Federal 
Regulations. As required by Executive Order 12873, ``Federal 
Acquisition, Recycling, and Waste Prevention,'' (58 FR 54911, October 
22, 1993), EPA is using a new procedure for designating items and for 
providing purchasing recommendations for those items. While the 
designations will be codified in the Code of Federal Regulations, the 
recommendations will be available in guidance documents known as 
Recovered Materials Advisory Notices. In the draft RMAN (59 FR 18893), 
EPA established a framework for consolidating the recommendations for 
newly-designated items with the existing recommendations for paper and 
paper products, re-refined lubricating oil, retread tires, building 
insulation products, and cement and concrete containing coal fly ash. 
EPA stated that the RMAN would incorporate the then-current 
recommendations (see 59 FR 18893, April 20, 1994). Thus, the RMAN 
appended to this notice contains both recommendations for the 19 new 
items and recommendations consolidated from the five existing 
procurement guidelines. These consolidated recommendations replace the 
recommendations in the existing guidelines.
    On March 15, 1995, EPA published a Federal Register notice of the 
availability of a draft Paper Products Recovered Materials Advisory 
Notice (60 FR 14182). When final, the recommendations in the Paper 
Products RMAN will replace the recommendations found in Part II.A of 
today's RMAN.

    Dated: April 21, 1995.
Carol M. Browner,
Administrator.

Recovered Materials Advisory Notice

    The following represents EPA's recommendations to procuring 
agencies for purchasing the items designated in the Comprehensive 
Procurement Guideline (CPG) in compliance with section 6002 of the 
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act (RCRA).

Contents

I. General Recommendations
Part A--Definitions
Part B--Specifications
Part C--Affirmative Procurement Programs
II. Specific Recommendations for Procurement of Designated Items
Part A--Paper and Paper Products
Part B--Vehicular Products
    Section B-1--Lubricating Oil.
    Section B-2--Retread Tires.
    Section B-3--Engine Coolants.
Part C--Construction Products
    Section C-1--Building Insulation.
    Section C-2--Structural Fiberboard and Laminated Paperboard.
    Section C-3--Cement and Concrete.
    Section C-4--Carpet.
    Section C-5--Floor Tiles and Patio Blocks.
Part D--Transportation Products
    Section D-1--Temporary Traffic Control Devices.
Part E--Park and Recreation Products
    Section E-1--Playground Surfaces and Running Tracks.
Part F--Landscaping Products
    Section F-1--Hydraulic Mulch.
    Section F-2--Yard Trimmings Compost.
Part G--Non-Paper Office Products
    Section G-1--Office Recycling Containers and Office Waste 
Receptacles.
    Section G-2--Plastic Desktop Accessories.
    Section G-3--Toner Cartridges.
    Section G-4--Binders.
    Section G-5--Plastic Trash Bags.
Part H--Miscellaneous Products [Reserved]

I. General Recommendations

Part A--Definitions

    As used in this Recovered Materials Advisory Notice:
    Act or RCRA means the Solid Waste Disposal Act, as amended by the 
Resource Conservation and Recovery Act, as amended, 42 U.S.C 6901 et 
seq;
    Federal agency means any department, agency, or other 
instrumentality of the Federal government; any independent agency or 
establishment of the Federal government including any government 
corporation; and the Government Printing Office;
    Person means an individual, trust, firm, joint stock company, 
corporation (including a government corporation), partnership, 
association, Federal agency, State, municipality, commission, political 
subdivision of a State, or any interstate body;
    Postconsumer material means a material or finished product that has 
served its intended use and has been diverted or recovered from waste 
destined for disposal, having completed its life as a consumer item. 
Postconsumer material is a part of the broader category of recovered 
materials.
    Postconsumer recovered materials, for purposes of purchasing paper 
and paper products, is a subset of the broader term recovered 
materials, as defined in RCRA section 6002(h), and means:
    (1) Paper, paperboard and fibrous wastes from retail stores, office 
buildings, homes and so forth, after they have passed through their 
end-usage as a consumer item including: Used corrugated boxes; old 
newspapers; old magazines; mixed waste paper; tabulating cards and used 
cordage; and
    (2) All paper, paperboard and fibrous wastes that enter and are 
collected from municipal solid waste;
    Procuring agency means any Federal agency, or any State agency or 
agency of a political subdivision of a State, which is using 
appropriated Federal funds for such procurement, or any person 
contracting with any such agency with respect to work performed under 
such contract;
    Recovered materials means waste materials and byproducts which have 
been recovered or diverted from solid waste, but such term does not 
include those materials and byproducts generated from, and commonly 
reused within, an original manufacturing process;

