ABSTRACT
The scope of environmental problems becomes more generally understood and popularly recognized, a new way of thinking about the world's environmental challenges is emerging. Prior to the 1970s, the federal environmental regulations that did exist were largely limited to voluntary approaches. With the growing concern over environmental degradation that emerged in the 1970s, however, federal regulations became mandatory. The federal government has not acted alone or necessarily as the leader, in environmentally friendly procurement in the US It is actually America's subnational governments that have led the way in green procurement development, thus living up to their reputation as "laboratories of democracy" in policy innovation. Green procurement generally refers to including "environmentally friendly" practices into government purchasing processes. Purchasing goods and services in a way that does not harm the environment, however, is no easy task. Deciding what precise characteristics a product or service must possess to be considered "environmentally preferable" is a complex activity.
