Structural Fiberboard and Laminated Paperboard -- Table I.3 contains DOE's recovered materials content levels for structural fiberboard or laminated paperboard products used in insulating or structural applications.

Table I.3 Recovered Materials Content Levels for Structural Fiberboard and Laminated Paperboard

•  Specifications: DOE recommends that users refer to ASTM standard specification C 208 and ANSI/AHA specification A194.1. Further, when purchasing structural fiberboard products containing recovered paper, users should: 1) reference the technical requirements of ASTM C208, "Insulating Board (Cellulosic Fiber), Structural and Decorative," 2) permit structural fiberboard products made from recovered materials where appropriate; and 3) permit products such as floor underlayment and roof overlay containing recovered paper. Users should review specifications for insulating products and revise them as necessary to obtain the appropriate "R-Value" without unnecessarily precluding the purchase of products containing recovered materials.

  Cement and Concrete -- DOE's preference program for cement and concrete includes the use of coal fly ash or ground granulated blast furnace slag (GGBF slag). DOE does not recommend one recovered material over the other. Instead, DOE suggests that the user consider both recovered materials and select the product that best meets the user's performance requirements, consistent with availability, competition, and price considerations. DOE's preference program for cement and concrete does not rely on recovered materials content levels due to variations in coal fly ash, GGBF slag, cement, strength requirements, costs, and construction practices. Instead, DOE is providing the following information about recovered materials content for cement and concrete:

•  Coal Fly Ash: Generally, replacement rates of coal fly ash for cement in the production of blended cement does not exceed 20-30 percent; however, coal fly ash blended cements may range from 0-40 percent coal fly ash by weight, according to ASTM C 595, for cement Types IP and I(PM). Fifteen percent is a more accepted rate when coal fly ash is used as a partial cement replacement as an admixture in concrete.

•  GGBF Slag: According to ASTM C 595, GGBF slag may replace up to 70 percent of Portland cement in some concrete mixtures; however, most mixtures contain 25-50 percent GGBF slag by weight.

•  Materials Specifications: DOE recommends that users refer to the existing voluntary consensus specifications for cement and concrete containing recovered materials listed in Table I.4.

  Table I.4 Recommended Specifications for Cement and Concrete Containing Recovered Materials

  Cement Specifications

  Concrete Specifications

  ASTM C 595, "Standard Specification for Blended Hydraulic Cements" ASTM C 150, "Standard Specification for Portland Cement"   AASHTO M 240, "Blended Hydraulic Cements"

  ASTM C 618, "Standard Specification for Fly Ash and Raw or Calcined Natural Pozzolan for Use as a Mineral Admixture in Portland Cement Concrete"   ASTM C 311, "Standard Methods of Sampling and Testing Fly Ash and Natural Pozzolans for Use as a Mineral Admixture in Portland Cement Concrete"   ASTM C 989, "Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag for Use in Concrete Mortars"   AASHTO M 302, "Ground Granulated Blast Furnace Slag for Use in Concrete and Mortars"   American Concrete Institute Standard Practice ACI 226.R1, "Ground Granulated Blast-Furnace Slag as a Cementitious Constituent in Concrete"

•  State Specifications: Users can also consult with the Federal Highway Administration which maintains a data base of state highway agency material specifications. The District of Columbia and the states of Alabama, Connecticut, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Illinois, Indiana, Maryland, Michigan, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, South Carolina, Virginia, and West Virginia have adopted specifications which allow for the use of GGBF slag. Users can obtain these specifications from respective state transportation departments and modify them for use in their specific applications.

•  Contract Specifications: Contracts for individual construction projects should be reviewed and revised to allow for the use of cement and concrete containing coal fly ash or GGBF slag as optional or alternate materials for the project. Users should ensure that their specifications do not inappropriately or unfairly discriminate against the use of coal fly ash or GGBF slag in cement and concrete.

•  Performance Standards: Justification for not using coal fly ash or GGBF slag should be made on a job-by-job basis based on: 1) inability of the product to meet reasonable performance requirements for the cement or concrete; or 2) because the use of coal fly ash or GGBF slag would be inappropriate for technical reasons. Justification for not using these products should be based on specific technical performance information. Documentation of technical infeasibility for these products can be based on certain classes of applications, rather than on a job-by-job basis. Users should be prepared to offer their written justification for analysis by interested persons and should have a review process available in the event of disagreements.

