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Thank You. . . 
BioPreferred® Program Pioneers

As the USDA BioPreferred® Program celebrates the 10th Anniversary of our certification and voluntary labeling initiative, we recognize early adopters – the first 500 companies to earn the ability to display the USDA Certified Biobased Product label.  These BioPreferred Program Pioneers showed faith in our mission and demonstrated their long-term commitment to using renewable materials, reducing our reliance on petroleum, supporting the bioeconomy, and bettering the planet. See the full list of pioneers!

Deep Cleaning with Biobased Products

As the world reopens and we once again invite people back to the office or into our homes, we may first need to dust off the shelves, scrub the floors, and squeegee the windows!

Before the deep cleaning begins, consider stocking up on essential biobased cleaning products. You’ll find many are cost-effective, safe, non-toxic, and help to reduce the impacts of climate change and pollution. And, it’s likely your favorite brand offers a biobased option.

Types of Biobased Cleaning Products

• Multi-purpose Cleaners
• Glass Cleaners
• Carpet and Upholstery Cleaners
• Laundry Products
• Floor Cleaners and Protectors
• Floor Strippers
• Microbial Drain Maintenance Products
• Degreasers
• Graffiti Removers

Want to explore biobased cleaning solutions before you shop?

Check out the USDA BioPreferred Program Catalog. Or, look for the USDA Certified Biobased Product label on the product while you’re in the store.

Learn more.

Did You Miss it?

Recently in The Digest, the online bioeconomy daily, BioBlend announced its launch of a soy-based dust control product. Read the full announcement The Digest.

BioPreferred Program Offers Training at GSA 2021 Smart Pay Conference The BioPreferred Program will offer two training sessions as part of the 2021 GSA SmartPay Virtual Training Forum, to be held July 20-22. The event is designed for federal charge card program managers.     “Sustainable Acquisition with Biobased Products” Offered Wednesday, July 21 at 11 a.m. (ET) and Thursday, July 22 at 3:30 p.m. (ET).   In addition, BioPreferred Program team members will host a welcome center/virtual exhibit showcasing a variety of biobased product categories. Registration for the GSA event is free.

Did You Know? Your Product Packaging May Also Qualify for Certification! If you are a BioPreferred Program participant, then you are well aware of the benefits of product certification. And now more than ever, consumers rely on labels to make informed buying decisions: 66% of consumers report they are willing to pay more for sustainable brands 77% of all Millennials say so, too[1] But did you know that it’s not just the product itself that can earn certification? Product packaging can also qualify!   Within the BioPreferred Program Catalog, you’ll find entire categories devoted to Films and Packaging, which includes: Disposable containers Product packaging Non-durable films Semi-durable films Shopping and trash bags. Search the BioPreferred Product Catalog for examples. Then, consider getting your packaging USDA Certified! [1] 2015, Nielson Global Corporate Sustainability Report

As a Program participant, you may not realize that the BioPreferred Program Product Catalog has a useful search function. When you “Google” yourself from within the Catalog, you can search by company name and review your listing(s). But you’ll also discover other certified products that mention your product.

An example might be a cosmetics company with certified skincare products may mention the inclusion of certified biobased intermediate ingredients. A toy company that uses bioplastics may list their use of certified biobased packaging materials. 

Take a few minutes to check it out by searching the Catalog and identify your like-minded partners! Have concerns or updates to your listing?

Contact us at help@usdabiopreferred.net.

For Federal Contracting Officers:

Encourage Biobased Product Procurement in Your Agency’s Solicitations

Solicitation for service and construction contracts provide an excellent opportunity to drive contractor purchasing of biobased products. Contracting Officers can encourage biobased product purchasing by including specific requirements throughout the solicitation. In this edition of BioBuzz, we are providing a couple of examples of language that can be added to Section C of the solicitation. There are other examples of sample language on the BioPreferred website.

Section C: Performance Work Statement (Description/Specifications/Statement of Work)

GROUNDSKEEPING: The Contractor shall use products made from biobased materials to the maximum extent possible. All supplies and materials shall be of a type and quality that conform to applicable Federal specifications and standards. All supplies and materials to be used in the performance of work described herein are subject to the approval of the Contracting Officer’s Representative (COR).

The following are examples of products that may be used in this contract for which biobased options are available. The list is not all inclusive. It is desirable that Contractors be able to supply the greatest number of biobased products in the performance of this contract.

Hydraulic Fluids                                Penetrating Lubricants                  Diesel Fuel Additives

Multi-purpose Lubricants                  Degreasers                                    Lube Chain Lubricants

Chain Bar Lubricants                        All Purpose Cleaners                     Fertilizers

Erosion Control                                 Mulch                                             Soil Amendments

JANITORIAL: All supplies and materials shall be of a type and quantity that conform to applicable Federal specifications and standards, and to the extent feasible and reasonable; include the exclusive use of biobased products. The Contractor shall utilize the greatest number of biobased products possible.  Examples:

All purpose cleaner                          Heavy duty cleaner

Deodorizer                                       Carpet shampoo                                             

Floor finish                                       Floor finish restorer

Disinfectant sanitizer                       Floor sealer / Floor stripper

Grout Sealer                                   Glass cleaner

Liquid Hand Soap                           Hand sanitizers

Watch this space for more examples in future issues of BioBuzz.