Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 73.16
Liaison Ryan Ihrke
Submission Date July 29, 2011
Executive Letter Download

STARS v1.0

Green Mountain College
Tier2-2: Local Businesses

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.25 / 0.25 Amber Garrard
Sustainability Coordinator
Sustainability Office
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution give preference to local products and businesses in its purchasing decisions? Local food purchases, which are covered in OP Credit 6: Food Purchasing, are not included in this credit.:
Yes

A brief description of the program:

As per the GMC Sustainable Purchasing Policy:

Biomass:
Whenever possible, the College purchases wood chips from within a 100 mile radius to fuel its biomass facility. The College is investigating ways to track and increase the percentage of wood chips acquired through sustainable harvesting practices.

Furnishings:
Dorm room and classroom furniture are to be purchased from regional furniture makers whenever possible. Preference will be given to recycled or re-purposed furniture and to vendors who use low-emitting glues and adhesives.

In addition to these categories outlined in GMC's Sustainable Purchasing Policy, many departments make an effort to purchase from local vendors whenever possible.

For example, GreenMAP (GMC Adventure Programming) purchases bulk food for Wilderness Challenge (orientation trips for new students) and backcountry trips from local food cooperatives. The Student Involvement and Residence Life offices support local businesses when promoting student activities on and off campus. The Farm and Food Project and the REED program, as well as the Facilities Department make a intentional effort to purchase materials from Williams Hardware, a locally owned business in Poultney.


The website URL where information about the program, policy, or practice is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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