One change is that the final rule clarifies that an icon will be used in GSA’s acquisition platforms to identify single-use plastic-free packaging, regardless if it is brand/product packaging or shipping packaging. Image: Rich Carey/Shutterstock.com
By: FEDweek StaffGSA has finalized rules for reducing “single-use, unrecyclable, difficult to recycle, or frequently littered” plastics in purchases under the Federal Supply Schedules, adding that the same steps “can easily be adopted into other government contracts.”
A notice in the June 6 Federal Register makes few changes in rules initially proposed last December saying that single-use plastic packaging has an additional cost that is often built into the price, adds to the costs of waste management, and adds to environmental pollution.
One change is that the final rule clarifies that an icon will be used in GSA’s acquisition platforms to identify single-use plastic-free packaging, regardless if it is brand/product packaging or shipping packaging.
The notice adds that some of those who commented on the proposed rules recommended completely banning single-use plastics such as polystyrene and plastic film from the products sold on the FSS. GSA, though, said the rule “is seeking to incentivize” a reduction of such plastics in purchases through the FSS by clearly identifying them and that “seeking to ban these products is outside the scope of this rulemaking.”
The GSA earlier added similar provisions to its internal policy guidance and said that expanding them would be consistent with the Federal Sustainability Plan and other federal, state and local environmental protection policies.
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