| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 83.20 |
| Liaison | Maddie LoDico |
| Submission Date | Nov. 5, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Colby College
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.50 / 3.00 |
Matthew
Mulcahy Senior Director of Operations Facilities Services |
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:
The Assistant Director of Administrative Financial Services works with preferred vendors on a case-by-case basis to ensure they have more sustainable products and services for the College. Additionally, all of Colby's vendors are required to follow OSHA guidelines and reporting. Environmental or sustainability initiative discussions have occurred with 12 out of the 13 preferred vendors in order to lessen the environmental impact of the College's products and services.
In regards to wages, and other requirements of contractors, the College does not have an official policy governing their employee wage and working condition standards. All of the College's preferred vendors have long-standing relationships with the school and meet these requirements, but this is not a formal policy and we do not require reporting in these areas.
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:
Life-Cycle Costing (LCC) is used in new construction/major renovation, commercial interior/fit out projects, and in energy modeling. When making design recommendations to the College, the design team will use life-cycle costing (LCC) in order to evaluate the full cost of ownership of the design alternatives. The LCC analysis will quantify the 20 year impacts of greenhouse gases, energy costs, and maintenance implications of design options. The scope of LCC will vary from project to project, but will typically focus on envelope, HVAC, water, electrical or other building systems. Project Teams will identify those options to undergo evaluation as part of the integrated design charette. The College will provide an updated version of utility rates and assumptions to be used in the lifecycle costing exercise.
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:
The following products have been approved for use based upon meeting the Product Performance Level Standards of Green Seal Standard GS-37 or California Code of Regulations, Title 17, Section 94509: G-Force All-Purpose & Glass Cleaner, Look Non-Ammoniated Glass cleaner, Morning Mist, Raindance Neutral Cleaner. Products must not contain the following ingredients: alkylphenol ethoxylates, dibutyl phthalate, heavy metals (arsenic, lead, cadmium, cobalt, chromium, mercury, nickel or selenium), and ozone depleting compounds.
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:
At a minimum, project sustainability discussions shall include but are not limited to materials selection for facility, fixtures, furniture and equipment as appropriate for the scope of the project. Colby purchases VOC-free paint.
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:
Colby College commits to purchasing EPEAT (electronic product environmental assessment tool) rated computers and monitors for all campus workstations that have general operating and performance requirements. In fiscal 2017, 98.6% of Colby's computer purchases complied with EPEAT standards. Moving forward, computer and monitor purchases will be reviewed on an annual basis in order to ensure the College's purchases continue to comply with EPEAT's strict environmental standards. This is per a 2013 EPEAT purchasing policy.
IT guidelines specify that energy saving features and duplex printing are enabled as the default factory setting. Campus policies centralize and share copiers and printers. ITS is the designated location for recycling old computers and electronic devices.
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:
In 2016, Colby conducted a competitive RFP process for the dining services contract on campus. Sustainability criteria were a key part of the request for proposals, including:
The Food Service Management Company (FSMC) shall provide:
-Bio degradable disposables wherever reusable service is not appropriate with a composting plan in place for their disposal.
-All fish served must be rated “Best Choices” by the Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch.
-Utilize a College approved Homeless Shelter or Food Bank to dispose of usable leftover food.
-Comply with all recycling programs currently in effect or any that may be required in the future.
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 Colby College Bookstore has a "Sweat Free!" policy which states: "We believe that any products bearing the COLBY name or logo should be manufactured with the same values and commitment to human and environmental rights that we have at Colby. We attempt to ensure that our manufacturers are doing this by requesting their corporate Code of Conduct at our Bookstore. We are also members of associations and buying groups that deal with the issue." Links for organizations working with these issues and code of conduct statements for some suppliers of collegiate merchandise are available on the Bookstore website http://colbybookstore.collegestoreonline.com/ePOS?form=shared3/gm/merch.html&cat=130&store=513&design=513
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:
When hiring architectural and engineering firms for capital projects, Facilities Services considers LEED credentials and sustainability experience. Additionally, the contract signed by all vendors on campus states that "Colby College is a carbon-neutral campus. The Contractor agrees to review the College’s ongoing energy and resource reduction priorities (below) and to strive to implement efforts to further those priorities."
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:
Colby Facilities replaces old vehicles with models of higher fuel efficiency and lower greenhouse gas emissions, using http://www.fueleconomy.gov/ as a reference. The Executive Vehicle Policy states preference for hybrid, electric, eco-diesel, or low emissions vehicles.
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 purchases only 100% post consumer content paper. Boise ASPEN 100 is FSC certified and 100% FDL (Fiber Diverter from Landfills).
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:
Facilities Services provides appliances for the apartment-style residences on campus. This includes refrigerators, ovens, and microwaves. In the new residence hall downtown the apartments are also equipped with a dishwasher and the faculty and staff apartments also have clothes washers and dryers. Clothes washers and dryers are provided in laundry rooms in all of the residence halls. All of these appliances are required to be Energy Star certified where eligible per the Facilities Services energy efficient appliance policy.
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.