Custom Search
|
|
|
||
 the material it protects. This is unavoidable in the shipment of delicate
instruments, computer components, etc; however, many times durable goods are
shipped in the same manner. (2) Shipping and packaging specifications shall
be written in order to avoid use of excess packaging. Military procuring
agencies shall inventory shipping and packaging policies to determine if
unnecessary packaging is being used or required. (3) Reuse of cartons and
packaging materials may also be encouraged in some instances.
4.3.4 Use of Recycled Materials. The Resource Conservation and Recovery
Act (PL 94-580) requires federal procuring agencies to "procure items composed
of the highest percentage of recovered materials practicable consistent with
maintaining a satisfactory level of competition." [Section 6002(c)(1)(a)].
This requirement applies to items with a purchase price in excess of $10,000
or where a quantity of items purchased in the preceding fiscal year was
$10,000 or more [Section 6002(a), RCRA]. These policies have resulted in
federal agencies being required to evaluate their procurement regulations and
have helped create a market for recycled, and therefore recyclable, materials.
Procurement of materials in such a manner to minimize the generation of wastes
is required.
4.3.4.1 Careful planning by procurement agencies to order items
containing recycled materials will result in their being ordered in large
quantities. This practice will result in reduced per unit costs. Some items
that regularly contain recycled materials and which are ordered by most
federal purchasing agencies are paper products (especially office paper,
packaging, paper towels, and bathroom tissue) and certain types of metals,
plastics, and fabrics. Re-refined oil may also be purchased in bulk
quantities by procurement agencies. Where it has been shown to be more
economical than burning used oil in heating plants, make every effort to enter
into a program in which waste oil generated by the installation may be sold to
a re-refiner and re-refined oil purchased for a reduced price. Current
military specifications allow for the use of re-refined oil in administrative
vehicles. As these specifications are expanded to include tactical vehicles,
procurement agencies shall in turn eliminate specifications requiring the
purchase of virgin petroleum products and preventing the purchase of re-
refined products.
4.3.5 Minimize Waste. Commanders shall ensure that waste of military
items and property is prevented. One way is to conduct a survey to determine
waste generated by shops and other facilities. The items found by the survey
shall be evaluated to determine if waste could be minimized by substitution of
materials, change of process, or elimination of material or process. Every
effort shall be made to procure items so that the items or components of the
items can be converted to other users when no longer suitable for their
original use. Some examples of waste reduction applicable to military
installations are:
!
use
of
refillable beverage containers
!
use
of
reusable food service plates, cups, and utensils
!
use
of
both sides of paper in printing reports and documents
!
use
of
recyclable packaging containers for procurements.
4.3.5.1 Military agencies shall make every effort to prevent
overissue of expendable items. Procurement agencies shall make every effort
4-70
|
 
|
|
|
||