•   Mix Design: Concrete mix design specifications which specify minimum cement content or maximum water content may unfairly discriminate against the use of coal fly ash or GGBF slag. These specifications should be modified to allow for the partial substitution of coal fly ash or GGBF slag for cement in the concrete mixture, unless technically inappropriate. Cement ratios may be retained as long as they take into consideration the cementitious properties which coal fly ash or GGBF slag can impart to a concrete mixture.

•  Quality Control: Nothing in DOE's preference program for cement and concrete shall be construed to relieve the contractor of responsibility for providing a satisfactory product that meets appropriate performance requirements. Nor should DOE's preference program for cement and concrete be viewed as a shift in normal industry procedures for assigning responsibility and liability for product control. Users of blended cement, coal fly ash or GGBF slag, and concrete should expect suppliers to demonstrate the performance and reliability of their products (through reasonable testing programs or previous experience) and the adequacy of their quality control programs. However, coal fly ash and GGBF slag should not be subjected to unreasonable testing requirements. Suppliers of coal fly ash and GGBF slag should be required to provide a statement of the key characteristics of the product supplied. For more information on testing or quality assurance program for cements, blended cements, or coal fly ash, contact: U.S. Army Engineer Waterways Experiment Station, P.O. Box 631, Vicksburg, Mississippi 39180.

  Carpet -- DOE's recovered materials content levels for polyester carpet for light-wear and moderate-wear applications are shown in Table I.5. DOE's preference program for carpets does not apply to heavy-wear or severe-wear applications; however, users are encouraged to evaluate the suitability of polyester carpets for these applications. DOE's preference program for carpet does not preclude users from purchasing carpet made of other materials (e.g., nylon, wool, or polypropylene).

  Table I.5 Recovered Materials Content Levels for Carpet

  Product	Resin	Postconsumer Materials (%)
  Polyester Carpet Face Fiber	PET	25-100

• Specifications: DOE recommends that users refer to GSA's New Item Introductory Schedule when purchasing polyester carpet containing recovered materials. DOE also recommends that users review and revise their specifications (where appropriate) to permit the use of polyester carpet containing recovered materials, especially where current specifications dictate the use of nylon or wool only.

  Floor Tiles and Patio Blocks -- DOE's recovered materials content levels for use in heavy-duty/commercial type floor tiles and patio blocks made with rubber or plastic are shown in Table I.6. These recovered materials content levels apply when users are purchasing rubber or plastic floor tiles or patio blocks. DOE's preference program for such items does not preclude users from purchasing floor tiles or patio blocks made from other materials.

  Table I.6 Recovered Materials Content Levels for Floor Tiles and Patio Blocks

  Product	Material	Postconsumer Content (%)	Total Recovered Materials Content (%)
  Patio Blocks	Rubber or Plastic Blends Plastic or Plastic Blends	90-100   --	90-100
  Floor Tiles (heavy duty/ commercial use)	Rubber Plastic	90-100 --	90-100

  NOTE: The recovered materials content levels are based on the dry weight of the raw materials, exclusive of any additives such as adhesives, binders, or coloring agents.

  I.2 DOE's Preference Program for Landscaping Products

  Hydraulic Mulch -- DOE's recovered materials content levels for hydraulic mulch products are shown in Table I.7.

  Table I.7 Recovered Materials Content Levels for Hydraulic Mulch Products

  Hydraulic Mulch Products	Recovered Materials (Materials/%)
  Paper-Based Hydraulic Mulch	Postconsumer Recovered Paper/100%
  Wood-Based Hydraulic Mulch	Recovered Wood and/or Paper/100%

  NOTE: The recovered materials content levels are based on the dry weight of the fiber, exclusive of any dyes, wetting agents, seeds, fertilizer, or other non-cellulose additives.

  Yard Trimming Compost -- DOE recommends that facilities having an adequate volume of yard trimmings, leaves, and/or grass clippings (and adequate space for composting) implement on-site composting programs to produce compost for their own landscaping needs. If supplemental material is required, DOE recommends that users purchase or use compost made from yard trimmings, leaves, and/or grass clippings in such applications as landscaping, seeding of grass or other plants on roadsides and embankments, as nutritious mulch under trees and shrubs, and in erosion control and soil reclamation.

