All Local Governments are Encouraged to Participate

The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation (DEC) and Office of General Services (OGS) today announced the first members of the State’s newly launched Green Purchasing Communities program. This announcement, made during New York State's Earth Week celebration, acknowledges the city of White Plains and village of Croton-on-Hudson in Westchester County and the village of Pulaski in Oswego County for making commitments to purchase more sustainable products and support a more sustainable economy.

“Governor Kathy Hochul’s ambitious green procurement initiatives are advancing a more sustainable future for New York by involving local governments through the State’s new Green Purchasing Communities program,” said DEC Commissioner Basil Seggos. “I encourage communities across the state to follow the lead of White Plains, Croton-on-Hudson, and Pulaski and become members of the program for the benefit of our environment and to support New York’s ongoing green economic growth.”

“Under Governor Hochul’s leadership, New York State is providing our partners in local government with an easy and effective way to adopt sustainable purchasing practices,” OGS Commissioner Jeanette Moy said. “OGS applauds the communities that have become members of the Green Purchasing Communities program, and we urge others to join them and the State in supporting the green economy and creating a healthier environment for all.”

Created in 2008 and continued in 2022 by Governor Hochul’s Executive Order 22, New York State’s green procurement program features 89 green procurement specifications that agencies and authorities follow to ensure that State dollars are invested in products that have a lower environmental impact. These specifications are helping New York to meet its greenhouse gas reduction and other environmental goals by ensuring products purchased use less energy, generate less waste, and reduce exposure to hazardous substances. To build on these actions, the Governor launched the Green Purchasing Communities Program in December 2022. Administered by DEC and OGS, Green Purchasing Communities simplifies the green purchasing process for local governments and recognizes municipalities for committing to following the State’s GreenNY purchasing specifications.

To become members of the program, governing boards of participating local governments add language to municipal purchasing policies stating that they will follow the State’s 89 GreenNY Procurement Specifications. This makes it easier for participants to identify and purchase more sustainable products and services. The three initial members announced today represent an annual $24.1 million in spending on goods and services that will now be more sustainable by following the GreenNY specifications.

Any local government in New York State is eligible to participate in the program and can do so by taking two steps:

• Update their purchasing policy to require purchasers to follow the State’s GreenNY procurement specifications; and
• Submit a copy of the updated purchasing policy along with the one-page application.