Environmentally preferrable purchasing

Environmentally preferable purchasing (EPP) refers to the procurement of a set of products that cause minimal harm to living beings and environment. The fundamental concept of EPP has emerged from growing environmental degradation in the wake of human development and the resultant release of pollution worldwide. EPP involves comparing products based on some notable characteristics. To apply EPP, one must consider the product from the following standpoints: how its raw materials were acquired, how it was produced or manufactured, how it is packaged, how it is distributed, what impact it has during operation, how it is maintained, whether and how the product or its materials will be reused, and how it ultimately will be disposed of at the end of its life. EPP combines consideration of the environment, price, and performance. These three pillars of EPP require that the product is both good for the environment and provides a high quality of performance. EPP products are long-lasting, of high quality, low in toxicity, reusable, and easy to recycle.