ALBANY COUNTY — The county’s application to become a member of the Green Purchasing Communities program has been approved, Daniel McCoy, the county’s executive, announced on Wednesday.

The program’s goal is to make it easier for local governments to purchase commodities, services, and technology that have a lower environmental impact.

As a member of the program, the county pledges to follow the GreenNY purchasing specifications the state government uses to protect public health and the environment.

These criteria identify products that: minimize the risks of discharging pollutants into the environment, maximize the use of recycled materials, and prioritize renewable resources.

Through the program, Albany County can accrue points toward its Climate Smart Communities Certification. Albany County was certified on Sept. 25, 2021 with 176 points earned from 30 completed actions.