Feasibility of the U.S. Air Force Mandating the Exclusive Use and Purchase of Forest Stewardship Council Certified Wood and Paper Containing 100% Post Consumer Content

摘要

The Resource Conservation and Recovery Act required federal agencies to purchase products with the highest recovered content (or post-consumer content in the case of paper) as practicable. The Office of Federal Procurement Policy required all executive agencies to give preference in their procurement programs to products that conserve natural resources and protect the environment. These requirements necessitate that the Air Force consider purchasing 100% post-consumer content (PCC) paper and Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood because of their environmentally preferable attributes. This study compared the availability, performance standards, and prices of 100% PCC paper to 30% PCC paper and FSC-certified wood to uncertified wood. Life cycle costs were included in the price comparisons. It was determined that 100% PCC paper was equally available, met the same performance standards, and could be found at prices equal to or less than the price of 30% PCC paper. It also was determined that FSC-certified wood met the same performance standards as uncertified wood, but was not readily available. Additional data would be required to compare the price of FSC-certified wood to uncertified wood. For these reasons, it was determined that it would be feasible for the Air Force to require the exclusive use and purchase of 100% PCC paper and not feasible to require the exclusive use and purchase of FSC- certified wood.