| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 65.87 |
| Liaison | Jessica Bast |
| Submission Date | Jan. 5, 2016 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
North Carolina State University
OP-14: Office Paper Purchasing
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
0.83 / 1.00 |
Sharon
Loosman Materials Management Director Materials Management |
Does the institution have an institution-wide stated preference to purchase office paper that has recycled content and/or is certified to meet multi-criteria sustainability standards for paper?:
A copy of the paper purchasing policy, directive or guidelines:
The paper purchasing policy, directive or guidelines:
The Sustainability Standard Operating Procedures, which include purchasing guidelines, were adopted in June, 2014.
2.5 Purchasing
NC State purchasing decisions are guided by total cost of ownership and total life
cycle cost. Any purchase by NC State will improve the environmental performance of its supply chain with consideration given to toxicity, recycled content, energy and water efficiency, rapidly renewable resources, and local production and manufacturing. Purchase decisions will improve the social responsibility of the supply chain, production working conditions and the use of historically underutilized businesses.
2.5.1 Environmentally and socially responsible attributes
• Include environmentally and socially responsible attributes whenever this
does not infringe on the statute-driven purchasing processes defined by
the State of North Carolina.
• Consider all phases of a product or service to determine its environmental
impacts including: raw materials acquisition, production, manufacturing,
packaging, distribution, operation, maintenance, disposal, potential for
reuse and ability to be recycled.
• Include environmentally and socially responsible attributes in
specifications, statements of work, and procurement of goods and
services.
2.5.2 Expansion of environmentally and socially responsible purchasing
• Seek environmentally and socially responsible purchasing for products and
services by selecting those that comply with the following current and
credible environmental and social standards:
o Green Seal certified for cleaning supplies, paints (no VOC),
windows, doors, flooring and adhesives
o Forest Stewardship Council certified for office paper, toilet paper,
every type/use of paper
o Green Guard standards for indoor environments such as paints,
furniture and bedding
o Cradle to Cradle production standards
o Purchasing from sources that feature adequate safeguards for
endangered forests and indigenous people
2.5.3 Procurement of paper products and initiatives that minimize paper
use
• Purchase paper and tissue products made from 50% post-consumer
recycled content. In the absence of 50% post-consumer, purchase the
highest post-consumer recycled content or highest pre-consumer recycled
material content.
• Use photocopy practices that minimize paper use and reduce costs
including:
o Duplex (double-sided) printing and photocopying
o Use of digital file management and imaging software
o Enhance capabilities for electronic document creation and storage
o Eliminating unnecessary printing
o Using the maximum margins allowable by University branding
guidelines to fit more content on each sheet of paper
• By January 1, 2015, 50% of paper products will comply with this regulation
and will increase by 25% each year until 100% of all paper and tissue
products comply.
2.5.4 Energy Star® equipment and electronics
• Purchase Energy Star, or better, electronic office equipment, including but
not limited to computers, monitors, printers, scanners, photocopy
machines, facsimile machines and other such equipment.
• Purchase Energy Star or better appliances and other energy consuming
equipment when available.
• Budget for Energy Star or better for equipment listed for requests for
proposals, specifications, and contracts for products or services.
2.5.5 EPEAT computers
• Purchase new computers that meet the Electronic Product Environmental
Assessment Tool (EPEAT) Silver or Gold Energy Efficiency standards.
2.5.6 Adherence to the NC State Design and Construction Guidelines
• Require all members of the NC State community adhere to the Design and
Construction Guidelines regarding material choices.
2.5.7 The procurement of the following is discouraged to the maximum
extent feasible and within limitation of existing laws and regulations:
● Asbestos-containing materials
● Mercury-containing materials
● Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs)
● Hazardous substances requiring special handling and disposal
● Polystyrene products and packaging
● Bleached, virgin paper with 0% post-consumer recycled content
A brief description of steps the institution has taken to ensure that the purchasing policy, directives, or guidelines are followed :
The Sustainability SOP included measures for ensuring the guidelines are followed as such:
2.5.8 The director of Materials Management structures procurement
procedures to:
• Include a review of compliance with this SOP as a part of regularly
scheduled review of delegated procurement. Include comments regarding
the extent of compliance and suggestions for improvements in reports
furnished to Deans, Directors, Department Heads and Vice Chancellors
(as applicable).
• Review requisitions received from departments and units of the University.
Suggest environmentally and socially responsible alternatives for
consideration by the requestor.
• Actively seek sources for environmentally and socially responsible
products. Materials Management identifies and posts links to appropriate
search tools that may be of use to the campus community in selecting
environmentally preferable product alternatives, such as the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) database of environmentally
preferable products.
• Establish and actively promote the use of term contracts and University
specific convenience contracts for environmentally and socially
responsible goods and services commonly used by campus. Upon
expiration of existing contracts, evaluate opportunities for replacement with
more environmentally and socially responsible options. Post all contract
bid opportunities on the NC Department of Administration’s Division of
Purchase and Contract Interactive Purchasing System website.
• Appoint one or more environmentally and socially responsible procurement
coordinators with responsibility for researching opportunities for
environmentally preferable goods and services, issuing solicitations to
establish contracts, and promoting the goods and services to the campus
community. Establish an outreach and education program designed to
inform campus about the availability of and benefits associated with such
products.
• Encourage all vendors to offer environmentally and socially responsible
product promotions. Actively market these opportunities to campus via the
Materials Management website, e-mail and other venues likely to reach
the campus community at-large.
• Actively promote the reuse of surplus property available at the Surplus
Property Office as an alternative to procurement of new products.
• Aggressively seek multiple sources and promote competitive bidding for
the environmentally and socially preferable products specified by
requesting departments and units.
• Develop and implement the use of standard contract provisions promoting
the policies established herein.
Does the institution wish to pursue Part 2 of this credit (expenditures on office paper)?:
Expenditures on office paper with the following levels of post-consumer recycled, agricultural residue, and/or FSC certified content::
| Expenditure Per Level | |
| 10-29 percent | 0 US/Canadian $ |
| 30-49 percent | 0 US/Canadian $ |
| 50-69 percent | 4,917.42 US/Canadian $ |
| 70-89 percent (or FSC Mix label) | 0 US/Canadian $ |
| 90-100 percent (or FSC Recycled label) | 3,595.40 US/Canadian $ |
Total expenditures on office paper :
The website URL where information about the paper purchasing policy, directive, or guidelines is available:
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.