Part B--Specifications

    EPA recommends that Federal agencies review and revise their 
product specifications with a view to eliminating unnecessary 
stringency as well as requirements which bear no relation to function 
in order to allow for the use of recovered materials. Specifications 
that bear no relation to function should be revised according to the 
agency's established specifications review procedures. EPA further 
recommends that, in reviewing an existing specification's provisions 
pertaining to function, Federal agencies refer to existing voluntary 
standards and research by organizations such as the American Society 
for Testing and Materials (ASTM), the American Association of State 
Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO), the Technical 
Association of the Pulp and Paper Industry (TAPPI), and the American 
Institute of Paper Chemistry.
    Federal agencies that reference Commercial Item Descriptions (CIDs) 
or appropriate industry standards should continue to reference them 
when purchasing designated items. However, agencies should review or 
modify CIDs and industry standards, as appropriate, to be certain that 
the use of recovered materials is allowed.
    Under RCRA section 6002, Federal agencies need not revise 
specifications to allow or require the use of recovered materials if it 
can be determined that for technical reasons, for a particular end use, 
a product containing such materials will not meet reasonable 
performance standards. EPA recommends that Federal agencies document 
such determinations and that the determination be based on technical 
performance information (including any product testing) pertaining to a 
specific [[Page 21388]] item or application. EPA further recommends 
that Federal agencies reference such documentation in the contract 
files for subsequent procurements of the specific item.
    In most cases, for the items designated in the CPG, EPA has 
recovered materials content levels for specific types or grades of 
items or for certain applications. EPA notes, however, that the intent 
is not to preclude Federal agencies from procuring other types or 
grades of items, or from using recovered materials content items for 
other applications. On the contrary, if a new type or grade of a 
designated item becomes available containing recovered materials or if 
a Federal agency discovers a new application for which recovered 
materials content is appropriate, EPA encourages the agency to revise 
its specifications or develop new specifications to allow the use of 
recovered materials in that type or grade of item or that specific 
application.

Part C--Affirmative Procurement Programs

    EPA recommends that the Environmental Executive within each major 
procuring agency take the lead in developing the agency's affirmative 
procurement program and in implementing the recommendations set forth 
in this RMAN. The basic responsibilities of an Agency Environmental 
Executive are described in sections 302 and 402 of Executive Order 
12873, ``Federal Acquisition, Recycling, and Waste Prevention,'' (58 FR 
54911, October 22, 1993). In the absence of such an individual, EPA 
recommends that the head of the implementing agency appoint an 
individual who will be responsible for ensuring the agency's compliance 
with RCRA section 6002 and Executive Order 12873.
    RCRA section 6002 and Executive Order 12873 require procuring 
agencies to establish affirmative procurement programs for each EPA-
designated item. EPA recommends that each agency develop a single, 
comprehensive affirmative procurement program with a structure that 
allows for the integration of new items as they are designated. 
Consistent with Executive Order 12873, EPA encourages agencies to 
implement preference programs for non-guideline items as well, in order 
to maximize their purchases of recycled content products and foster 
markets for recovered materials.
    Preference Program: In Section II of this RMAN, EPA provides 
specific recommendations for procuring agencies to use when purchasing 
the EPA-designated items. For most of these items, EPA recommends that 
procuring agencies establish minimum content standards based on EPA's 
recommended recovered materials content levels and the procuring 
agencies' own research. For other items, the use of minimum content 
standards is inappropriate, and procuring agencies should establish an 
alternative program, as recommended by EPA.
    In addition, EPA recommends that procuring agencies review their 
procurement practices and eliminate those that would inhibit or 
preclude the use of an item containing recovered materials. Specific 
examples of such procurement practices are provided in the item-
specific recommendations, where appropriate.
    Promotion Program: EPA recommends that procuring agencies include 
both internal and external promotion in their affirmative procurement 
programs.
    There are several methods that procuring agencies can use to 
educate their employees about their affirmative procurement programs. 
These methods include preparing and distributing agency affirmative 
procurement policies, publishing articles in agency newsletters and 
publications, including affirmative procurement program requirements in 
agency staff manuals, and conducting workshops and training sessions to 
educate employees about their responsibilities under agency affirmative 
procurement programs.
    Methods for educating existing contractors and potential bidders 
regarding an agency's preference for purchasing products containing 
recovered materials include publishing articles in appropriate trade 
publications, participating in vendor shows and trade fairs, placing 
statements in solicitations, and discussing an agency's affirmative 
procurement program at bidders' conferences.
    Monitoring: EPA recommends that procuring agencies monitor their 
affirmative procurement programs, in accordance with RCRA section 
6002(i)(2)(D) and Executive Order 12873, to ensure that they are 
fulfilling their requirements to purchase items composed of recovered 
materials to the maximum extent practicable. EPA anticipates that the 
Federal Environmental Executive and the Office of Federal Procurement 
Policy will request information from Federal agencies on their 
affirmative procurement practices. Therefore, EPA recommends that 
Federal procuring agencies maintain adequate records of procurements 
that may be affected by the Executive Order and RCRA requirements.
    EPA recommends that procuring agencies track their purchases of 
products containing recovered materials to establish benchmarks from 
which progress can be assessed. To maintain adequate records on 
procurement of products containing recovered materials, EPA recommends 
that procuring agencies choose to collect data on the following:
     The minimum percentages of recovered materials content in 
the items procured or offered;
     Comparative price information on competitive procurements;
     The quantity of each item procured over a fiscal year;
     The availability of each item with recovered materials 
content; and
     Performance information related to recovered materials 
content of an item.
    EPA recognizes that a procuring agency may be unable to obtain 
accurate data for all designated items. However, the Agency believes 
that in many cases, estimated data will suffice in determining the 
effectiveness of the agency's affirmative procurement program.
    Certification: Certification of the recovered materials content in 
products is an important mechanism for encouraging the use of recovered 
materials in finished products. Because each product will be different, 
EPA recommends that procuring agencies discuss certification with 
product vendors to ascertain the appropriate period for certifying 
recovered materials content. EPA recommends that, whenever feasible, 
the recovered materials content of a product be certified on a batch-
by-batch basis or as an average over a calendar quarter or some other 
appropriate averaging period as determined by the procuring agencies.

