Green Purchasing, Environmentally Preferable Purchasing, and Sustainable Purchasing are all words that describe buying products or services that have a reduced negative impact on human health and the environment as compared to other products and services designed for the same use.

There are numerous resources to help you find all kinds of products from mattresses to building materials. Here are a few to get you started:

• The National Green Pages
• Green Seal Energy Star
• US General Services Administration
• Consumer Reports Greener Choices: Products for a Better Planet
• USDA Biopreferred

In addition to learning about the green products that are available, you can find useful information including tips on how to read the labels, and alternative cleaning solutions just inside your cupboards. You can also search for a product based on specific criteria such as Green Seal approved, non toxic or bio based.

Additional Resources

http://www.coopamerica.org/pubs/greenpages/

http://www.greenseal.org/index.cfm

http://www.energystar.gov/index.cfm?fuseaction=find_a_product

http://www.gsa.gov/Portal/gsa/ep/channelView.do?pageTypeId=8207&channelPage=/ep/channel/gsaOverview.jsp&channelId=-12972

http://www.greenerchoices.org/

http://www.biopreferred.gov/Default.aspx?SMSESSION=NO