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Council Manager Memo #7 - January 23, 2008
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Agenda Notes:
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Agenda Notes:
Agenda Item # 18-D: New and Remanufactured Laser and Ink Cartridges
Staff Resource:
Kay Elmore, 704-336-2524, kelmore@ci.charlotte.nc.us On Monday evening, Council will be asked to approve a low bid contract with Sun Belt Office Suppliers, Inc. This contract will provide new and remanufactured laser and ink cartridges for fax machines and desktop printers for all City departments. Below is additional background about this contract and its environmental advantages.
As part of the Charlotte Regional Group Purchasing Organization, a cooperative purchasing program developed and implemented by Business Support Services/Procurement Service Division has solicited bids were solicited for cartridges. In support of the City's aim of reducing any environmental burdens from our business activities, and to successfully meet certain established "green" purchasing initiatives, the solicitation required all bid responses to address applicable environmental requirements including recycled content, reduced toxicity, and reduced packaging attributes.
Sun Belt Office Suppliers, Inc. offered a very proactive approach to support the City's efforts to incorporate environmental considerations into public purchasing that includes:
- Collection and recycling problems for used cartridges. Sun Belt will provide free recycling boxes for departments to fill with empty cartridges. This will reduce the amount of plastic and ink that ends up in the landfill.
- Cartridges are dismantled, cleaned and refilled, which minimizes the need for virgin materials.
- Approximately 60% of the cartridges received by Sun Belt Office Suppliers will be used to produce other cartridges going back to the City of Charlotte and Mecklenburg County and other Sun Belt customers.
- Providing usage and recycling rate reports.
- Providing periodic reports of environmental savings calculations for the use of remanufactured cartridges and the positive impacts to the environment.
- Online ordering eliminates paper usage.
- Sun Belt Office Suppliers will ensure that all recyclable components from the toner and ink cartridges used will be recycled to their fullest extent through partnerships with International Imaging Technology Council, Carolina Cartridge and Supplies, Collective Good Recycling Services, Environmental Reclamation Services and Metal Conversion Technologies.
- Based on year-to-date remanufactured cartridge purchases, Sun Belt Office Suppliers has been able to provide the following waste reductions to the environment:
1) Reduction in petroleum consumption by 771 barrels or 42,384 quarts;
2) Recycled 26,490 pounds of plastic;
3) Reduction of 17,589 cubic feet of permanent waste; and
4) Reduction of 98 football fields of landfill space.
Information Items:
On Tuesday, January 22 the City and the Chamber hosted the inaugural BusinessFirst Charlotte Annual Report to share findings from interviews with local business leaders in 2007. Over 130 local business leaders were in attendance. The event also featured a panel discussion on roads and transportation, which emerged as the top local concern of businesses interviewed. Attached is a copy of the 2007 annual report. You may view the report online at www.businessfirstcharlotte.com.
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