II. Specific Recommendations for Procurement of Designated Items

Part A--Paper and Paper Products

    Following are the preference program and specifications 
recommendations from the previous procurement guideline (formerly found 
at 40 CFR part 250) and a subsequent Procurement Guidelines Advisory 
issued by EPA on November 20, 1990. On March 15, 1995, EPA issued a 
draft Paper Products Recovered Materials Advisory Notice (RMAN) in the 
Federal Register (see 60 FR 14182) which contains draft revisions to 
the Agency's recommendations for paper products. When EPA issues final 
recommendations for paper and paper [[Page 21389]] products, procuring 
agencies should substitute them for the recommendations found in this 
section of the RMAN.
    Preference program. EPA recommends that procuring agencies set 
their minimum content levels at the highest levels that meet the 
statutory requirements of RCRA section 6002(c)(1), but no lower than 
the levels shown in Table A-1.

           Table A-1.--EPA Recommended Minimum Content Standards of Selected Papers and Paper Products          
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                                      Minimum                   
                                                                      Minimum      percentage of                
                                                                   percentage of     recovered        Minimum   
                                                                     recovered     postconsumer    percentage of
                                                                     materials       recovered    waste paper\1\
                                                                                     materials                  
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Newsprint.......................................................  ..............              40  ..............
High grade bleached printing and writing paper:                                                                 
    Offset printing.............................................  ..............  ..............              50
    Mimeo and duplicator paper..................................  ..............  ..............              50
    Writing (stationery)........................................  ..............  ..............              50
    Office paper (e.g., note pads)..............................  ..............  ..............              50
    Paper for high-speed copiers................................  ..............  ..............              50
    Envelopes...................................................  ..............  ..............              50
    Form bond including computer paper and carbonless...........  ..............  ..............              50
    Book papers.................................................  ..............  ..............              50
    Bond papers.................................................  ..............  ..............              50
    Ledger......................................................  ..............  ..............              50
    Cover stock.................................................  ..............  ..............              50
    Cotton fiber papers.........................................              25  ..............              50
Tissue products:                                                                                                
    Toilet tissue...............................................  ..............              20  ..............
    Paper towels................................................  ..............              40  ..............
    Paper napkins...............................................  ..............              30  ..............
    Facial tissue...............................................  ..............               5  ..............
    Doilies.....................................................  ..............              40  ..............
    Industrial wipers...........................................  ..............               0  ..............
Unbleached packaging:                                                                                           
    Corrugated boxes............................................  ..............              35  ..............
    Fiber boxes.................................................  ..............              35  ..............
    Brown papers (e.g., bags)...................................  ..............               5  ..............
Recycled paperboard:                                                                                            
    Recycled paperboard products including folding cartons......  ..............              80  ..............
    Pad backing.................................................  ..............              90  ..............
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\Waste paper is defined in 40 CFR 247 (old 40 CFR 250) and refers to specified postconsumer and other         
  recovered materials.                                                                                          

