Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 65.01
Liaison Paul Mathisen
Submission Date May 23, 2017
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Worcester Polytechnic Institute
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.25 / 3.00 Liz Tomaszewski
Facilities Systems Manager/Sustainability Coordinator
Facilities Department
"---" 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:

The WPI Policy on sustainabile purchasing is attached. Also, agreements are in place with preferred vendors via GPO contracts and agreements which include sustainability criteria, goals and guidelines. Purchases from local vendors is also encouraged. WPI strives to enhance the economic opportunities and increase the level of participation by small, minority-owned, woman-owned, disadvantaged, veteran owned and local businesses in the University’s procurement process. The WPI community is encouraged to seek opportunities to obtain goods and services from qualified diversity suppliers that provide competitive quality and pricing. Many WPI preferred vendors have initiatives in place which incorporate sustainable business practices. Local state government websites, as well as purchasing cooperative consortiums of which WPI is a member, are resources for identifying diversity suppliers. WPI encourages contractors to solicit the participation of small businesses and businesses owned by women and minorities through partnerships, joint ventures, sub awards and other contractual opportunities.


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?:
Institution employs LCCA less comprehensively, e.g. for certain types of systems or projects and not others

A brief description of the LCCA policy and/or practices:

While we do not have a formal policy regarding LCCA, LCCA is informally employed across the operation of the campus in varying degrees. We do practice researching and choosing products that provide lower costs over their life. An example of this is the installation of LED light fixtures that have a much longer life span and reduce labor and energy use in the long term. Other recent examples include: use of low flow plumbing fixtures, selection of fuel efficient vehicles, installation of more efficient HVAC equipment, and implementation of energy reducing lab hood controls. A large energy management investment has been made in the past year to suppose these goals.


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:

WPI requires the use of the following Environmental Cleaning Policy throughout the WPI campus by on-site custodial staff:
WPI’s Environmental Cleaning Program 2017
Goal:
Building Services provides a clean and healthy environment by using the newest technology in floor care machinery, clean air equipment, and disinfection. Our goal is to provide the highest level of cleanliness by insisting on a safe and healthy environment for the WPI community. The success of this goal involves a continual process of reviewing buildings, products, techniques and staffing.
Practices:
Through the use of environmental friendly vacuum equipment, HEPA (High-Efficiency Particulate Air) filtration systems eliminate particles as small as 0.30 microns (dust particles smaller than the eye can see). This equipment helps to reduce human discomfort from allergies and helps to improve air quality throughout WPI’s facilities. Also related to building environment is the proper use of disinfectants. Custodians are trained to use the right disinfectants to ensure that employee time lost due to common seasonal illnesses is minimized. A program has been instituted to replace the standard cleaning industry’s mist sprayers to foam sprayers in order to reduce the amount of airborne chemicals in WPI’s buildings. This provides a safer environment for the cleaning staff as well as the occupants of the buildings on campus.
Staff education on cleaning, cleaning products, and equipment is provided at least four times yearly by a number of sources including in-house supervisory staff, custodial supply companies, and manufacturers’ representatives. Training is provided on floor and carpet care, restroom cleaning/disinfecting, proper product usage, and disinfecting of common areas.
Safety:
The Environmental and Occupational Safety training provides a wide range of safe learning, living and working environment training. This is accomplished through technical support, information and training programs, consulting services and periodic auditing of health and safety practices and regulatory compliance in all campus facilities. Staff Safety Training includes lab safety, use of personal protective equipment, proper lifting/ergonomics, proper snow shoveling, fire extinguisher training, blood borne pathogen training, and MSDS training.
Products:
The primary daily cleaning products are dispensed from dilution control systems found in all campus buildings. This form of dispensing assures a safe dilution of all the major products used on campus. The dilution control system is manufactured by Genesan. The Genesan products are bio-based and biologically-engineered cleaning products developed with true sustainability in mind at all phases of the products life-cycle. Genesan products are certified or meet the standards established by organizations including Eco label, ECO Logo, Green Seal, EPA’s Design for the Environment, and the USDA's BioPreferred Program. WPI has implemented safer, more sustainable cleaning tools, such as microfiber, and trained all personnel on the benefits of sustainable cleaning programs and cleaning products.


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:

WPI 's website on new construction specifies that all new construction will be LEED certifiable.


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:

Sustainability in Technology Management Acquisition: Energy Star and EPEAT (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool) ratings are a priority over initial investment costs when assessing options for acquiring technology. All purchases of computer and computer related equipment are managed through the Information Technology Department who ensures that the policy is followed.


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:

na


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:

na


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:

na


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)?:
No

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

na


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating wood and paper products?:
No

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

na


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?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for other commodity categories:
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The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

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