•  Specifications: There should be no language in specifications for fertilizers and soil amendments that precludes or discourages the use of compost. The State of Maine has developed quality standards for compost products that are used by its agencies and/or purchased with state funds. The quality standards have been set for six types of compost products, ranging from topsoil (three classes), to wetland substrate, to mulch (two classes). Standards for maturity, odor, texture, nutrients, pH, salt content, organic content, pathogen reduction, heavy metals, foreign matter, moisture content, and density have been established for each type of compost. Users may wish to obtain and adapt this or other suitable specifications for their use in purchasing compost products.

  I.3 DOE's Preference Program for Non-Paper Office Products

  Office Recycling Containers and Office Waste Receptacles -- DOE's recovered materials content levels for office recycling containers and office waste receptacles are shown in Table I.8. These recovered material content levels apply when the user is purchasing office recycling containers or office waste receptacles made from plastic, paper, or steel. DOE's preference program for such items does not preclude the user from purchasing containers or receptacles made from other materials (e.g., wood).

  Table I.8 Recovered Materials Content Levels for Office Recycling Containers and Office Waste Receptacles

  Product	Recovered Materials (Materials/%)
  Office Recycling Containers and Office Waste Receptacles	Plastic/20-100% Postconsumer Recovered Materials Paper/35% Steel/25-100% Total Recovered Materials

  Desktop Accessories -- DOE's recovered material content levels for plastic desktop accessories are shown in Table I.9. These levels apply when users are purchasing plastic desktop accessories. DOE's preference program for these accessories does not preclude users from purchasing a desktop accessory made from another material (e.g., paper, wood, or steel).

  Table I.9 Recovered Material Content Levels for Plastic Desktop Accessories

  Product	Postconsumer Recovered Materials (Materials/%)
  Plastic Desktop Accessories	Polystyrene: 25-80%

  Toner Cartridges -- DOE preference program for toner cartridges consists of giving priority to remanufacturing used toner cartridges (versus buying new cartridges). Users should first attempt to procure remanufacturing services for expended cartridges. If such services are unavailable or impractical, then users should either purchase remanufactured toner cartridges or new toner cartridges made from recovered materials.

  Binders -- DOE's recovered materials content levels for binders are shown in Table I.10. These levels apply to plastic and paper binders. DOE's preference program for binders does not preclude users from purchasing binders covered or made with other materials (e.g., cloth).

  Table I.10 Recovered Materials Content Levels for Binders

  Product	Postconsumer Recovered Materials (Materials/%)
  Plastic-Covered Binders (Plastic Covering)	Plastic: 25-50%
  Chipboard, Paperboard, or Pressboard Binders or Binder Components	Paper: 80-90%

•  Specifications: GSA's specifications for binders (A-A-2549A) covers four types of binders--cloth bound/flexible cover, cloth bound/stiff cover, plastic bound/flexible cover, and plastic bound/stiff cover. GSA requires its binders to contain "a minimum of 100% waste paper, including a minimum of 30% postconsumer materials."

  Plastic Trash Bags -- DOE's recovered materials content levels for plastic trash bags are shown in Table I.11. These levels apply when users are purchasing plastic trash bags. DOE's preference program for plastic trash bags does not preclude users for purchasing trash bags made from other materials, such as paper.

  Table I.11 Recovered Materials Content Levels for Plastic Trash Bags

  Product	Postconsumer Recovered Materials (Materials/%)
  Plastic Trash Bags	Plastic: 10-100%

  I.4 DOE's Preference Program for Paper and Paper Products

  DOE's recovered materials content standards for paper products are shown in Table I.12. These standards are derived from EPA's procurement guideline (40 CFR Part 250) and the subsequent Procurement Guidelines Advisory issued by EPA on November 20, 1990. On March 15, 1995, EPA issued a draft "Paper Products Recovered Materials Advisory Notice" in the Federal Register (60 FR 14182) which contains proposed revisions for paper and paper products recovered materials content levels. DOE's paper standards will be revised when EPA's final recommendations are issued.