Part B--Vehicular Products

Section B-1--Lubricating Oil
    Preference Program. EPA recommends that procuring agencies set 
their minimum re-refined oil content standard at the highest level of 
re-refined oil that they determine meets the statutory requirements of 
RCRA section 6002(c)(1), but no lower than 25 percent re-refined oil.
    EPA recommends that procuring agencies review their procurement 
practices and eliminate those which would inhibit or preclude 
procurement of lubricating oils containing re-refined oil. For example, 
procuring agencies should review the practices of inviting bids and 
issuing contracts to do the following:
    (1) Supply a broad range of lubricating oil products on an ``all or 
none'' basis.
    (2) Supply lubricating oils for an excessively long period of time.
    (3) Deliver lubricating oils to geographic locations throughout the 
United States or to an excessively broad geographic area.
    (4) Supply excessively large contract quantities.
    Specifications. EPA recommends that procuring agencies use the 
following specifications when procuring lubricating oils containing re-
refined oil:
    (1) Engine lubricating oils.
    (i) A-A-52039--Commercial Item Description, Lubricating Oil, 
Automotive Engine, API Service SG (replaced MIL-L-46152, Lubricating 
Oil, Internal Combustion Engine, Administrative Service).
    (ii) API Engine Service Category SF-1980 Gasoline Engine Warranty 
Maintenance Service (or current category)
    (iii) A-A-52306--Commercial Item Description, Lubricating Oil, 
Heavy-Duty Diesel Engine (for wheeled vehicles only)
    (iv) API Engine Service Category CC--Diesel Engine Service (or 
current category)
    (v) MIL-L-2104, Lubricating Oil, Internal Combustion Engine, 
Combat/Tactical Service
    (vi) API Engine Service Category CD--Diesel Engine Service (or 
current category)
    (vii) MIL-L-21260D (or current version)--Lubricating Oil, Internal 
Combustion Engine, Preservative and Break-in
    (viii) MIL-L-46167B (or current version)--Lubricating Oil, Internal 
Combustion Engine, Arctic
    (2) Hydraulic fluids.
    (i) MIL-H-5606E (or current version)--Hydraulic Fluid, Petroleum 
Base, Aircraft, Missile, and Ordnance
    (ii) MIL-H-6083E (or current version)--Hydraulic Fluid, Petroleum 
Base, For Preservation and Operation
    (3) Gear oils.
    (i) MIL-L-2105D (or current version) Lubricating Oil, Gear, 
Multipurpose
    (b) Copies of the military specifications can be obtained from: 
Commanding Officer, Naval Publications and Forms Center, 5801 
[[Page 21390]] Tabor Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19120.
    Preference program. EPA recommends that procuring agencies 
establish preference programs consisting of two components:
    (1) Procurement of tire retreading services for the agencies' used 
tire casings. EPA recommends that procuring agencies specify that tire 
repair and retread services must conform to Federal Specification ZZ-T-
441H (or current version); obtain retreading services from retreaders 
participating in the U.S. General Services Administration, Federal Tire 
Program's Quality Assurance Facility Inspection Program (QAFIP); and 
require bidders to submit a copy of their current certification under 
the QAFIP.
    (2) Procurement of tires through competition between vendors of new 
tires and vendors of retread tires. EPA recommends that procuring 
agencies specify that retread tires must meet the requirements of 
Federal Specification ZZ-T-381, ``Tires, Pneumatic, Vehicular (Highway) 
(New and Retreaded),'' and be listed on Qualified Products List QPL-ZZ-
T-381, issue in effect. EPA further recommends that procuring agencies 
require bidders to submit a copy of their current certification under 
the U.S. General Services Administration, Federal Tire Program's 
Quality Assurance Facility Inspection Program (QAFIP).
    In the event that identical low bids are received in response to a 
solicitation, all other factors being equal, procuring agencies should 
provide a preference to the vendor offering to supply the greatest 
number of retread tires.
    Preference Program: EPA recommends that procuring agencies whose 
vehicles are serviced by a motor pool or vehicle maintenance facility 
establish a program for engine coolant reclamation and reuse, 
consisting of either reclaiming the spent engine coolants on-site for 
use in the agencies' vehicles, or establishing a service contract for 
reclamation of the agencies' spent engine coolant for use in the 
agencies' vehicles.
    EPA also recommends that procuring agencies request reclaimed 
engine coolant when having their vehicles serviced at commercial 
service centers. Additionally, EPA recommends that agencies purchase 
reclaimed engine coolant when making direct purchases of this item such 
as when necessary to make up for losses due to leakage or spillage.
    EPA does not recommend one type of engine coolant over another. 
However, EPA recommends that procuring agencies purchase engine coolant 
containing only one base chemical, typically ethylene glycol or 
propylene glycol, to prevent the commingling of incompatible types of 
engine coolant.

Part C--Construction Products

    Note: Refer to Part F--Landscaping Products for additional items 
that can be used in construction.

Section C-1.--Building Insulation

    Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered 
materials content levels shown in Table C-1, procuring agencies 
establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing building 
insulation products.

 Table C-1.--Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Building
                               Insulation                               
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Recovered materials (materials and
        Insulation material                           %)                
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Rock Wool..........................  Slag 75.                           
Fiberglass.........................  Glass cullet 20-25.                
Cellulose loose-fill and spray-on..  Postconsumer paper 75.             
Perlite composite board............  Postconsumer paper 23              
Plastic Rigid Foam,                  Recovered material 9.              
 Polyisocyanurate/polyurethane:                                         
 Rigid foam.                                                            
Foam-in-place......................  Recovered material 5.              
Glass fiber reinforced.............  Recovered material 6.              
Phenolic rigid foam................  Recovered material 5.              
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Note: The recommended recovered materials content levels are 
based on the weight (not volume) of materials in the insulating core 
only.

