Environmental Policy

On the behest of Government of Madhya Pradesh EPCO formulated Environmental Policy of the State. The policy has been adopted by the State Government which has reaffirmed its commitment in sustainable development of the state. EPCO has also been made responsible for monitoring and evaluation of the various provisions of the policy. One of the major role that EPCO is expected to perform in future is to mainstream environmental concerns in various development initiatives of the state, specially poverty and livelihood related issues.

Green Building

EPCO has prepared a scheme for Green Building programme indicating current building practices, which have tremendous impact on environment, during construction, manufacture and operation. This programme would also help generating employment in semi urban and rural areas in addition to environmental conservation. Use of huge quantity of material resources and excessive energy consumption further leads to disruption of ecology. Green building programme instead stand for resource efficiency, recycling of waste, environment friendly materials and other benefits

The scheme has following salient points

• Green products/materials and technology should be included in the works manual of Government agencies involved in the construction activity.
• Green technology centers to be established in collaboration with NGO’s for the production of green materials, creation of showcase units and to generate awareness, training, and employment.
• Land developing agencies in the Government and private sector should obtain an environmental clearance before taking up any development programme.
• Increased use of Fly ash products for road and allied construction activities.
• Incorporate energy efficient manufacturing process in the construction manuals.

Eco-friendly/Green Public Procurement

Public Procurement represents sizable economy and sustainable development can be ensured only by reasonable combination of ecology and economy. Public procurement, therefore, has impact on economy and environment. Though there is system of eco-mark for green/eco-friendly product in India but none of the state have issued policy directives for use of green products in public sector. The public authorities may set an example to promote integration of environment in public purchasing. This will in turn help in traditional - Indigenous local employment oriented ECO friendly products, which are gradually going out of market due to open global market based economy. The life cycle assessments of green products indicates lower environmental impact compared to there conventional counterparts  mainly because of their recyclables, durability energy conservation low/no waste technology etc.

Epco has developed a scheme for green public procurement. The annual procurement of about 23000 tones paper/board by only four government agencies indicate that there is tremendous scope of green public procurement with added benefit of employment generation. The scheme indicated that initially, the cost of eco-friendly product will be higher but it would have long term benefits because of its social and environmental benefits because of its social and environmental benefits. Some example of green alternative of the items used in public sector has been indicated in the scheme. Out of which it is proposed to cover six eco-friendly items under green public procurement in the first phase viz,

1. Recycled paper/board and related stationary 
2. Water  purification system made of earthen pitcher pots with the help of sand and coal 
3. Bamboo products 
4. Jute products 
5. earthen products, i.e. kulhad, pen stand, smokeless chulhachimney and 
6. leather products. 

It is intended to promote green product under the govt. schemes of Rural Development and Urban Welfare Department with technical and marketing training input at local level. Initially the production of eco-friendly items are proposed to be integrated with the SJSY, DPIP, Livelihood project through their self help groups at gross root level. EPCO will coordinate the public awareness programmes and also interaction between beneficiaries and identified technical training agencies like Development Alternatives, M.P. Vigyan Sabha, Nepa mills and CEDMAP. Such a scheme also has tremendous potential for employment generation, as bonus to environment conservation.

The scheme of Green Public Procurement has been agreed in principle by state Government to issue POLICY DIRECTIVE for its implementation in phased manner