Overall Rating Silver
Overall Score 53.57
Liaison Noah Upchurch
Submission Date March 3, 2023

STARS v2.2

Catawba College
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.25 / 3.00 Noah Upchurch
Senior Sustainability Specialist
Center for the Environment
"---" 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?:
No

A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
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The policies, guidelines or directives:
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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?:
No

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

From Catawba College's Agreement with DLR Group on Sustainable Furnishings and Furniture:

"The Sustainability story at Catawba College compliments the DLR Group Sustainable and Healthy Initiatives. At DLR Group, we too 'believe that the small actions taken by each one of us day after day add up to make a big difference' (from Catawba’s Sustainability Page). Building systems such as high performing envelope materials, efficient HVAC, LED lighting and the implementation of alternative energy sources help to make buildings sustainable, long lasting and result in higher ROI. Interior finish materials also have an environmental impact.

Along with the pledge to source sustainable, environmentally friendly, or even environmentally positive materials, DLR Group has signed the AIA Healthy Materials Pledge. This pledge challenges firms to specify products that have a positive impact on human health, climate health, the economy, our ecosystem and promote social heath and equity.

The Catawba College Interior Standards will stay true to our joint sustainability story and begin to introduce healthy materials to the campus. Through verified documentation such as Environmental Product Declarations (EPDs) and Health Product Declarations (HPDs) we can keep track with these efforts and educate end users on the impact of a building on the environment, economy and equity.
Within the specified products for the Interior Standards, DLR Group has worked with Catawba College to identify manufacturers that share these values and would be good long-term partners. For example, Interface has a carbon neutral and carbon positive carpet tile. Duracryl is a manufacturer of liquid linoleum which is a non-toxic alternative to poured epoxy flooring. OFS Brands furniture source their wood veneers from their own maintained forest and replenish the forest from this harvest as well as a carbon offset from their travel.

There are many unique and inspiring stories like this that have helped to curate a palette of aesthetically unique, sustainable, healthy and brand positive finishes as well as a variety of furniture pairings."


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:
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Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food service providers?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food service providers:
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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:
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Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating professional service providers?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional service providers:
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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:
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