Issue link: http://palletcentral.uberflip.com/i/763062
22 PalletCentral • November-December 2016 palletcentral.com in categories identified by the USDA. To date, USDA has identified 97 categories of biobased products for which agencies and their contractors have mandatory purchasing requirements. As USDA identifies product categories for mandatory federal purchasing, minimum biobased content is established for the category. Biobased product purchasing requirements are included in solicitations, blanket purchase agreements, contracts and specifications. Requirements also extend to purchases made through purchase cards, electronic catalogs and other procurement vehicles. The economic impact of U.S. biobased products is wide reaching. In 2014, biobased products supported more than 4.2 million jobs and contributed $393 billion to the U.S. economy. Every state has some biobased jobs but the bulk of these jobs are in California, Texas, North Carolina, Georgia and Pennsylvania. Biobased products displace 6.8 million barrels of oil every year and have the potential to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 10 million metric tons of CO2 equivalents per year. Any member of NWPCA who is a licensee of PDS may use the 100% biobased label. For more information visit www.palletcentral.com/page/biopreferred. PC BUSINESS "In addition to being able to label pallets and proudly promote the environmental aspects of wood pallets, federal law directs that all federal agencies and their contractors purchase biobased products identified by USDA's BioPreferred® program." —Brent McClendon, CAE, NWPCA President & CEO Steve Gardner is the President of Gardner Public Affairs and is a 20-year veteran of public relations and trade associations in Washington, DC. He may be reached at 202-550-3309.