    Specifications: EPA recommends that procuring agencies reference 
ASTM standard specification D 5359, ``Glass Cullet Recovered from Waste 
for Use in Manufacture of Glass Fiber,'' in Invitations for Bid and 
Requests for Proposal.
Section C-2--Structural Fiberboard and Laminated Paperboard
    Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered 
materials content levels shown in Table C-2, procuring agencies 
establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing structural 
fiberboard or laminated paperboard products for use in either 
insulating or structural applications.

     Table C-2.--Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for     
             Structural Fiberboard and Laminated Paperboard             
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                 Total  
                                                 Postconsumer  recovered
                    Product                        recovered   materials
                                                   paper (%)    content 
                                                                  (%)   
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Structural fiberboards.........................  ............     80-100
Laminated paperboards..........................          100         100
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Note: The recovered materials content levels are based on the 
weight (not volume) of materials in the insulating core only.

    Specifications: EPA recommends that procuring agencies use ASTM 
Standard Specification C 208 and ANSI/AHA specification A194.1. EPA 
further recommends that, when purchasing structural fiberboard products 
containing recovered paper, procuring agencies (1) reference the 
technical requirements of ASTM C 208, ``Insulating Board (Cellulosic 
Fiber), Structural and Decorative,'' (2) permit structural fiberboard 
products made from recovered paper where appropriate, and (3) permit 
products such as floor underlayment and roof overlay containing 
recovered paper.
    EPA further recommends that procuring agencies review their 
specifications for insulating products and revise them as necessary to 
obtain the appropriate ``R''-value without unnecessarily precluding the 
purchase of products containing recovered materials.
Section C-3--Cement and Concrete
    Preference Program: EPA recommends that procuring agencies prepare 
or revise their procurement programs for cement and concrete or for 
construction projects involving cement and concrete to allow the use of 
coal fly ash or ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBF slag), as 
appropriate. EPA does not recommend that procuring agencies favor one 
recovered material over the other. Rather, EPA recommends that 
procuring agencies consider the use of both recovered materials and 
choose the one that meets their performance requirements, consistent 
with availability and price considerations. EPA also recommends that 
procuring agencies specifically include provisions in all construction 
contracts to allow for the use, as optional or alternate materials, of 
cement or concrete which contains coal fly ash or GGBF slag, where 
appropriate.
    Due to variations in coal fly ash, GGBF slag, cement, strength 
[[Page 21391]] requirements, costs, and construction practices, EPA is 
not recommending recovered materials content levels for cement or 
concrete containing coal fly ash or GGBF slag. However, EPA is 
providing the following information about recovered materials content.
     Replacement rates of coal fly ash for cement in the 
production of blended cement generally do not exceed 20-30 percent, 
although coal fly ash blended cements may range from 0-40 percent coal 
fly ash by weight, according to ASTM C 595, for cement Types IP and 
I(PM). Fifteen percent is a more accepted rate when coal fly ash is 
used as a partial cement replacement as an admixture in concrete.
     According to ASTM C 595, GGBF slag may replace up to 70 
percent of the Portland cement in some concrete mixtures. Most GGBF 
slag concrete mixtures contain between 25 and 50 percent GGBF slag by 
weight. EPA recommends that procuring agencies refer, at a minimum, to 
ASTM C 595 for the GGBF slag content appropriate for the intended use 
of the cement and concrete.
    Specifications: The following recommendations address guide 
specifications, materials specifications, contract specifications, 
performance standards, mix design, and quality control.
     Guide specifications. EPA recommends that procuring 
agencies ensure that their guide specifications do not inappropriately 
or unfairly discriminate against the use of coal fly ash or GGBF slag 
in cement and concrete. EPA further recommends that procuring agencies 
revise their guide specifications to require that contract 
specifications for individual construction projects or products allow 
for the use of coal fly ash or GGBF slag, unless the use of these 
materials is technically inappropriate for a particular construction 
application.
     Materials specifications. EPA recommends that procuring 
agencies use the existing voluntary consensus specifications referenced 
in Table C-3 for cement and concrete containing GGBF slag.

     Table C-3.--Recommended Specifications for Cement and Concrete     
                     Containing Recovered Materials                     
------------------------------------------------------------------------
  Cement specifications               Concrete specifications           
------------------------------------------------------------------------
ASTM C 595, ``Standard     ASTM C 618, ``Standard Specification for Fly 
 Specification for          Ash and Raw or Calcined Natural Pozzolan for
 Blended Hydraulic          Use as a Mineral Admixture in Portland      
 Cements.''.                Cement Concrete.''                          
ASTM C 150, ``Standard     ASTM C 311, ``Standard Methods of Sampling   
 Specification for          and Testing Fly Ash and Natural Pozzolans   
 Portland Cement.''.        for Use as a Mineral Admixture in Portland  
                            Cement Concrete.''                          
AASHTO M 240, ``Blended    ASTM C 989, ``Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace
 Hydraulic Cements.''.      Slag for Use in Concrete Mortars.''         
                           AASHTO M 302, ``Ground Granulated Blast      
                            Furnace Slag for Use in Concrete and        
                            Mortars.''                                  
                           American Concrete Institute Standard Practice
                            ACI 226.R1, ``Ground Granulated Blast-      
                            Furnace Slag as a Cementitious Constituent  
                            in Concrete.''                              
------------------------------------------------------------------------

