Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 47.15
Liaison Sergio Alza
Submission Date Nov. 24, 2020

STARS v2.2

Brock University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 3.00 Elenore Breslow
Sustainability Coordinator
Facilities Management and Environmental Sustainability Research Centre
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Part 1. Institution-wide sustainable procurement policies

Does the institution have written policies, guidelines, or directives that seek to support sustainable purchasing across multiple commodity categories institution-wide?:
Yes

A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
The policies, guidelines or directives:
Sustainable and Ethical Procurement - Decisions regarding purchasing and the award of contracts will be made in an objective manner that takes into account that:

1) The University has a preference for environmentally friendly and socially responsible products and practices.
2) The University values partnerships with vendors and suppliers who are able to help create jobs and further economic development for economically and socially disadvantaged groups.
3) Cooperative purchasing of goods and services with other organizations who share similar objectives and values are welcome.

In making decisions on the purchase of goods and services, the University may consider:

(a) whole life cost;
(b) environmental impact;
(c) social factors, including the policies or Procurement Policy Page 7 of 21 practices of any supplier that affect freedom of association, payment of a living wage, non-discrimination on grounds protected by the Ontario Human Right Code, freedom from intimidation and the right to a safe and healthy working environment and the right to freely choose employment, regardless of whether or not that supplier is located inside or outside Ontario.

The University will also take steps to maintain its recognition as a national designated “Fair Trade Campus”

Part 2. Life Cycle Cost Analysis 

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?:
---

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

Part 3. Product-specific sustainability criteria

To count, the criteria must address the specific sustainability challenges and impacts associated with products and/or services in each category, e.g. by requiring or giving preference to multi-criteria sustainability standards, certifications and labels appropriate to the category. Broader, institution-wide policies should be reported in Part 1, above. 

Chemically intensive products and services

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating chemically intensive products and services?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:
No formal chemically intensive products and services purchasing policy is in place at Brock University. However, the University purchases Green Certified supplies and has a Green Housekeeping Site gold certification. When purchasing cleaning chemicals from suppliers, employees are instructed to purchase more concentrated chemicals to reduce the number of plastic bottles used. By purchasing chemicals at a higher concentration, they can be diluted on-site, and reduce unnecessary waste of plastics. The University is committed to reducing waste, and purchasing departments at Brock do consider environmental impacts of their purchases when the options are available and feasible.

Consumable office products

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating consumable office products?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for consumable office products:
---

Furniture and furnishings

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating furniture and furnishings?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for furniture and furnishings:
The Furniture Redeployment Program is available for Brock University employees to assist they have unwanted or a surplus of furniture. The program aims to promote reuse behaviour through the redistribution of used furniture instead of sending it to the landfill. The program arranges to re-deploy, donate, or at least recycle the furniture. Donations are made to the Habitat for Humanities and Warehouse of Hope.

Information Technology (IT) and equipment

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating Information technology (IT) and equipment?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for Information Technology (IT) and equipment:
---

Food service providers

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food service providers?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food service providers:
Below is an excerpt from a recent RFP for a new food service provider:

Sustainability – It is expected that the Food Services Provider engage in sustainability initiatives with Dining Services that is both innovative and proactive. The Food Service Provider will work with Brock to develop an annual sustainability plan. The Food Service Provider will make the best efforts and respond and partner with campus wide initiatives including Brock Student Union Initiatives:

In addition to the Food Service Providers sustainability initiatives the following targets are to be actioned.
- 93% waste diversion in Residence Dining Halls
- Work with suppliers to have a fully pulpable paper products include to go cups and containers or alternate programs
- Partner and purchase from the local community where possible

Garments and linens 

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:
---

Professional service providers

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating professional service providers?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional service providers:
Brock University’s Capital Planning & Project Management – Design Standards outline Procurement and Contracting Requirements, which includes the following:

Construction Waste Management:

1. Salvage, recycle and divert from landfill all construction waste generated from the Work based on the Brock University waste reduction targets. Identify significant generic types of products, work, or requirements that will achieve this goal. Develop Waste Reduction Plan and participate in Materials Source Separation Program.
2. Comply with the requirements of the latest edition of the Ontario Environmental Protection Act and Ontario Regulation 103/94 Industrial, Commercial and Institutional Source Separation Programs related to source separation (recycling) programs and waste audits and waste reduction work plans on construction sites.
3. Take active role in implementing environmentally sound business practices and producing goods and services that lessen burden on environment in production, use and final disposition. Support implementation of reduction, reuse and recycling strategies and use of environmentally sound products. Reduce or eliminate excessive packaging and promote use of environmentally responsible packaging practices.
4. Enter into agreements with local recycling companies and haulers for all anticipated recycled materials.

Stormwater Utilities - Stormwater management designs should be completed to achieve the following objectives:

1. Ensure that there is no increase in potential for flood damage.
2. Protect the natural geomorphic conditions of existing water courses.
3. Enhance water quality of stormwater prior to outletting to natural conveyance systems.
4. Protect groundwater and base flow systems.
5. Minimize impact on local and downstream aquatic habitats.

Transportation and fuels

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating transportation and fuels?:
No

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

Optional Fields 

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:
Design Standards: https://brocku.ca/facilities-management/wp-content/uploads/sites/84/DESIGN-STANDARDS.pdf

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.