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he city is proceeding with developing a green procureâ€" I ment policy that will see municipal departments purâ€" chasing ecoâ€"friendly "green" products. Council unanimously approved the initiative, which will apply to all city departments, last Monday. â€""The City of Waterloo has always been committed to being a leader in green procurement," said John Miller, the director of purchasing and planning. _ 0 The city already has a number of green initiatives, including Leadership in Environmental and Energy Design (LEED) approved buildings and an energy manâ€" agement plan, he added. "According to the strategic plan, our job is to create the best environment for those who live, play and work in Waterloo. That‘s what this plan will do," he said. _ _ The p}ocurement plan will bring these under one umbrella and formalize the city‘s commitment to the enviâ€" ronment, Miller said. While official guidelines haven‘t been worked out yet, Miller said that the purchasing department will encourage environmentally friendly products and also award extra Waterloo Chronicle readers have their last chance to pick their favourites during the annual Readers‘ Choice nominaâ€" tion process.. â€" â€" The deadline for submissions to this year‘s Readers‘ Choice award is this Friday. Have your say. Let us know. What is your favourite restaurant? Who is your favourite service provider? points to greenâ€"friendly companies during tender processes. _ "Green procurement is not just a fad," he said. "We want to use products that minimize consumption of enerâ€" gy and water and have the least impact on human health." Who goes abave and beyond to provide the best in cusâ€" tomer service? The Chronicle Readers‘ Choice survey wants to know. To find out more about the survey, and to have your say, visit www.waterloochronicle.ca and click the link to the Readers‘ Choice survey. But Coun. Karen Scian said that developing a plan will be deceptively complex. In order to wark with other tenâ€" der bylaws, staff will have to modify a number of proceâ€" dures, she said. "It looks like a simple solution but I think it might be more complex as we go along," Scian said. â€" â€" Miller acknowledged that city staff has a tough task ahead of them, but believes it will lead to cost savings in the future. "We have to take a look at the total cost of ownership," he said, adding that green products can save money in the longâ€"run by conserving energy or reducing utility conâ€" sumption. Last chance for Readers‘ Choice City‘s new green procurement policy hopes for savings "These are not all going to be millionâ€" dollar purchases. It can be as simple as turning lights off when you leave your office or turning your computer off." â€"John Miller Director of purchasing and planning By Grec MacDonaL Chronicle Staff And the procurement policy won‘t just cover bigâ€"ticket developments or purchases, Miller said. _ i It can be as simple as replacing Styrofoam cups with paper ones at public meetings, he said. _ "It can be as simple as turning lights off when you leave your office or turning your computer off," he told council. _ "These are not all going to be millionâ€"dollar purchases," Miller said. 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Offrs e ony on approved crt and only meidable tvough paricipnting dnaers and to quafied retad cosinma‘t in Canadi See participating danle for datal. "Whichimer comes frst Wflmnfi New Vaticie Limiind Waranty conirs mt vehicle arts undar normal use and maintarance "* Bst Bacind claim based on OEM nformation for VIT/08 vehicies Rancer Evahiion ced Sae dasler or Mitmb Motors c for Warranty and Ausitarcs tame and cordiins and other detais ingortart program resvictons apely and not al crstomi wil qualfy: Snb patiipering deat o Echcarton falge tarns & cantions. METSUBSH MOTORS G0 FAR. BEST ADCED CARS t TE WORLO are tradâ€"maks of Mnibinh Motrs Noth Amrica, ic and ane used urder ow Outiander features include: * 2 4L 168HP MIVEC Engine * Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) * Available Onâ€"Demand, Driver Selectable 4WD * Air Conditioning * Standard Front, Side and Curtain Air Bags * Power Windows, Locks & Mirrors Purchase for 2008 OUTLANDER starting at $24,998 mser $298 :: month‘ The Region of Waterloo and the cities of Kitchener and Cambridge are also developing green procurement policies and Miller said he is working with local institutions, such as universities and school boards, on extending the policy outâ€" wards. "Going green makes sense and will save money in the longâ€"run," he said. "It may not seem that way at the initial purchase, but it will down the road." Lancer features include: * 2.0L 152 HP DOHC MIVEC 4â€"cyl. Engine « 5â€"Speed Manual Gearbox or available 6â€"step Paddleâ€"Shift Sportronic?* « Available 18" AlloyWhesis® « Available Full Ground Effects Package® * Optional 650 W Rockford Fosgate Audio System‘" Purchase for WATERLOO CHRONICLE + Wednesday, March 26; 2008 * 11 w 2008 LANCER starTing at $16,598 mser $188 Per month‘