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Legislation
The 2021 legislative session passed legislation that will move green purchasing forward in the State.
Recycling Market Development (HB 164/ SB 116): The GPC will support MDE’s Office of Recycling to “promote the development of markets for recycled materials and recycled products in the state” by increasing recycled content requirements in specifications where possible.
Organics Recycling and Waste Diversion - Food Residuals (HB 264/ SB 483): Applicable State government cafeterias must reduce and divert food waste from landfills (i.e. through organics recycling/composting) beginning in 2023. The GPC will ensure that compostable food service ware will continue to be included in procurement contracts and organics recycling service requirements are added to relevant janitorial service/housekeeping contracts.
Invasive Plant Species - Prohibition on Use of State Funds (HB 92): The upcoming GPC specification for landscaping services and supplies will prohibit the purchase and use of invasive plant species in procurement contracts.
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Electric Vehicles & Charging
In June, Maryland purchased 40 Electric Vehicles (EVs) to add to the State's fleet! Vehicles were identified for replacement by aligning agency needs with infrastructure availability through a collaborative process involving DBM, DGS, MDE, and MEA.
In July, DGS was awarded $117,000 in funding from the Maryland Volkswagen Mitigation Plan Charge Ahead Grant Program, managed by MDE, to support the installation of 13 EV charging stations across the State.
A New Program is Born
The DGS Office of Energy and Sustainability is working hard to ramp up EV charging infrastructure to support the incoming vehicles for their fall arrival. To advance fleet electrification, DGS is standing up an Electric Vehicle Infrastructure Program to oversee the installation of charging at State facilities. Please spread the word that DGS is hiring two positions to support this work. Join this exciting effort!
EV Program Coordinator
EV Project Manager
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Green purchasing data reports for Q4 (April 1-June 30, 2021) are due soon!
Vendors: Q4 data is due on July 31, 2021.
Agencies: Q4 data is due on August 13, 2021.
Share your Sustainability Story for a chance to be featured in the GPC Annual Report.
If you have any questions regarding reporting, contact: Kshirajaa.Ramesh@Maryland.gov
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Welcome to the newest member of the DGS Energy & Sustainability Office team, Delharty Manson! Delharty is joining us for the summer as a Fellow through the Governor's Summer Internship Program (GSIP).
Delharty's projects this summer will focus on the vendor community and the ways in which we can support and recognize them for their sustainability efforts. Delharty is a Maryland resident and a rising Senior at the College of William & Mary where he majors in Public Policy.
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Supply Chain GHG Reduction Strategies
July 22, 2021
12:00 - 5:00
Register Here
Free to GPC Members. Contact us for the discount code.
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GPC Working Meeting
July 26, 2021
9:00 - 11:00
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Questions?
Contact us at DGS.BuyGreen@maryland.gov
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