Premier healthcare alliance’s supply chain unit, Purchasing Partners, has signed group contracts for computers and electronic devices from Dell and Gateway that use green manufacturing, use and end-of-life processes. Premier says its the first major healthcare alliance to integrate a contracting process based on the Green Electronics Council’s Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool.

The EPEAT system of product rating encourages manufacturers to design their products to last longer, contain less hazardous material, be more energy efficient, and be easier to upgrade and recycle.

Dell has 38 models currently registered with EPEAT at the Silver level. With Gateway’s recent EPEAT registration of 26 models at the Bronze level, Premier’s members now have numerous computer products available from both contracted suppliers that meet specific, verifiable environmental criteria.

“Hospitals buy tens of thousands of computers, and their purchasing dollars can and should support environmentally preferable choices in manufacturing and disposal of electronic equipment,” said Sarah O’Brien, H2E/Hospitals for a Healthy Environment Environmental Purchasing Program Manager, who worked with Premier to integrate environmental criteria into the contract process.