The GSA is considering issuing rules that would cut back on the purchase of single-use plastic items and packaging materials through the federal supply schedules.
In an advance notice of proposed rule making in the July 7 Federal Register, the GSA said it already has taken some steps in that direction, last fall requiring consideration of content waste, including packaging, as part of requirements planning for GSA acquisitions. Since then, an executive order further agencies to reduce waste, including supporting recycled content.
The notice seeks information “pertaining to the use of plastic consumed in both packaging and shipping, as well as other single-use plastics for which the agency contracts.” That is to include: how it can “aid its contractors in moving to environmentally preferable packing and packaging”; how quickly it should do so; and any “market, regulatory, statutory or cost barriers to selecting environmentally preferable packaging such as paper based or biodegradable packaging.”
Also: “which, if any, single use plastic items GSA should choose not to contract for through its federal supply schedules”; whether exceptions would be needed “to ensure no harm to customer agency missions”; and how requirements to reduce or eliminate certain content could be verified.
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