| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 68.45 |
| Liaison | Keisha Payson |
| Submission Date | May 8, 2024 |
Bowdoin College
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.00 / 3.00 |
Keisha
Payson Sustainability Director Facilities Mgmt |
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:
Bowdoin gives preference to local vendors in the purchasing of goods and services. In Fiscal Year 2022 Bowdoin purchased $25 million in goods and services from Maine vendors. $6.19 Million from area vendors and $4.45 million from vendors in the Town of Brunswick. Bowdoin places a strong emphasis on supplier diversity, encouraging departments to find businesses that are: Women-owned businesses (WBE) Minority-owned businesses (MBE) Veteran-owned businesses LGBTQ-owned businesses Businesses owned by individuals with a disability
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:
Bowdoin employs LCCA to energy related projects but we have not always applied LCCA to water using products to date.
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:
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/sustainability-purchasing-guidelines_2024.pdf
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 College urges office supply buyers to purchase 100 percent 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 furniture and furnishings?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for furniture and furnishings:
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) and equipment?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for Information Technology (IT) and equipment:
Bowdoin's IT department purchasing policy states that the College will only purchase EPEAT Gold and Silver rated computers unless there is a specific need for specialized equipment that has no EPEAT certified option. Bowdoin will 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/sustainability-purchasing-guidelines_2024.pdf
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:
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 twenty-four 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/sustainability-purchasing-guidelines_2024.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 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 service providers?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional service providers:
Bowdoin encourages faculty and staff to use provided resources to find diverse vendors capable of supplying goods and services. Bowdoin believes that a diverse supplier pool will offer new opportunities to businesses while reducing costs and improving outcomes for the College. A diverse supplier is classified as any business whose majority owner and operator (one or more individuals, in one or more of the following categories), own and operate 51 percent or more of that business. The categories are as follows: Women-owned businesses (WBE) Minority-owned businesses (MBE) Veteran-owned businesses LGBTQ-owned businesses Businesses owned by individuals with a disability https://www.bowdoin.edu/finance/procurement/supplier-diversity.html
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:
Bowdoin Vehicle Purchasing:
All Bowdoin vehicles, regardless of department that will be utilizing the vehicle (e.g. security, dining, mail services), are purchased through the Bowdoin facilities management department. The department’s vehicle purchasing policy is guided by the College’s goal to be fossil fuel free by 2042 and to be utilizing all electric vehicles by 2027 and all electric grounds equipment by 2030. To achieve these goals, Bowdoin policy is to ensure when new vehicles are purchased, they must be replaced with (first choice) all electric vehicles, (second choice) hybrid-electric vehicles, (3rd choice, when no electric or hybrid electric vehicles are available) internal combustion engine vehicles. This 3rd choice option is applicable for extenuating circumstances when an electric or hybrid vehicle may not yet be compatible with projected applications, for example, winter plow trucks. As technology advances this will be continually reassessed. Approval to purchase a non-electric or non-hybrid vehicle must be approved by the Associate Vice President for Facilities and Capital Projects.
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:
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.