The agency's Environmental Products Guide alone contains over 3,000 items. Moreover, GSA offers paints, cleaners, and other products that have been reformulated to be less environmentally detrimental. GSA also manages a nationwide recycling program for 643,000 Federal employees in 1,044 federal buildings. In fiscal year 1997 alone, GSA collected and sold 41,260 tons of paper, aluminum cans, glass, and packing materials. Building Green GSA is beginning to incorporate sustainable principles in the design, construction, modernization and disposal of federal buildings.
Sustainable design means creating environmentally sound and resource-efficient buildings.
It also means using recycled content products such as insulation, cement and concrete, latex paint, carpeting made from plastic bottles, and restroom partitions in the building itself. AFVs run on ethanol, methanol, natural gas or electricity, thereby reducing dependence on foreign oil. AFVs also emit fewer greenhouse gasses and pollute less than conventional gasoline-powered vehicles. In 1999, the mandate will increase to 75 percent of new purchases. GSA facilitates the federal government's implementation of EPAct through its governmentwide vehicle policy, acquisition, and management functions.