Base Implementation of Executive Order 13101: Buying Environmentally Preferable Products and services

Consumers play an important role in improving the environment through their purchasing power. By demanding certain products or items, consumers can send a signal to manufacturers and suppliers about what types of products and services to produce and supply. Accordingly, with the use of their wallets, they can leverage their buying power to create markets for environmentally friendly products and services that pose fewer burdens on the environment. The term consumers includes both public and private sectors, including individuals, private businesses, local, state and federal governments. One of the biggest consumers is the federal government, spending almost 200 billion annually on a large variety of products and services. As a large consumer, the federal government can wield its purchasing power to influence manufacturers and suppliers to produce and supply products and services that will improve the environment while at the same time, creating green markets both for the public and private sectors.