The benefits of Sustainable Acquisition are numerous. Check out DOE success stories to learn about the benefits DOE sites have realized by switching to more sustainable products.

By purchasing more sustainable products, the general benefits that can be expected for the respective product categories are:

Biobased Content

• Reduce U.S. reliance on imported petroleum since any amount of biobased content displaces petroleum
• Increase the economics of biorefineries by co-producing valuable biobased products along with biobased fuel
• Improve economics of U.S. agricultural production
• Stimulate economic development in rural areas
• Establish healthier environment for staff
• Reduce hazardous materials on site
• Reduce disposal and cleanup costs
• Calculate your reductions for biobased content in construction materials

Energy Efficient

• Reduce U.S. reliance on imported petroleum by using less energy
• Reduce operating expenses by using less energy
• Reduce carbon emissions
• Reduce energy costs
• Calculate your energy reductions

EPEAT Registered Electronic Equipment

• Reduce U.S. reliance on imported petroleum by using less energy
• Reduce operating expenses by using less energy
• Reduce greenhouse gases
• Reduce water pollutant emissions
• Increase longevity
• Reducing hazardous and solid waste
• Calculate your reductions (scroll down and select "Benefits Calculator")

Non/Less Toxic

• Establish healthier environment for staff
• Reduce hazardous materials on site
• Reduce cost of sick days and disposal of hazardous materials
• Calculate your reductions for less toxic construction materials

Non-Ozone Depleting

• Establish healthier environment for staff
• Reduce atmospheric carbon dioxide that causes global climate change

Recycled Content

• Reduce U.S. reliance on imported petroleum because less energy is required when manufacturing with recycled content
• Often reduce initial purchasing cost
• Conserve water - less water is required when manufacturing with recycled content
• Reduce greenhouse gases - fewer pollutants are emitted when feedstock is semi-processed
• Conserve resources
• Reduce disposal costs
• Stimulate economic development in recycled product market
• Calculate your energy and greenhouse gas reductions based on recycled products

Water Efficient

• Reduce U.S. reliance on imported petroleum by using less energy pumping water
• Reduce operating expenses by using less water
• Reduce risks associated with water scarcity
• Calculate your water reductions
• Calculate your water efficiency for cooling applications