OAR 125-246-0321: Recycling Policy

(1) The Department promotes the Procurement by all Authorized Agencies of products made from Recycled Materials in accordance with ORS 279A.125 and 279B.270. (2) When purchasing Goods, or pursuant to Subsection (2)(c), Personal Services that relate to the use of recovered resources and Recycled Materials, Authorized Agencies must: (a) Review the procurement Specifications currently utilized in order to eliminate, wherever economically feasible, discrimination against the Procurement of recovered resources or Recycled Materials; (b) Develop purchasing practices that, to the maximum extent economically feasible, assure purchase of materials which are recycled or which may be recycled or reused when discarded. The Department will make Recycled Products and materials available to Authorized Agencies whenever they can be obtained; (c) Provide incentives for the maximum possible use of recovered resources and Recycled Materials, wherever economically feasible, in all procurement Specifications issued. (3) Pursuant to ORS 279A.125, notwithstanding provisions of law requiring the Department to award a Contract to the lowest or best Offeror, the Department must give preference to the procurement of Goods manufactured from Recycled Materials, if the Recycled Product's costs do not exceed the costs of nonrecycled products by more than 5%, or a higher percentage if a Written determination is made by the Department . The requirements of ORS 279A.125 may be applied to Authorized Agencies by agreement or policy of the Department. (4) The Offeror must indicate in the Offer, the materials considered relevant to the 5% preference. The 5% preference will only apply to the value of that portion of the Offer that offers non-paper products containing verifiable recycled contents. (5) All Contracts must require Contractors to use, in the performance of the Contract Work, to the maximum extent economically feasible, Recycled Paper; (a) All Contracts must require Contractors to use, in the performance of the Contract Work, to the maximum extent economically feasible, recycled PETE products, as well as other recycled plastic resin products. "Recycled PETE products" means a product containing post-consumer polyethylene terephthalate material. The Department must provide guidelines to Authorized Agencies and Contractors on the availability of necessary Goods that contain recycled PETE, as well as other recycled plastic resin supplies and materials; the Department must also identify suppliers able to provide necessary Goods containing recycled PETE, as well as other recycled plastic resin supplies and materials, pursuant to ORS 279A.150. (b) All Authorized Agencies must include the following language in any Invitation to Bid or Request for Proposal: "Vendors must use recyclable products to the maximum extent economically feasible in the performance of the contract Work set forth in this document," pursuant to ORS 279B.270(2); and (c) The Department must include Recycled Product purchasing information within publications and training programs provided to local governments requesting state government purchasing assistance, pursuant to ORS 279A.145.