| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 81.82 |
| Liaison | Ryan Ihrke |
| Submission Date | Feb. 23, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Green Mountain College
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.50 / 3.00 |
Ryan
Ihrke Director of Sustainability Sustainability |
Does the institution have written policies, guidelines or directives that seek to support sustainable purchasing across commodity categories institution-wide?:
A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
The policies, guidelines or directives:
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:
Projects on campus employing Life Cycle Cost Analysis have focused primarily on projects related to the institutions Green Revolving Loan Fund and some additional upgrade projects to improve energy efficiency around campus. Recent projects have included upgrading interior and exterior lighting, weatherization projects including the Two Editors Inn and Campus Farmhouse.
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating chemically intensive products and services (e.g. building and facilities maintenance, cleaning and sanitizing, landscaping and grounds maintenance)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:
Facilities and maintenance providers should adhere to the industry-leading GreenClean® program. Adhering to GreenClean® mandates the purchase of GreenSeal and Environmental Choice products and materials, green cleaning equipment, and regular staff training for use of these products. Equipment and methods are selected specifically to protect and enhance air quality, occupant health, and building function. C & W also continuously documents the efficiency of its equipment and performs cost -benefit analyses on replacing versus recycling old materials. Custodial hygiene training policy (followed by GreenClean®) for employees must be stringent and include consideration for both human and biological health.
When purchasing paint specifically, at a minimum the product should emit the lowest
amount of VOCs possible in addition to the general criteria outlined above. In order to increase quality of paint used without adding to allotted budget, building interiors will be repainted when needed but no more than biannually.
Language taken from Green Mountain College's Sustainable Purchasing Policy: http://www.greenmtn.edu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/Sustainable.PurchasingPolicy.2014.FINAL_-1.pdf
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating construction and renovation products (e.g. furnishings and building materials)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for construction and renovation products:
Supplies for furnishings and renovations include furniture, carpeting, paints, adhesives,
flooring, and general construction material. GMC will endeavor to purchase supplies for
furnishings and renovations from vendors whose products meet one or more of these criteria:
1.Local (within 250 miles)
2.Durable (expected to last over 20 years in conditions of heavy use)
3.FSC-certified (for wood products)
4.Low VOC
5.Reused or contains recycled content
When purchasing carpeting specifically, at a minimum the new carpets should meet one
or more of the following criteria in addition to the general criteria outlined above:
1.Low VOC
2.Reused or contains recycled content
Carpets should be recycled when deemed unusable if a carpet recycler can be identified locally.
Language taken from Green Mountain College's Sustainable Purchasing Policy: http://www.greenmtn.edu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/Sustainable.PurchasingPolicy.2014.FINAL_-1.pdf
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating Information technology (IT) products and services (e.g. computers, imaging equipment, mobile phones, data centers and cloud services)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for IT products and services:
The College will endeavor to always purchase energy efficient appliances and CTS
equipment that meets one or all of the specific standards of sustainability that are outlined below:
1. Appliances should meet EPA Energy Star requirements for eligible products.
2. Appliances should meet the gold standard for IEEE 1680 sustainability standards laid out by UL (also known as EPEAT) for eligible products such as desktops, laptops/notebooks, work stations, displays (computer monitors), televisions, printers, copiers, scanners, and multifunction devices (fax machines, copiers, fax/copier combinations).
In the case of CTS equipment in particular, the complexities of the technology
marketplace and manufacturing environment have led to many unsustainable practices both environmentally and socially. GMC will continue to identify and work with technology companies whose current & future policies are in line with the sustainability mission of the College.
To further reduce impact and the need to purchase new equipment, CTS endeavors to maximize the lifespan of its equipment. This may be accomplished in two ways. First, CTS strives to purchase equipment with an expected lifespan of over five years, and aims to keep that equipment in service for at least that length of time. Second, for computers at the end of their useful life, usable parts will be taken out, refurbished, repaired, and reused if possible, while unusable parts will be processed as e-waste. This e-waste will go to a certified e-waste collector in New England, so that the material can be recycled.