     State specifications. EPA recommends that procuring 
agencies consult other agencies with established specifications for 
coal fly ash or GGBF slag to benefit from their experience. Procuring 
agencies can consult the Federal Highway Administration, which 
maintains a data base of state highway agency material specifications. 
The States of Alabama, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, 
Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, North 
Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia 
have adopted specifications which allow the use of GGBF slag in one or 
more applications. If needed, procuring agencies can obtain these 
specifications from the respective state transportation departments and 
adapt them for use in their programs for cement and concrete, as 
appropriate.
     Contract specifications. EPA recommends that procuring 
agencies which prepare or review ``contract'' specifications for 
individual construction projects revise those specifications to allow 
the use of cement and concrete containing coal fly ash or GGBF slag as 
optional or alternate materials for the project, where appropriate, 
consistent with the agencies' performance and price objectives.
     Performance standards. EPA recommends that procuring 
agencies review and, if necessary, revise performance standards 
relating to cement or concrete construction projects to insure that 
they do not arbitrarily restrict the use of coal fly ash or GGBF slag, 
either intentionally or inadvertently, unless the restriction is 
justified on a job-by-job basis: (1) To meet reasonable performance 
requirements for the cement or concrete or (2) because the use of coal 
fly ash or GGBF slag would be inappropriate for technical reasons. EPA 
recommends that this justification be documented based on specific 
technical performance information. Legitimate documentation of 
technical infeasibility for coal fly ash or GGBF slag can be for 
certain classes of applications, rather than on a job-by-job basis. 
Procuring agencies should reference such documentation in individual 
contract specifications to avoid extensive repetition of previously 
documented points. However, procuring agencies should be prepared to 
submit such documentation to analysis by interested persons, and should 
have a review process available in the event of disagreements.
     Mix design. In concrete mix design specifications which 
specify minimum cement content or maximum water, the cement ratios 
could potentially unfairly discriminate against the use of coal fly ash 
or GGBF slag. Such specifications should be changed in order to allow 
the partial substitution of coal fly ash or GGBF slag for cement in the 
concrete mixture, unless technically inappropriate. Cement ratios may 
be retained, as long as they reflect the cementitious characteristics 
which coal fly ash or GGBF slag can impart to a concrete mixture, e.g., 
by considering Portland cement plus coal fly ash or Portland cement 
plus GGBF slag as the total cementitious component.
     Quality control. Nothing in this RMAN should be construed 
to relieve the contractor of responsibility for providing a 
satisfactory product. Cement and concrete suppliers are already 
responsible both for the quality of the ingredients of their product 
and for meeting appropriate performance requirements, and will continue 
to be under this RMAN. Nothing in EPA's recommendations should be 
construed as a shift in normal industry procedures for assigning 
responsibility and liability for product quality.
    Procuring agencies should expect suppliers of blended cement, coal 
fly ash or GGBF slag, and concrete to demonstrate (through reasonable 
testing programs or previous experience) the [[Page 21392]] performance 
and reliability of their product and the adequacy of their quality 
control programs. However, procuring agencies should not subject cement 
and concrete containing coal fly ash or GGBF slag to any unreasonable 
testing requirements.
    In accordance with standard industry practice, coal fly ash and 
GGBF slag suppliers should be required to provide to users a statement 
of the key characteristics of the product supplied. These 
characteristics may be stated in appropriate ranges. Other 
characteristics should be requested as needed by the procuring agency.
    Agencies desiring a testing or quality assurance program for 
cements, blended cements, or coal fly ash should contact the U.S. Army 
Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, PO Box 631, Vicksburg, 
Mississippi 39180.
Section C-4--Carpet
    Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered 
materials content levels shown in Table C-4, procuring agencies 
establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing polyester 
carpet for light- and moderate-wear applications. This recommendation 
does not include polyester carpet for use in heavy-wear or severe-wear 
applications; however, procuring agencies are encouraged to evaluate 
the suitability of polyester carpet in these applications. These 
recommendations do not preclude a procuring agency from purchasing 
carpet made of other materials, such as nylon, wool, or polypropylene.

  Table C-4.--Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Carpet 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Postconsumer
                    Product                        Resin      Materials 
                                                                 (%)    
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Polyester Carpet Face Fiber....................        PET       25-100 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Specifications: EPA recommends that Federal procuring agencies use 
GSA's New Item Introductory Schedule when purchasing polyester carpet 
containing recovered materials. EPA also recommends that procuring 
agencies review their specifications and revise them to permit, where 
suitable, the use of polyester carpet containing recovered materials. 
In particular, EPA recommends that agencies currently limiting carpet 
materials to nylon, wool, or other materials consider adding polyester, 
where appropriate, to enable them to procure carpet containing 
recovered materials.
Section C-5--Floor Tiles and Patio Blocks
    Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered 
materials content levels shown in Table C-5, procuring agencies 
establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing heavy-duty/
commercial type floor tiles and patio blocks made with rubber or 
plastic.