  Table I.12 Minimum Content Standards of Selected Paper and Paper Products

  Item	Minimum % Recovered Materials	Minimum % Postconsumer Recovered Materials	Minimum % Waste Paper
  Newsprint		40%
  High grade bleached printing and writing paper:       Offset printing   Mimeo and duplicator paper   Writing (stationery)   Office paper (e.g., note pads)   High_speed copier paper   Envelopes   Form bond including computer paper & carbonless   Book papers   Bond papers   Ledger   Cover stock   Cotton fiber paper File folders White woven envelopes		30%     30% 30% 30%   30%   30%     30% 30% 30% 30%	50%       50%          50% 50% 50%
  Tissue Products:       Toilet tissue   Paper towels   Paper napkins   Facial tissue   Doilies   Industrial wipers		20% 40% 30% 5% 40% 0
  Unbleached Packaging:       Corrugated boxes   Fiber boxes   Brown papers (e.g., bags)		35% 35% 5%
  Recycled Paperboard:       Recycled paperboard products   Pad backing		80% 90%

  I.5 DOE's Preference Program for Park and Recreation Products

  Playground Surfaces and Running Tracks -- DOE's recovered materials content levels for playground surfaces and running tracks are shown in Table I.13. These levels apply to playground surfaces and running tracks made of plastic or rubber. DOE's preference program for such items does not preclude users from purchasing playground surfaces or running tracks made from other materials.

  Table I.13 Recovered Materials Content Levels for Playground Surfaces and Running Tracks

  Product	Material	Postconsumer Recovered Materials (%)
  Playground Surfaces	Rubber or Plastic	90-100%
  Running Tracks	Rubber or Plastic	90-100%

  NOTE: The recommended recovered materials content levels are based on the dry weight of raw materials, exclusive of any additives such as adhesives, binders, or coloring agents.

  I.6 DOE's Preference Program for Transportation Products

  Temporary Traffic Control Devices -- DOE's recovered materials content levels for traffic cones and traffic barricades are shown in Table I.14.

  Table I.14 Recovered Materials Content Levels for Traffic Cones and Traffic Barricades

  Product	Material	Postconsumer Material (%)	Total Recovered Materials (%)
  Traffic Cones	PVC, LDPE, Crumb Rubber		50-100%
  Traffic Barricades (Type I & II only)	HDPE, LDPE, PET, Steel Fiberglass	80-100%	100% 100%

  NOTE: The recovered materials content levels are based on the dry weight of the raw materials, exclusive of additives such as adhesives, binders, or coloring agents.

  I.7 DOE's Preference Program for Vehicular Products

  Lubricating Oil -- DOE's minimum re-refined oil content standard is 25 percent for all engine lubricating oils, hydraulic fluids, and gear oils. DOE recommends that users refer to the specifications shown in Table I.15 when procuring re-refined lubricating oils.

  Table I.15 Specifications for Re-refined Lubricating Oils

  Military Specifications for Lubricating Oils	Minimum % Re-Refined Oil
  Engine Lubricating Oils   A-A-52039-Commercial Item Description, Lubricating Oil, Automotive Engine, API Service SG   API Engine Service Category SF-1980 Gasoline Engine Warranty Maintenance Service (or current category)   A-A-52306 Commercial Item Description, Lubricating Oil, Heavy-Duty Diesel Engine (for wheeled vehicles only)   API Engine Service Category CC-Diesel Engine Service (or current category)   MIL-L-2104, Lubricating Oil, Internal Combustion Engine, Combat/Tactical Service   API Engine Service Category CD-Diesel Engine Service (or current category)   MIL-L-21260D (or current version)-Lubricating Oil Internal Combustion Engine, Preservative and Break-In   MIL-L-46167B (or current version)-Lubricating Oil Internal Combustion Engine, Arctic	25% for all Engine Lubricating Oils
  Hydraulic Fluids   MIL-H-5606E (or current version)-Hydraulic Fluid, Petroleum Base, Aircraft, Missile, and Ordnance   MIL-H-6083E (or current version)-Hydraulic Fluid,Petroleum Base, For Preservation and Operation	25% for all Hydraulic Fluids
  Gear Oils   MIL-L-2105D (or current version)-Lubricating Oil, Gear, Multipurpose	25% for all Gear Oils

  NOTE: Copies of military specifications are available from the Commanding Officer, Naval Publications and Forms Center, 5801 Tabor Avenue, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania 19120.

