| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 68.71 |
| Liaison | Keisha Payson |
| Submission Date | Feb. 28, 2019 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Bowdoin College
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.50 / 3.00 |
Keisha
Payson Sustainability Director Facilities Mgmt |
Does the institution have written policies, guidelines or directives that seek to support sustainable purchasing across commodity categories institution-wide?:
A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
The policies, guidelines or directives:
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 (e.g. building and facilities maintenance, cleaning and sanitizing, landscaping and grounds maintenance)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:
To adhere to Bowdoin's Green Housekeeping policies and guidelines the college will strive to use products that are third-party verified as meeting or exceeding Green Seal-37 (Cleaning Products for Industrial and Institutional Use)or Eco-Logo standards. Preference will also be given for products that fall under the Sustainability Criteria B California Code of Regulations maximum allowable VOC level requirements for disinfectants, metal polish, floor finishes, strippers or other products not addressed by cleaning product standards such as GS-37 or Eco-Logo.
• Sustainability Criteria for Cleaning Products and Materials
o Green Seal GS-37, for general-purpose, bathroom, glass and carpet cleaners used for industrial and institutional purposes
o UL EcoLogo 2759 for hard-surface cleaners
o UL EcoLogo 2795 for carpet and upholstery care
o Green Seal GS-40 for industrial and institutional floor care products
o UL EcoLogo 2777 for hard-floor care
o EPA Safer Choice Standard
• Disinfectants, metal polish, or other products not addressed by the above standards must meet one or more of the following standards:
o Green Seal GS-52/53, for specialty cleaning products;
o EPA Safer Choice Standard
• Hand soaps and hand sanitizers must meet one or more of the following standards
o No antimicrobial agents (except where required by health codes and other regulations (e.g., food service and health care requirements)
o Green Seal GS-41, for industrial and institutional hand cleaners
o UL EcoLogo 2784 for hand cleaners and hand soaps
o UL EcoLogo 2783 for hand sanitizers
o EPA Safer Choice Standard
https://www.bowdoin.edu/sustainability/pdf/bowdoin-college-sustainability-purchasing.pdf
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating construction and renovation products (e.g. furnishings and building materials)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for construction and renovation products:
Bowdoin College Building Design Standards lists a preference for products that conserve embodied energy of materials and reduce the consumption of natural resources. There is a stated preference for local and durable materials as well as those that are low in VOC. For a complete list of stated environmentally preferable purchasing qualities see https://www.bowdoin.edu/facilities/pdf/building-design-standards-12-14-09.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)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for IT products and services:
Bowdoin's IT department purchasing policy states that the college shall only purchase EPEAT Gold and Silver rated computers unless there is a specific need for specialized equipment that has no EPEAT certified option. Bowdoin shall also consider the power ratings (if available) when purchasing items such as monitors. In order to reduce waste and save money, Bowdoin does not necessarily replace a monitor when replacing a computer, but if a new monitor is needed, energy efficiency is an important factor in purchasing decisions.
https://www.bowdoin.edu/sustainability/pdf/bowdoin-college-sustainability-purchasing.pdf
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food services (i.e. franchises, vending services, concessions, convenience stores)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food services:
Vending Services:
In accordance with sustainability initiatives, campus vendors will be expected to comply with sustainability standards outlined in their contracts. The standards are as follows:
Energy Star Compliance: All vending machines will be ENERGY STAR compliant. Any new equipment added in accordance with Section I of this Agreement shall be Energy Star compliant.
The Operator should visit www.energystar.gov for complete product specifications and an updated list of qualifying products.
In addition to meeting the 24-hour energy consumption requirements, qualifying vending models shall come equipped with hard wired controls and/or software capable of automatically placing the machine into a low power mode during periods of extended inactivity while still connected to its power source to facilitate the saving of additional energy. All machines shall be capable of operating in the low power modes described below:
i. Snack Machines: Lighting low power state – lights off for an extended period of time.
ii. Beverage Machines: Refrigeration low power state – the average product temperature is allowed to rise above 40°F for an extended period of time.
iii. Beverage Machines: Whole machine low power state – the lights are off and the refrigeration operates in its low power state.
In addition, the machine shall be capable of automatically returning itself back to its normal operating conditions at the conclusion of the inactivity period. The low power mode-related controls/software shall be capable of on-site adjustments by the vending operator or machine owner.
https://www.bowdoin.edu/sustainability/pdf/bowdoin-college-sustainability-purchasing.pdf
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:
The Bowdoin Bookstore is a member of the Fair Labor Association. Based on FLA guidelines, before doing business with a vendor Bowdoin always requires a completed Code of Conduct form that is kept on file.
https://store.bowdoin.edu/pages/about-us
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating professional services (e.g. architectural, engineering, public relations, financial)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional services:
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)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating wood and paper products?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for wood and paper products:
The College urges office supply buyers to purchase 100% recycled paper and office supply products made from recycled content for their office needs. To make this easier for purchasers the College has worked with our preferred office supply vendor to label products with a recycled content logo.
Disposable janitorial paper products must meet the minimum requirements of one or more of the following programs:
o EPA comprehensive procurement guidelines, for janitorial paper
o Green Seal GS-01, for tissue paper, paper towels and napkins
o UL EcoLogo 175 Sanitary Paper Products, for toilet tissue and hand towels
o Janitorial paper products derived from rapidly renewable resources or made from tree-free fibers
o FSC certification, for fiber procurement
o EPA comprehensive procurement guidelines, for plastic trash can liners
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?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for other commodity categories:
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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.