| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 63.17 |
| Liaison | Carly Thibodeau |
| Submission Date | Aug. 21, 2023 |
Endicott College
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.50 / 3.00 |
Carly
Thibodeau Associate Director of Sustainability Office of Sustainability |
Does the institution have written policies, guidelines, or directives that seek to support sustainable purchasing across multiple commodity categories institution-wide?:
A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
The policies, guidelines or directives:
Excerpt from Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines:
GUIDELINE STATEMENTS
• Buy goods from producers that are committed to sustainability and social responsibility
• Minimize the consumption of non-replaceable natural resources
• Utilize Environmentally Preferable Products (EPP) and processes
• Purchase third party certified/verified products when possible (i.e. Cradle to Cradle, Fair Trade, Energy Star)
• Minimize waste from packaging materials and waste generated by the eventual disposal of the product
• Maximize the reuse and recyclability of materials
• With every purchase, large or small, ask critical questions about the environmental and health sensitivities of the product before buying
OBJECTIVES
• Incorporate sustainability related language in vendor agreements
• Negotiate with suppliers for pricing and sustainable products and services
• Increase vendor options year over year
• Research new suppliers and products and/or respond to supplier inquiries
• Balance value concerns relating to long-term return on investments and other budgetary considerations
• Establish processes for data gathering and reporting on sustainable products and services from preferred vendors
• Review product offerings, recommend sustainable products and collaborate with vendors
• Review and confirm vendor sustainability claims, as needed
• Share best practices College-wide
• Promote, implement, and follow the Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines
Does the institution employ Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) when evaluating energy- and water-using products and systems?:
Which of the following best describes the institution’s use of LCCA?:
A brief description of the LCCA policy and/or practices:
Endicott contracts with a design-build firm that uses LCCA to evaluate building energy systems to help in final decision-making.
The Office of Sustainability and Facilities Department are in the process of implementing Green Building Standards that will utilize Harvard University's Life Cycle Costing (LCC) Calculator (or a similar tool) to evaluate all energy and water-using products and systems.
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating chemically intensive products and services?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:
- Cleaning solvents should be biodegradable, phosphate-free and citrus based when the quality of service will not be compromised
- Cleaning products should meet Green Seal Certification standards and should be recommended for use by both internal staff and contracted vendors
- Products and equipment should not contain lead or mercury
- All hand soap is purchased free of antimicrobials
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating consumable office products?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for consumable office products:
- As practical, ensure that wood and wood contained in products purchased is certified to be sustainably harvested
- Avoid the purchase of tropical hardwoods
- 30% post-consumer waste recycled paper should be used for all applications, as appropriate
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating furniture and furnishings?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for furniture and furnishings:
- Replace inefficient interior or exterior lighting with LED energy efficient equipment that is Energy Star rated and DLC listed
- Purchase water efficient appliances which may include, but are not limited to, high performance fixtures such as toilets, low flow faucets and showerheads
- Furniture and applicable products shall comply with requirements of Healthier Hospitals Initiative Safer Chemicals Challenge: Healthy Interiors (“HHI-Healthy Interiors”)
- Recycled, reusable or reground materials should be used when specifying concrete and cement for road construction projects, as practical
- Reclaimed stone and brick should be used when possible
- Green purchasing concepts should be integrated into architectural designs, final construction documents and the final construction of buildings and renovation of facilities. As appropriate, buildings and renovations should follow Endicott’s Green Building Standards and best practices for design, construction and operations.
- Products such as paint, carpeting, adhesives, furniture and casework with the lowest amount of VOCs, highest recycled content and low formaldehyde should be used when practical.
- The use of chlorofluorocarbon and halon-containing refrigerants, solvents and other products should be phased out and new purchases for HVAC, refrigeration, insulation and fire suppression systems should not contain these chemicals.
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating Information technology (IT) and equipment?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for Information Technology (IT) and equipment:
- Computers and electronic appliances should be Energy Star rated and defaulted to energy saving mode when possible
- Ensure that photocopiers and printers purchased or leased are capable of duplex copying and printing
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food service providers?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food service providers:
Dining & Food focus area section of College's Sustainable Procurement Guidelines are applied to all food services across campus. This section helps guide sustainability language that is included in RFP's for all food service providers. Sustainability language is also incorporated into written contracts when issued. This process is facilitated by the Office of Sustainability in partnership with Procurement. There is also a focus on choosing service providers that have corporate level sustainability plans and/or goals that are clearly stated and demonstrated. All service providers are reviewed for best sustainable practices and this plays a factor in decision making.
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating garments and linens?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for garments and linens:
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating professional service providers?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional service providers:
- Buy goods from producers that are committed to sustainability and social responsibility
- Incorporate sustainability related language in vendor agreements
- Negotiate with suppliers for pricing and sustainable products and services
- Increase vendor options year over year
- Research new suppliers and products and/or respond to supplier inquiries
- Balance value concerns relating to long-term return on investments and other budgetary considerations
- Review product offerings, recommend sustainable products and collaborate with vendors
- Review and confirm vendor sustainability claims, as needed
- Share best practices College-wide
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating transportation and fuels?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
- Request vendors review the manner in which their goods are packaged, and work with them in the areas of reduction, reuse and recyclability of packaging materials
- Consolidate orders to minimize campus deliveries and transportation distances when possible
- When possible, vendors should be encouraged to remove waste, debris, packaging or used products in the same vehicle with which they are delivering purchased equipment or goods
- Reuse and/or recycle packaging materials and pallets on campus
Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable procurement program or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.