  Re-refined Lubricating Oil Policy:

•  In Interagency Fleet Management Systems Vehicles, GSA requires the use of re-refined oil in passenger vehicles and light-duty trucks when: 1) the re-refined oil meets American Petroleum Institute standards(1); 2) the oil is the correct grade and viscosity for the vehicle being serviced; and 3) the price of the re-refined oil is less than or equal to that of a comparable virgin oil product. A copy of GSA's Policy on the "Use of Re-refined Oil in Interagency Fleet Management Systems," can be found in Appendix K.

•  American automobile manufacturers (Ford Motor Company, Chrysler Corporation, and General Motors) have revised their policies on the use of re-refined engine oils. All three automobile manufacturers allow for the use of re-refined engine oil provided the oil meets the International Lubricating Standardization and Approval Committee (ILSAC) Minimum Performance Standards (currently ILSAC GF-1) and/or is API certified (as evidenced by the API "Starburst" symbol). Ford Motor Company also recommends using engine oils meeting Ford Specification ESE-M2C153-E. Copies of Ford's, Chrysler's, and General Motors' policies on the use re-refined engine oils are contained in Appendix L.

  (1) Lubricating engine oils (virgin and re-refined) meeting API standards are identified with an API "Starburst" symbol.

  Best Practice:

  In March 1995, the Hanford Site awarded a closed-loop contract for re-refined engine oil. Under the terms of the contract, the vendor provides re-refined engine oil for the majority of the site's 4,300 vehicles. The vendor also collects the site's used lubricating oil at no cost and transports it to a refinery where it is processed for reuse. For more information, call Mr. Loren Martin, Materials Support Manager for Fleet Maintenance, ICF Kaiser Hanford Company, (509) 376-8743.

  Retread Tires -- DOE's preference program for retread tires consists of two alternatives: 1) procuring retreading services for used casings; or 2) purchasing retread tires from a vendor. Procuring retreading services is the preferred alternative. However, if retreading services are not practicable, then replacement retread tires should be procured in accordance with the specifications and Qualified Products Lists (QPL) shown in Table I.16 provided a retread is available in the size, load range, and tread designation required.

  DOE's retread tire preference program does not apply to the purchase of original equipment tires or to the front tires of passenger-carrying buses. (Federal regulations prohibit the use of retread tires on the front wheels of passenger-carrying buses.(2)

  (2) U.S. Department of Transportation, Federal Motor Carrier Safety Regulations, Title 49, Section 393.75(d).

  Table I.16 GSA Tire Specifications for New and Retread Tires

  Tire	Specification	Qualified Products Lists
  Passenger Car, Light-Truck, and Truck/Bus Tires	ZZ-T-381	QPL-22-T-381-7
  Pneumatic Industrial Tires	ZZ-T-410	no retreads qualified
  Low Speed, Off-Road Tires	ZZ-T-1083	no retreads qualified
  Agricultural Tires	ZZ-T-1619	no retreads qualified
  Tires, Retreaded and Repaired	ZZ-T-441	QPL not applicable, refer to QAFIP

•  Tire Retreading Services: When procuring tire retreading services for used tire casing, users should: 1) specify that tire repair and retread services conform to Federal Specifications ZZ-T-441H (or current version); 2) obtain retreading services from retreaders participating in GSA's Federal Tire Program's Quality Assurance Facility Inspection Program (QAFIP); and 3) require bidders to submit a copy of their current certification under the QAFIP or QPL qualification.

• Purchasing Retread Tires: When purchasing retread tires from a vendor, users should: 1) specify that retread tires must meet the requirements of Federal Specification ZZ-T-381, "Tires, Pneumatic, Vehicular (Highway) (New and Retread)," and be listed on the Qualified Products List QPL-ZZ-T-381, 2) require bidders to submit a copy of their current certification under GSA's Federal Tire Program's QAFIP.

  Reclaimed Engine Coolants -- For vehicles serviced at a motor pool or vehicle maintenance facility, DOE's preference program for reclaimed engine coolants consists of two alternatives: 1) reclaiming the spent engine coolants on-site for use in the facility's vehicles; or 2) establishing a service contract for reclamation of spent engine coolant for use in the facility's vehicles. For vehicles serviced at commercial service centers, DOE recommends that reclaimed engine coolants be requested. DOE does not recommend one type of engine coolant over another; however, DOE recommends purchasing engine coolants containing only one base chemical (typically ethylene glycol or propylene glycol) to prevent the comingling of incompatible types of engine coolants.