 Table C-5.--Recommended Recovered Materials Levels for Floor Tiles and 
                              Patio Blocks                              
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Total   
                                               Postconsumer   recovered 
        Product                Material          materials    materials 
                                                    (%)          (%)    
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Patio blocks..........  rubber or rubber             90-100  ...........
                         blends.                                        
                        Plastic or plastic     ............       90-100
                         blends.                                        
Floor tiles (heavy      Rubber...............        90-100  ...........
 duty/commercial use).                                                  
                        Plastic..............  ............       90-100
------------------------------------------------------------------------


    Note: The recommended recovered materials content levels are 
based on the dry weight of the raw materials, exclusive of any 
additives such as adhesives, binders, or coloring agents. EPA's 
recommendation does not preclude procuring agencies from purchasing 
floor tiles or patio blocks manufactured from another material. It 
simply recommends that procuring agencies, when purchasing floor 
tiles or patio blocks made from rubber or plastic, purchase these 
items made from recovered materials. Recommendations for floor tiles 
are limited to heavy-duty/commercial-type applications only.

Part D--Transportation Products

Section D-1--Temporary Traffic Control Devices
    Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered 
materials content levels shown in Table D-1, procuring agencies 
establish minimum content standards for use in traffic cones and 
traffic barricades.

 Table D-1.--Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Traffic 
                      Cones and Traffic Barricades                      
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                                Total   
                                               Postconsumer   recovered 
        Product                Material          materials    materials 
                                                    (%)          (%)    
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Traffic Cones.........  PVC, LDPE, Crumb       ............      50--100
                         Rubber.                                        
Traffic Barricades      HDPE, LDPE, PET Steel       80--100          100
 (Type I & II only).                                                    
                        Fiberglass...........  ............          100
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Note: The recommended recovered materials content levels are 
based on the dry weight of the raw materials, exclusive of any 
additives such as adhesives, binders, or coloring agents.

Part E--Park and Recreation Products

Section E-1--Playground Surfaces and Running Tracks
    Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered 
materials content levels shown in Table E-1, procuring agencies 
establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing playground 
surfaces and running tracks made of rubber or plastic.

                                                                        
[[Page 21393]]                                                          
     Table E-1.--Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for     
                 Playground Surfaces and Running Tracks                 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                            Postconsumer
                                                              recovered 
           Product                      Material              materials 
                                                                 (%)    
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Playground Surfaces.........  Rubber or Plastic...........       90--100
Running Tracks..............  Rubber or Plastic...........       90--100
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Note: The recommended recovered materials content levels are 
based on the dry weight of the raw materials, exclusive of any 
additives such as adhesives, binders, or coloring agents. EPA's 
recommendation does not preclude procuring agencies from purchasing 
playground surfaces or running tracks manufactured from another 
material. It simply recommends that procuring agencies, when 
purchasing playground surfaces or running tracks made from rubber or 
plastic, purchase these items made from recovered materials.

Part F--Landscaping Products

Section F-1--Hydraulic Mulch
    Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered 
materials content levels shown in Table F-1, procuring agencies 
establish minimum content standards for paper-based and wood-based 
hydraulic mulch products.

Table F-1.--Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Hydraulic
                             Mulch Products                             
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Recovered materials (materials and
      Hydraulic mulch products                        %)                
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Paper-Based Hydraulic Mulch........  Postconsumer recovered paper 100.  
Wood-Based Hydraulic Mulch.........  Recovered wood and/or paper 100.   
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Note: The recommended recovered materials content levels are 
based on the dry weight of the fiber, exclusive of any dyes, wetting 
agents, seeds, fertilizer, or other non-cellulose additives.
Section F-2--Yard Trimmings Compost
    Preference Program: EPA recommends that procuring agencies purchase 
or use compost made from yard trimmings, leaves, and/or grass clippings 
in such applications as landscaping, seeding of grass or other plants 
on roadsides and embankments, as nutritious mulch under trees and 
shrubs, and in erosion control and soil reclamation.
    EPA further recommends that those procuring agencies that have an 
adequate volume of yard trimmings, leaves, and/or grass clippings, as 
well as sufficient space for composting, should implement a composting 
system to produce compost from these materials to meet their 
landscaping and other needs.
    Specifications: EPA recommends that procuring agencies ensure that 
there is no language in their specifications for fertilizers and soil 
amendments that would preclude or discourage the use of compost. For 
instance, if specifications address the use of straw or hay in roadside 
revegetation projects, procuring agencies should assess whether compost 
could substitute for straw or hay or be used in combination with them.
    The State of Maine has developed quality standards for compost 
products that are used by its agencies and/or purchased with state 
funds. The quality standards have been set for six types of compost 
products, ranging from topsoil (three classes), to wetland substrate, 
to mulch (two classes). For each of these types of compost product, 
standards for maturity, odor, texture, nutrients, Ph, salt content, 
organic content, pathogen reduction, heavy metals, foreign matter, 
moisture content, and density have been established. EPA recommends 
that procuring agencies obtain and adapt this or another suitable 
specification for their use in purchasing compost products.

