Architects and engineers should always make environ-
mentally responsible choices regarding new building
materials and the disposal of discarded products. Buying
recycled-content products ensures that the materials
collected in recycling programs will be used again in the
manufacture of new products.
Section 6002 of the Resource Conservation and Recovery
Act (RCRA) requires EPA to designate products that
are or can be made with recovered materials, and to rec-
ommend practices for buying these products. Once a
product is designated, procuring agencies are required
to purchase it with the highest recovered material content
level practicable.
EPA also issues guidance on buying recycled-content
products in Recovered Materials Advisory Notices
(RMANs). The RMANs recommend recycled-content
ranges for CPG products based on current information on
commercially available recycled-content products. RMAN
Ronald Reagan Building, Washington, D.C.
levels are updated as marketplace conditions change.
Architects and engineers must maximize the opportunity
Building Materials
for contractors to bid recycled-content materials by
including CPG items in the design specifications. Excep-
Prohibited Materials. The use of the following materials
tions will only be permitted if written justification is
is prohibited on all GSA projects:
provided when a product is not available competitively,
not available within a reasonable time frame, does not
Products containing asbestos.
meet appropriate performance standards, or is only
Products containing added urea formaldehyde.
available at an unreasonable price.
Products containing polychlorinated biphenyls.
Examples of CPG construction products are included
Products containing chlorinated fluorocarbons. (See
in Chapter 3, Architectural and Interior Design, and
Chapter 5 for replacements.)
Chapter 4, Structural Engineering. Information can be
Solder or flux containing more than 0.2 percent lead and
obtained about EPA's list of designated products and
domestic water pipe or pipe fittings containing more that
the accompanying recycled-content recommendations
8 percent lead.
on the Internet at www.epa.gov/cpg.
Paint containing lead.
Lead-Based Paint. Paint will be tested for lead content
Recycled-Content Products. GSA is required to buy
when alteration or demolition requires sanding, burning,
recycled-content products as designated by EPA through
welding or scraping painted surfaces. When lead is found,
the Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPG).
18 F A C I L I T I E S S T A N D A R D S
FOR THE
PUBLIC
BUILDINGS
SERVICE
1.6 Environmental Policies & Practices
Revised March 2005 PBS-P100
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