Stroud District Council Green Purchasing Policy: Banned Products
The following products are banned from use by the Council or its contractors where an alternative product or method is available.
1. Ozone depleting chemicals
The issue
The Ozone is made up of a fragile oxygen bond which is easily depleted by the introduction of compounds containing chlorine to the atmosphere. The ozone layer absorbs ultra-violet radiation from the sun. The less ultra-violet radiation is absorbed by the ozone layer, the greater the chance of cataracts, skin cancer and additional damage to DNA which carries the information about the characteristics of a species from one generation to the other. Ultraviolet radiation also causes plastics, paints and many other materials to decay more quickly and also leads to a reduction in agricultural productivity as well as damage to habitats and other ecological systems.
As well as the direct harm that can be caused by ultra-violet radiation, the absorption of ultra-violet radiation warms the stratosphere (the upper atmosphere) so that it becomes warmer than the top of the troposhere (the lower atmosphere). This difference in temperature stops air currents reaching the stratosphere and altering the planets weather patterns. Scientists are concerned that if the ozone layer is reduced (leading to a fall in the temperature of the stratosphere) and the greenhouse effect continues to warm up the troposphere that there will some dramatic changes to our weather system.
Action
The Council's Green Purchasing Policy bans the use of ozone depleting chemicals. The following chemicals are the main ozone depleting chemicals that should not be used by ourselves or our contractors:
Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs):phased out 1 January 1996; less developed countries phase out by 2010.
Halons: phased out 1 January 1994; less developed countries phase out by 2010.
Carbon Tetrachloride: phased out 1 January 1996.
1,1,1-Trichloroethane: phased out 1 January 1996.
Methyl Bromide: for developed countries, freeze on production and consumption at 1991 levels from 1 January 1995; 25% reduction by 2001, followed by 50% reduction by 2005 and phase out by 2010 (with certain exemptions for critical uses). Less developed countries must freeze production and consumption in 2002 using a baseline of the average of 1995-98 consumption.
Hydrochlorofluorcarbons: for developed countries, freeze at 2.8% of CFC and HCFC consumption from 1 January 1996 levels; 35% reduction by 2004; 65% by 2007; 90% by 2010; 99.5% by 2013; phase out by 2020 (subject to certain exemptions for existing equipment). Less developed countries must freeze their consumption of HCFCs in 2016 and phase out entirely by 2040.
Hydrobromofluorocarbons: phase out from 1 January 1996.
Note: These are to be phased out under the Regulation on substances that deplete the ozone layer 1994 eec/3093/94. This is an EC Regulation and is directly applicable as UK law.
2. Timber
The Issue
Trees are an important resource for the planet for many reasons. They represent a potentially renewable resource i.e. if managed properly we can use timber without worrying that it will run out - unlike oil and metal ores. However, this is only the case if we manage our forests and woodlands effectively. The wholesale removal of trees can lead to soil erosion, flooding, and plant and animal extinction. Many landslides such as those experienced in some of the Central American countries when hurricane Mitch struck and in Bangladesh would not have occurred if the forests had not been removed. Another important action undertaken by trees and all plants is the conversion of carbon dioxide to oxygen and the subsequent storage of the carbon. In this way, trees act as the 'lungs of earth' and help reduce the problems due to the greenhouse effect.
Action
The Council's Green Purchasing Policy bans the use of tropical hardwood which is not independently certified as coming from a well-managed forest.
While there is currently no policy concerning timber as a whole (i.e. temperate hardwood and softwood) you are encouraged to specify the use of certified timber in contracts. The most well known independent certification is FSC (Forestry Stewardship Council) Certification. The FSC website lists suppliers of timber and timber products that have been certified as FSC timber and help can be given to local authorities who are looking for specific timber requirements.
3. Pesticides on the UK 'Red List'
These are pesticides that European countries have been asked not to use by the European Union.
