Agnes Scott College
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.50 / 3.00 |
Susan
Kidd Executive Director Center for Sustainability |
Does the institution have written policies, guidelines, or directives that seek to support sustainable purchasing across multiple commodity categories institution-wide?:
A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
The policies, guidelines or directives:
Agnes Scott developed a Sustainable Procurement Policy in 2018, which was included in our previous submission. The college remains committed to these same procurement guidelines as developed in 2018.
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:
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating chemically intensive products and services?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:
Agnes Scott College has adopted a Green Cleaning Policy in accordance with LEED-certification guidelines. This policy was written for a single LEED project, and has since been approved campus-wide. This policy addressed environmental best practices for cleaning the interiors of the college. Specifically, it addresses purchasing sustainable cleaning, hard-floor, and carpet products; cleaning and care of entryway systems; procuring sustainable cleaning equipment; developing and implementing standard operating procedures for effective cleaning; promoting and improving hand hygiene; developing guidelines for handling cleaning chemicals; developing staff and employee training requirements; collecting and addressing occupant feedback; and establishing procedures for use of chemical concentrates and dilution systems. Due to COVID-19 sanitation requirements, the college has made purchases outside of this policy. However, as soon as it is advisable by the CDC to relax these sanitation requirements, the college will resume 100% compliance with this policy.
Additional information on Agnes Scott's green cleaning procedures can be found in the attached policy below.
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating consumable office products?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for consumable office products:
The Green Team is committed to reducing the quantity of office supplies purchased by the College. This information is included in our procurement policy, and also on the Office of Accounting’s website.
Purchasers should ensure that the product is necessary before making any purchase. Effective January 17, 2019, the Green Team established a physical space for the college’s Office Supply Swap within the Bullock Science Center. Per the guidelines outlined in the college’s procurement policy, the Office of Accounting requires that purchasers visit the Office Swap location before ordering any consumable office products. If the needed item is not available on campus, the Office of Accounting encourages purchasers to order in bulk to save on the environmental impacts of shipping, while also ensuring all of the bulk items will be used. The Office of Accounting keeps this information updated on their website and the Green Team posts pictures to Facebook of the Office Swap’s current inventory.
Additionally, ITS is committed to procuring office paper that is only 100% post-consumer recycled content. This policy is outlined on their website under Printing Services, and under IT equipment purchasing which is discussed below.
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating furniture and furnishings?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for furniture and furnishings:
In accordance with the college’s LEED policy, all furniture and furnishings must meet LEED standards. This includes the following procedures:
- Give preference to durable fabrics made with recycled content
- Give preference to carpet, tiles, and insulation made of recycled and non-toxic materials.
- Consider refurbished items, rather than always buying new.
- When purchasing wood products, give preference to sustainably harvested, FSC-certified wood and with low VOC content
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating Information technology (IT) and equipment?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for Information Technology (IT) and equipment:
All IT equipment purchased by the college meets EPEAT or Energy Star certifications.
Agnes Scott College is dedicated to sustainability ensuring the technology utilized by the college is energy efficient and made through environmentally responsible methods. Agnes Scott strives to purchase computers, monitors, and laptops that are Energy Star certified and/or rated EPEAT silver or higher whenever possible.
- Information technology purchasing policies are included within the college’s procurement policy and include the following procedures:
- All new electronic products should be EPEAT or Energy Star registered products
- All new printers should have a duplex printing mode
- All new technology (printers, computers, etc.) shall be purchased or approved through ITS who will ensure products meet the appropriate environmental standards
- All exhausted electronics should be returned to ITS for recycling
- Equipment that uses main electricity is preferable. When batteries are essential, low mercury, cadmium or rechargeable batteries should be purchased. These batteries should be recycled at the end of their useful life.
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food service providers?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food service providers:
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 service providers?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional service providers:
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating transportation and fuels?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable procurement program or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Consumable Office Products: https://www.agnesscott.edu/accounting-and-budget/policies/purchasing-policy.html
Furniture and Furnishings: https://www.agnesscott.edu/sustainability/green-building-leed.html
Office Paper: https://www.agnesscott.edu/its/policies-procedures/scottieprinting.html
Technology Purchasing Policy: https://www.agnesscott.edu/its/policies-procedures/technology-purchasing-policy.html
Consumable Office Products: https://www.agnesscott.edu/accounting-and-budget/policies/purchasing-policy.html
Furniture and Furnishings: https://www.agnesscott.edu/sustainability/green-building-leed.html
Office Paper: https://www.agnesscott.edu/its/policies-procedures/scottieprinting.html
Technology Purchasing Policy: https://www.agnesscott.edu/its/policies-procedures/technology-purchasing-policy.html
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.