Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 67.08
Liaison Philip Mansfield
Submission Date March 4, 2022

STARS v2.2

Carleton University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 3.00 Philip Mansfield
Sustainability Manager
Facilities Management and Planning
"---" 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 multiple commodity categories institution-wide?:
Yes

A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
The policies, guidelines or directives:

The Environment and Sustainability Policy includes the following specific points with respect to procurement:
• Consider environmental impact when awarding contracts;
• Reduce the environmental impact of the university procurement processes where possible by maintaining Fairtrade status and supporting the purchase of more sustainable products and services from responsible contractors and suppliers; the university will look into environmental impact when awarding contracts on campus;

The Procurement Policy includes a section on Sustainable Procurement, as follows:
A disciplined approach to sustainable procurement depends on dedicated participants who consider the right balance of environmental, societal and economic considerations in each procurement activity. This requires a careful and thorough evaluation of procurement requirements while also exploring opportunities that are environmentally responsible and promote “healthy communities”.

Individuals participating in a university procurement will give appropriate consideration in the evaluation process to those goods, services and vendors that reflect a commitment to sustainability or a broader social responsibility, including but not limited to life-cycle costs, reusable or recycled goods, energy consumption in production and distribution, diverse vendors, and demonstrated community impact measurement.


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?:
Yes

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

Individuals participating in a university procurement will give appropriate consideration in the evaluation process to those goods, services and vendors that reflect a commitment to sustainability or a broader social responsibility, including but not limited to life-cycle costs, reusable or recycled goods, energy consumption in production and distribution, diverse vendors, and demonstrated community impact measurement.


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating consumable office products?:
Yes

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

The University has leveraged a collaborative agreement with OECM for paper and they published the following sustainability criteria:

Environmental Considerations:

OECM and its Clients are committed to reducing the carbon footprint. The Supplier should keep Clients informed about any environment-friendly Products, new technologies and/or green initiatives. The Supplier should, in consultation with OECM, make any environment-friendly Products, new technologies and/or green initiatives available to Clients as required.


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating furniture and furnishings?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for furniture and furnishings:

The Carleton University Design Guidelines are intended to highlight current policies, procedures, and design requirements of the University with respect to the design and construction of new and renovated facilities, this includes the purchasing of furniture, furnishings, flooring and paint.

These Guidelines are not intended to restrict the design and construction process, but are offered to commissioned Consultants, University personnel, and other parties associated with facility planning, to encourage better and more efficient facilities with a minimum of conflict and confusion as to specific University requirements.

The specific and relevant elements of the Guidelines are always incorporated in the final developed documents. Matters covered by the National Building Code, Ontario Building Code, and all other relevant Codes, as well as “good practice” shall also apply, even though not specifically discussed herein. Deviation from the requirements set out in these Guidelines will require the prior approval of the University.

Within the furniture standards and specifications, included in the Carleton design guidelines, are the current requirements for eco-friendly furniture and life cycle assessment, and vendor services towards recycling:

‘As Part of Carleton University’s sustainability strategy, the goal is to acquire furniture standards that are environmentally responsible going forward. This includes but is not limited to the following: life cycle assessment as it relates to cost management, durability guarantee, recycling of products and packaging and the ability to optimize the life cycle by reconfiguration, reuse and add components when required. Materials used for products contain no dangerous materials (lead, mercury, cadmium, and chromium, CFC, or HCFC in foam), or dangerous flame- retardants. Manufacturing must meet standards for Sustainable Forest Management (FSC certified) and exclude products that release volatile compounds that are detrimental to the indoor air quality. Transport involves reducing the packaging weight and volume to improve the transportation related energy consumption. Recyclable products and biodegradable products are preferred to support the sustainable end of life cycle.’


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating Information technology (IT) and equipment?:
Yes

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

Carleton includes specific criteria for IT and equipment to reflect a commitment to sustainability or a broader social responsibility, including but not limited to life-cycle costs, reusable or recycled goods, energy consumption, diverse vendors, and demonstrated community impact measurement.

Carleton has also specified within previous RFPs for the provision IT equipments (for example an RFP for desk top computers) that they needed to be EPEAT (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool) certified. (https://carleton.ca/sustainability/campus/goods-and-services/)

All Carleton IT purchases are managed through preferred suppliers. Working with preferred suppliers, provides superior value through competitive pricing, streamlined delivery cycles and efficient processing on a selection of standard configurations. To support the University’s Sustainability Plan and Procurement Policy, IT products reflect low energy consumption and end of life cycle. This includes the specific demand within the Desktop and Laptop Computer Equipment Policy, of ensuring the disposal is sent to an electronic equipment recycling business which is OES
(Ontario Electronic Stewardship) certified in Ontario or the equivalent in other provinces.


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:

As part of a contract for food service providers, the University gives appropriate consideration in the valuation process to Suppliers who demonstrate a commitment to sustainability. Consideration is given to the following:

• Waste Diversion
• Local sourcing & Fair Trade offerings, such as produce, products and services sourced from local social enterprise organizations, cooperatively owned producers, farmers and processors, produce and products sourced within Canada, produce grown and harvested using ecologically sound principles, Marine Stewardship Council certified seafood and fish; “Cage Free & Run Free” eggs and egg products
• A collaborative and comprehensive sustainability plan that address five key areas:
o Purchase and transport of food
o Preparation
o Disposal: Reduction and minimization of waste
o Innovation and Education
o Sustainable design


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating garments and linens?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for garments and linens:

The University has a Code of Conduct for Apparel Supplies & Trademark Licensees policy which sets out manufacturing standards of apparel which is to be sold or distributed by or on behalf of the University.

The standards are as follows:
• The International Labour Organization (ILO) has set forth conventions applicable to the production of items. At a minimum, all Suppliers, Licensees and Contractors shall comply with all conventions and declarations of the ILO
• Collective Bargaining and Freedom of Association
• Legal Compliance
• Ethical Principles
• Employment Standards with regards to and including, wages and benefits, regular working hours, overtime, piece rates, child labour, forced labour, health and safety, non-discrimination, harassment or abuse, environmental standard operations, pricing and timelines.


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:

Carleton has outlined in policy and gives due consideration in the RFP valuation process to those respondents who demonstrate a commitment to sustainability or a broader social responsibility, including but not limited to:
- the organizations approach to corporate social responsibility and sustainability,
- considering the environmental, social and economic impact throughout their corporate operations,
- service delivery addressing life-cycle costs,
- use of reusable or recycled goods,
- minimizing or offsetting energy consumption in production and distribution, and demonstrating community impact.
Carleton is interested in partnering with providers who share similar goals and ambitions.


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:
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Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable procurement program or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

Sandra Nelson
Director, Strategic Procurement
Carleton University


Sandra Nelson
Director, Strategic Procurement
Carleton University

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