The Green Electronics Council recently awarded Pennsylvania the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) Purchaser Award for purchasing nearly 67,400 units of sustainable electronics.
During fiscal year 2019-2020, the state purchased more than $79 million in EPEAT-qualified purchases in the Computers & Displays and Digital Imaging categories.
To be EPEAT-qualified, several criteria are evaluated, including energy conservation, reuse and recycling, end-of-life management, design for product longevity, materials selection, and corporate performance.
“When it comes to sustainability, Pennsylvania is walking the talk, and it is great to [be] recognized for our commitment for the second year in a row,” Curt Topper, Pennsylvania Department of General Services Secretary, said. “Every day, electronic devices play an increasing role in how we work, communicate and serve our customers, but our carbon footprint doesn’t have to increase at the same time. Thanks to the DGS (Department of General Services) Bureau of Procurement’s IT and Quality Assurance divisions, we have reduced our carbon footprint, and we are becoming more energy efficient through sustainable electronics.”
The green electronics purchases will save nearly $1.34 million in energy savings. This is enough electricity to power approximately 2,582 households for a year. Solid waste eliminated from the environment equals the waste generated by 347 households annually.
Eight states received the 2021 EPEAT Purchaser Award.