Part G--Non-Paper Office Products

Section G-1--Office Recycling Containers and Office Waste Receptacles
    Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered 
materials content levels shown in Table G-1, procuring agencies 
establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing office 
recycling containers and office waste receptacles.

  Table G-1.--Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Office 
            Recycling Containers and Office Waste Receptacles           
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Recovered materials (materials and
              Product                              percent)             
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Office Recycling Containers and      Plastic 20-100 Postconsumer        
 Office Waste Receptacles.            Recovered Materials.              
                                     Paper Refer to the Paper Products  
                                      Recommendations in Part A of RMAN.
                                     Steel 25-100 Total recovered       
                                      materials.                        
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Note: EPA's recommendation for office recycling containers and 
office waste receptacles containing recovered plastic, paper, or 
steel does not preclude procuring agencies from purchasing 
containers or receptacles manufactured using another material, such 
as wood. It simply recommends that procuring agencies, when 
purchasing office recycling containers or office waste receptacles 
manufactured from plastic, paper, or steel, seek such containers 
made with recovered materials. [[Page 21394]] 
Section G-2-Desktop Accessories
    Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered 
materials content levels shown in Table G-2, procuring agencies 
establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing plastic 
desktop accessories. If items are not available within the recommended 
range, procuring agencies should seek the items with the highest 
percentage of recovered materials practicable.

  Table G-2--Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Plastic 
                           Desktop Accessories                          
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                       Postconsumer recovered materials 
              Product                       (material and percent)      
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plastic Desktop Accessories........  Polystyrene 25-80.                 
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Note: EPA's recommendation does not preclude procuring agencies 
from purchasing a desktop accessory manufactured from another 
material, such as paper, wood, or steel. It simply recommends that, 
when purchasing plastic desktop accessories, procuring agencies 
purchase these items made from recovered materials.
Section G-3--Toner Cartridges
    Preference Program: EPA recommends that procuring agencies 
establish procedures and policies that give priority to remanufacturing 
the agencies' expended toner cartridges. EPA recommends that, under 
such policies and procedures, procuring agencies procure 
remanufacturing services for expended cartridges and, when such 
services are unavailable or not practicable, obtain remanufactured 
toner cartridges or new toner cartridges made with recovered materials 
from product vendors.
Section G-4--Binders
    Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the recovered 
materials content levels shown in Table G-3, procuring agencies 
establish minimum content standards for use in purchasing binders.

 Table G-3.--Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Binders 
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                      Recovered materials (materials and
              Product                              percent)             
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plastic-Covered Binders (Plastic     Plastic 25-50.                     
 Covering).                                                             
Chipboard, Paperboard, or            Paper Refer to Paper Products      
 Pressboard Binders or Binder         Recommendations in Part A of RMAN.
 Components.                                                            
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Note: The chipboard, paperboard, or pressboard binders or 
components of plastic-covered binders or binders covered with 
another material, such as cloth, are covered under the 
recommendation for paper and paper products (see Part A of the 
RMAN). EPA's recommendations do not preclude procuring agencies from 
purchasing binders covered with or manufactured using another 
material, such as cloth. It simply recommends that procuring 
agencies, when purchasing binder types designated in the procurement 
guidelines, purchase these binders containing recovered materials.

    Specifications: GSA's specification for binders, A-A-2549A, covers 
four types of binders, including cloth bound, flexible cover; cloth 
bound, stiff cover; plastic bound, flexible cover; and plastic bound, 
stiff cover. In the specification, GSA requires its binders to contain 
``a minimum of 100% waste paper, including a minimum of 30% 
postconsumer recovered materials.''
Section G-5--Plastic Trash Bags
    Preference Program: EPA recommends that, based on the content 
levels shown in Table G-4, procuring agencies establish minimum content 
standards for use in purchasing plastic trash bags.

 Table G-4.--Recommended Recovered Materials Content Levels for Plastic 
                               Trash Bags                               
------------------------------------------------------------------------
                                                 Postconsumer recovered 
                   Product                      materials (material and 
                                                        percent)        
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Plastic Trash Bags...........................  Plastic 10-100.          
------------------------------------------------------------------------

    Note: EPA's recommendation does not preclude procuring agencies 
from purchasing a trash bag manufactured using another material, 
such as paper. It merely recommends that procuring agencies, when 
purchasing plastic trash bags, purchase these items made from 
recovered materials.

Part H--Miscellaneous Products

[FR Doc. 95-506 Filed 4-28-95; 8:45 am]
BILLING CODE 6560-50-P