A. It is the intent of the Legislature that all state public entities procure products or materials with the recycled content levels required or specified by rules promulgated pursuant to the provisions of this section when such products or materials are available.

B. By July 1, 1993, the Division when accepting bids for state purchases of supplies, equipment and materials shall give preference to the suppliers of paper products or products manufactured with recycled materials if:

1. The price for recycled products and materials is not substantially higher than the price for nonrecycled products and materials. The Office of Management and Enterprise Services shall establish by rule the annual percentage over and above the price of nonrecycled products and materials which will be allowed for the purchase of recycled products and materials; and

2. The quality and grade requirements are otherwise comparable.

C. By July 1, 1993, any state public entity not subject to The Central Purchasing Act when accepting bids for purchases of supplies, equipment and materials, shall give preference to the suppliers of recycled paper products and products manufactured from recycled materials if:

1. The price for recycled products and materials is not substantially higher than the price for nonrecycled products and materials. The price paid for recycled products and materials shall not exceed the percentage over the price for nonrecycled products and materials established by the Office; and

2. The quality and grade requirements are otherwise comparable.

D. The Purchasing Division and any state public entity not subject to The Central Purchasing Act shall ensure, to the greatest extent economically practical and possible, that the recycled or recovered content of all paper purchased by the Division or agency, measured as a proportion, by weight, of paper products purchased in a calendar year, is not less than the following:

1. By 1995, ten percent (10%) of all purchased paper;

2. By 1997, twenty-five percent (25%) of all purchased paper; and

3. By 1999, forty percent (40%) of all purchased paper.

E. 1. By July 1, 1993, the Division shall promulgate rules and implement a program for extending state procurement specifications to products manufactured with recycled materials and identifying recycled products.

2. By July 1, 1993, any state public entity not subject to The Central Purchasing Act shall implement a program for extending agency procurement specifications to products manufactured with recycled materials.

F. In writing specifications under this section, the Office and any other state public entity shall incorporate requirements relating to the recyclability and ultimate disposition of products and, wherever possible, shall write the specifications so as to minimize the amount of solid waste generated by the state. All specifications under this section shall discourage the purchase of single-use, disposable products and require, whenever practical, the purchase of multiple-use, durable products.

G. For materials that are not otherwise recycled, the Division and each state public entity not subject to The Central Purchasing Act shall, to the extent practicable, enter into agreements to purchase products made from recyclable materials from vendors who agree to purchase like materials separated from solid waste generated by the state for reuse or use as a raw material in manufacturing.

Added by Laws 1988, c. 311, § 4, eff. July 1, 1988. Amended by Laws 1990, c. 145, § 4, operative July 1, 1990; Laws 1992, c. 155, § 3, eff. July 1, 1992; Laws 2012, c. 304, § 777.