BUY RECYCED 2000

Mo - For the past several years, the City of Los Angeles has made great strides in expanding the City's recycling program and reducing the amount of waste being transported to landfills. Concurrently, to ensure the effectiveness of recycling programs, the Los Angeles City Council adopted the Recycled Products Purchasing Program to help stimulate the market for recycled and reusable products. Nineteen (19) different products, such as paper, glass, lubricating oils, plastics, rubber, batteries, solvents, and paint, are among the items identified in the program that are available and made from recycled materials. Ten of the nineteen (19) items are designated "Buy Recycled 2000" mandated products, which means that these recycled products are proven items, commercially available and that departments in need of those items should always buy such items made from recycled materials. Remanufactured laser toner cartridges, added to the Recycled Products Purchasing Program list in 1997, is currently not a mandated product. City staff has since completed extensive testing on the availability and performance of remanufactured laser toner cartridges, and is confident that the quality of this item is equal to toner cartridges made with raw materials. Available remanufactured laser toner cartridges are backed by a 100% quality guarantee, with free cartridge collection. Additionally, Department of General Services' Purchasing Division has determined that remanufactured cartridges are less expensive than those on the market made with raw materials. Analyzing data for current cartridge orders for City departments, it is estimated that the department will save approximately $142,000 per year if remanufactured cartridges are purchased. THEREFORE MOVE that the Los Angeles City Council re-affirm its commitment to buy and use recycled products, whenever feasible. FURTHER MOVE that the Los Angeles City Council include remanufactured laser toner cartridges as a "Buy Recycled 2000" mandated product as part of the City's Recycled Products Purchasing Program. OLD CF 93-2092