Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 53.97
Liaison Stephen Ellis
Submission Date Aug. 2, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Boston University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.75 / 3.00 Stephen Ellis
Director, Data Analytics
BU Sustainability
"---" 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:
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The policies, guidelines or directives:

Boston University has a Code of Ethics that is accepted when any supplier registers to do business with the University.

The Code of Ethics is as followed: " As a world-class research institution with wide-ranging supply needs, Boston University recognizes the value that our suppliers provide to the BU community.

Our goal is to create strategic relationships with a variety of suppliers who can provide superior service at the lowest total costs to the various academic and administrative branches of the University.

BU encourages competition for University business among small businesses and firms with diverse ownership to enable our supply base to reflect the face of our student body, staff, faculty, and communities.

This commitment reinforces the research and educational objectives of the University, creates opportunities for diverse growth, and strengthens our community. By registering with Boston University as a supplier, you will enable BU to capture your interests and allow our buyers to identify you as a potential supplier for future purchases. The diversity classification information captured during supplier registration is available to shoppers at Boston University through our supplier list."

This Code of Ethics can be found at http://www.bu.edu/sourcing/sell2bu/


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:

Boston University Facilities uses Green Seal and EcoLogo certified cleaning products. The University began its Sustainable Cleaning Program in the 1990’s to address concerns for worker safety and the desire to increase efficiencies. A major step was the installation of cleaning command centers to better manage chemical use, minimize packaging waste, reduce the University’s carbon footprint, lower the chances of chemical-related injuries, and meet the cleanliness goals of the University. The program has evolved over time as safer effective cleaning products have become available in the marketplace. The Sustainable Cleaning Program meets the LEED Existing Buildings Operations + Maintenance criteria for Green Cleaning. Please see: http://www.bu.edu/sustainability/what-were-doing/green-buildings/sustainable-cleaning-program/


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:

Boston University has a stated preference for green building design and construction. All new construction projects beginning the design phase in 2018 or later will be designed to meet LEED Gold through BD+C and ID+C version 4.0 as laid out in the Climate Action Plan. For more information please see: http://www.bu.edu/climateactionplan/files/2017/12/17-11-25-New-Buildings-Final.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)?:
Yes

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

Boston University utilizes only EPEAT Gold standards in our standard computer purchases. Please see the Computer Standards: Lenovo Standards: https://www3.lenovo.com/le/1215021820/us/en/1215021820; http://www.bu.edu/sourcing/wdyn/computers/


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:
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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:

Currently, the University does not have any stated guidance on labor and human rights standards specific to Garments and Linens. All Boston University Purchase Orders and Contracts include language on Code of Conduct. http://www.bu.edu/sourcing/suppliercenter/supplier_code_conduct/ Additionally, BU’s suggested provider of promotional items (e.g., shirts), Promoversity, adheres to fair labor standards as defined by The Fair Labor Association (FLA) and The Worker Rights Consortium (WRC).


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:

Boston University has a Transportation Plan as part of the Climate Action Plan. Boston University has pushed suppliers, such as WB Mason, to create greener transportation fleets, as such WB Mason is rolling out in the next two years hybrid-electric trucks for BU. BU also subsidizes monthly public transportation passes for Employees. For more information on this: http://www.bu.edu/parking/permits-passes/faculty-staff-permits/employee-mbta-pass-types/

BU’s Vehicle Fleet Program includes a policy (revised 5/18/2017) that states “Vehicle selection must take into consideration that all new BU vehicles must be economical and environmentally sustainable...”. BU uses Element Fleet Management company. http://www.bu.edu/climateactionplan/files/2017/09/Transportation-Draft-2017-09-22.pdf


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:

Boston University recently went through a consolidation exercise on commercial printing. As part of this, all of our partner suppliers in the Commercial Print program are utilizing our Contract with Veritiv. Veritiv, the nation’s largest paper merchant, is the primary specialty paper supplier for Boston University’s Directed to Buy Paper Program through the Boston Consortium. In the rare case that your choice of paper isn’t available, Veritiv will work with our printers to offer lower-cost comparable stock to ensure value and client satisfaction. Veritiv also works directly with paper mills to ensure that products comply with highest levels of environmental standards, including maintaining certifications with the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC), Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI), and the Programme for the Endorsement of Forest Certification (PEFC).

Boston University also utilizes a Swap and Saving program for our office paper purchases. This program has been highlighted by the President and is part of the Climate Action Plan.


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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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.