Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 56.33
Liaison Kimberly Post
Submission Date July 18, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Saint Joseph's College - ME
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 3.00 Kimberly Post
Community-Based Learning Director
Academic Affairs
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have written policies, guidelines or directives that seek to support sustainable purchasing across commodity categories institution-wide?:
Yes

A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
The policies, guidelines or directives:
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Does the institution employ Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) when evaluating energy- and water-using products and systems?:
No

Which of the following best describes the institution’s use of LCCA?:
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A brief description of the LCCA policy and/or practices:
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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)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:

All degreasing agents, floor cleaners, hand soap, hand sanitizer, floor cleaner, all-purpose cleaner, glass cleaner, and shampoos and body washes provided by the College will be UL EcoLogo, Green Seal, or U.S. EPA Safer Choice labeled (formerly Design for the Environment) certified.
Laundry detergent used for athletics and campus life equipment will be EcoLogo certified.
All carpet cleaning products purchased will meet Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) certification and and will obtained the CRI’s Seal of Approval (SOA), which certifies superior carpet cleaning products, equipment, and service providers.
All vacuums will be CRI Certified Green Label, a certification ensuring low Volatile Organic Compound (VOC) emissions and improved indoor air quality based on the amount and size of dust particles the vacuum cleaner is able to collect.
The College is phasing out the use of trash liners.
The College will use bucketless mops, which decreases the amount of water used in the cleaning process.
Exemptions from these Purchasing Principles:
Disinfectants


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating construction and renovation products (e.g. furnishings and building materials)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for construction and renovation products:

Furniture:
Furniture for all new construction projects and renovated areas and/or purchases will obtain Level certification or be Cradle to Cradle certified.
Preference will be given to flame-retardant free furniture for fire safety purposes and to avoid the toxic chemicals.
Individuals and departments are encouraged to purchase furniture that meets Level standards or Cradle to Cradle certification.

Environmental Sustainability Considerations: Demonstrating Responsible Stewardship of Resources
Commitment to purchasing and using products, supplies, and items that are third party certified for ... building supplies, furniture, and more


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)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for IT products and services:

Electronics Products
All of the following products will meet Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool EPEAT standards:
Desk tops
Laptops
Printers
TV Monitors will meet EPEAT silver standards; the College will explore EPEAT gold options once they are available on the market.
The College leases its copiers, and will explore EPEAT Gold options when the new RFP process begins.
When purchasing, SJC members will consider and prioritize the lifespan, functionality, and durability of a product (in addition to cost) in order to minimize waste and obsolescence of purchases.


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food services (i.e. franchises, vending services, concessions, convenience stores)?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food services:

Sustainability Vendor Code of Conduct
This Sustainability Vendor Code of Conduct is a set of holistic sustainability (environmental, social, and economic) guidelines to consider when hiring vendors and partners in addition to the criterion of cost, function, and aesthetic.

The College will ask about the following considerations when appropriate and relevant to the vendors’ industry, product, and/or service being delivered; these considerations apply to the business and its franchisees (if applicable).

Guiding Considerations Across Environmental Sustainability, Social Justice,
and Economic Viability

Environmental Sustainability Considerations: Demonstrating Responsible Stewardship of Resources
Sustainability is explicitly stated as a priority of the company/organization across its activities.
Established corporate social responsibility program or initiative with transparent methods for regularly assessing and reporting on progress towards goals and implementation of policies.
Adherence to a company-wide Climate Action and Sustainability Plan that is publicly available with a transparent reporting on progress towards goals and implementation of relevant policies.
Explicit commitment to give preference to locally produced goods and services purchased from a local and independent business in order to strengthen the economic base of the community and minimize the externalities associated with products produced by large multinational corporations, such as emissions from transportation and extra materials used in packaging.
Commitment to purchasing and using products, supplies, and items that are third party certified for cleaning products, equipment, paper products, building supplies, furniture, and more (such as alternative vehicles).
Company tracks its greenhouse gas emissions, water intensity, and material waste
Commitment to use resources responsibly: minimize waste, recycle materials, and divert waste from the landfill, use post consumer recycled materials in the production of finished products, use third party certified efficient equipment, technologies, materials, and supplies, reduce its resource footprint (carbon, water, energy, and waste) of their operations.
Vendors are encouraged to provide evidence of their adherence to such recognized norms of environmental quality and performance.


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating garments and linens?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for garments and linens:
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Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating professional services (e.g. architectural, engineering, public relations, financial)?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional services:
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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)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:

Fleet:
...preference shall be given to acquiring fuel-efficient, alternatively fueled and low-emission vehicles that meet one or more of these criteria:

Fuel efficiency: vehicles achieving at least 40 miles per gallon) or;
Emissions: meeting the Super Ultra Low Emissions Vehicles (SULEV) or Partial Zero Emission Vehicle (PZEV) standards;
Battery electric and plug-in hybrid vehicles including passenger vehicles, golf carts and people movers; and
Alternative fueled vehicles: powered by propane, compressed natural gas (CNG), E-85, hydrogen or biodiesel (blend of B20 or greater).


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating wood and paper products?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for wood and paper products:

Paper Products
The following paper products will meet Green Seal or UL EcoLogo certification:
Toilet paper
Napkins (purchased outside of Dining)
Paper towels
Tissues
Stationery (envelopes and letterhead) will contain recycled content of 30%.
Saint Joseph’s College bans use of virgin copy paper on campus and will purchase copy paper (sizes 8.5 x 11; 14; 12 x 17; and 12 x 18 inches) containing at least 50% recycled content.
To accommodate the use of copy paper made from recycled content, the College will lease or purchase copiers or printers compatible with copy paper made from recycled content.


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?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for other commodity categories:

Landscape Management Products and Equipment:

This section of the Purchasing Principles covers products and equipment for Pearson’s Town Farm, athletic fields, and the rest of campus grounds.

Landscape Products
The use of inorganic fertilizer is banned on the Farm and used on a limited basis on athletic fields only. Most fertilizer purchased and used will be certified organic and come from compost from farms/facilities in Maine.
Turf paint which is low VOC and biodegradable is used on athletic fields is used on athletic fields.
Turface for baseball fields: a clay product applied to the soil on the baseball field used to maintain adequate drainage (maintains moisture and cuts down on the pooling of water) and prevent injuries.
The College will explore more sustainable alternatives to the following inorganic products currently used on athletic fields.
Dimension pre-emergent: Crabgrass control
Cool power or Trimec: Weed controls- (spot treatment only)
Allectus: Grub preventative
Fertilizers (19-0-6, 30-0-10, 18-0-5) all are at least 50% slow release products
Cal Lime: Lime-Solu
Seeds and Plants: The College has a stated preference for purchasing plants that meet the following criteria:
Native to Maine and New England
Noninvasive species
Pollinator friendly
Edible by humans and animals
Drought tolerant or wet tolerant where appropriate
Biodiverse species

Landscape Equipment
When purchasing tractors, snowblowers, pick-up trucks and hitches, and lawnmowers, the College will prioritize and give preference (when economically feasible) to those products that are fuel efficient, use alternative fuel sources, and/or are animal driven.

Preferred Suppliers
The following suppliers are “preferred” because they meet one or more of the following criteria: located within close proximity to the College, offer organic products, and/or are a small, family run, or alumnus/a owned business.


The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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