Language taken from Green Mountain College's Sustainable Purchasing Policy: http://www.greenmtn.edu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/Sustainable.PurchasingPolicy.2014.FINAL_-1.pdf
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food services (i.e. franchises, vending services, concessions, convenience stores)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food services:
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 services (e.g. architectural, engineering, public relations, financial)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional services:
The environmental guidelines for business partners policy outlines environmental standards that should be reached by “business partners”working with Green Mountain College, as well as standards for business partners aspiring to become “preferred” partners. The minimum standards require reasonable efforts to disclose information that can help the College understand the environmental impact of its purchases and have an opportunity to purchase more environmentally-friendly products or servicesif it chooses
to. In order to reach preferred status, a business partner must go beyond the effort to disclose information and show sustained commitment to high environmental standards in products and services. The criteria for each of these standards are outlined in detail at: http://www.greenmtn.edu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/Green.Mountain.College.Guidelines.for_.Business.Partners.FINAL_.8.1.2014.pdf
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating transportation and fuels (e.g. travel, vehicles, delivery services, long haul transport, generator fuels, steam plants)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
Green Mountain College will endeavor to purchase a minimum of two thirds of the
wood-chips used for the central heating plant from the Poultney Woodshed Project. The wood chips purchased from this program are sourced within a 50 mile radius of the college. Chips in this program meet a minimum threshold of sustainability by originating from land enrolled in the State of Vermont’s Use Value Appraisal Program. More information about the Poultney Woodshed project can be found on Green Mountain College’s sustainability website.
For the remaining wood chips, preference will go to companies that source sustainably
within a 250 mile radius. In situations where other biomass feedstocks are used, all biomass should be sourced in accordance with Green Mountain College’s sustainable mission.
Language taken from Green Mountain College's Sustainable Purchasing Policy: http://www.greenmtn.edu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/Sustainable.PurchasingPolicy.2014.FINAL_-1.pdf
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating wood and paper products?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for wood and paper products:
Supplies for furnishings and renovations include furniture, carpeting, paints, adhesives,
flooring, and general construction material. GMC will endeavor to purchase supplies for
furnishings and renovations from vendors whose products meet one or more of these criteria:
1. Local (within 250 miles)
2. Durable (expected to last over 20 years in conditions of heavy use)
3.FSC-certified(for wood products)
Departments will endeavor to purchase a minimum of 30% post -consumer recycled content office paper. Paper should also be FSC-certified. Departments are encouraged to use digital communication whenever possible to reduce paper consumption on campus with the goal of reducing total cost of paper by 20% by 2020. All printers should be programmed to print double-sided. GOOS paper collection boxes should be available at all major printers, so that people can reuse paper.
Language taken from Green Mountain College's Sustainable Purchasing Policy: http://www.greenmtn.edu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/Sustainable.PurchasingPolicy.2014.FINAL_-1.pdf
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating products and services in other commodity categories that the institution has determined to have significant sustainability impacts?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for other commodity categories:
Water
Neither the College nor any vendors may sell bottled water on the Poultney campus. The
ban applies to soda machines as well. Bottled water is defined as regular, flat, flavorless water that comes in a package such as a plastic bottle or box. Exceptions are allowed during emergencies when access to tap water is limited.
Grounds and Landscaping:
Groundskeeping must continue to be as local and sustainable as possible by sourcing materials from self-sustaining closed loops on campus. Waste materials such as mulch, dirt, compost, sod, and leaves should be redistributed and used around campus.
Materials that are sourced off-campus should be purchased locally. Before being disposed of, all useable materials should be reused on campus.
Groundskeeping will aspire to purchase native non-invasive species as much as possible for decorative gardening. Stone, seeds, plants, and all other necessary materials that the College purchases for landscaping should also be sourced locally whenever possible.
Language taken from Green Mountain College's Sustainable Purchasing Policy: http://www.greenmtn.edu/wordpress/wp-content/uploads/Sustainable.PurchasingPolicy.2014.FINAL_-1.pdf
The website URL where information about the programs 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.