| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 68.19 |
| Liaison | Ian Johnson |
| Submission Date | July 14, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Colorado College
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 3.00 |
Don
Davidson Director of Purchasing/Finance and Admin Finance and Admin |
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:
In terms of employee wages, the college’s three biggest contracts (with Sodexo, Bon Appetit and Nebraska Books) require that the companies provide a living wage, currently $11.04, for all employees who provide services under the contract. In terms of environmental standards, the facilities department Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines state aims to “reward vendors who reduce environmental impacts in their production and distribution systems or services,” “create a model for successfully purchasing environmentally preferable products that encourages other purchasers in our community to adopt similar goals,” “stimulate demand for ‘environmentally friendly’ products by educating manufacturers and suppliers about the college’s expectations of environmental performance in products,” and “educate ourselves, our vendors, and our end users.”
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:
The college’s Design Guidelines specify that “energy conservation must be given special consideration in the design of new or remodeled College buildings. Colorado College requires a life cycle cost analysis, where appropriate, on major components of new facilities and renovation projects.” In addition, the facilities department guidelines state that “opportunities for achieving energy and water use reductions should be identified by design and engineering professionals in every construction or renovation project and considered for implementation based on life cycle cost savings, impact on reaching carbon neutrality, and the importance of demonstrating social responsibility by supporting the college core values and taking a leadership role in nurturing the ethic of environmental sustainability.” Preferences are communicated throughout campus, but CC operates in a decentralized fashion such that some freedoms and options are open across campus purchases.
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:
Colorado College custodial services contractor, Sodexo Environmental Services is Green SealCertified, practicing Green Seal Standards for cleaning methods and using Green Seal
products for cleaning. All effective green cleaning programs are built on using best green
cleaning practices along with effective product, equipment and green cleaning methods.
Sustainable Operations and Maintenance Guidelines Manual:
https://www.coloradocollege.edu/offices/facilities/energy-management/Colorado%20College%20Sustainable%20OM%20Guidelines%20Manual%20Rev%20%2012-4-15%204.6.16.pdf
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:
Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines and the Facilities Design manual have specific language regarding sustainability criteria for construction and renovation.
Facility Design Guidelines Manual:
https://www.coloradocollege.edu/offices/facilities/plan-design-ops-maint/Facility%20Design%20Guidelines%20Manual,%20Rev.%203-16-17.1.pdf
Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines:
https://www.coloradocollege.edu/offices/facilities/Colorado%20College%20Facility%20Sustainable%20Purchasing%20Guidelines,%20Rev.%2012-21-16.pdf
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:
-Purchase Energy Star rated equipment and specifies that energy saving features
is enabled as the default factory setting.
-Centralize and share appliances such as refrigerators, copiers, printers, and
faxes.
-Recycling of old computers and electronic appliances.
Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines:
https://www.coloradocollege.edu/offices/facilities/Colorado%20College%20Facility%20Sustainable%20Purchasing%20Guidelines,%20Rev.%2012-21-16.pdf
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:
Colorado College works closely with Bon Appetit, our food service provider, to provide local, delicious, healthy meals for our students, faculty, and staff, and the community at-large. Bon Appetit has been a committed partner in working towards a more sustainable campus at Colorado College. The food service provider exclusively serves cage-free eggs, rGBH-free milk, seafood that meets Seafood Watch sustainability guidelines, humanely raised ground beef, and pork raised without gestation crates. In addition to working closely with local farms and producers to increase the amount of “Real Food”, Bon Appetit also largely funds the EcoFund program administered through the Office of Sustainability, which provides grants for student projects that further sustainability across campus.
http://coloradocollege.cafebonappetit.com/catering/
http://www.bamco.com/sourcing/
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:
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:
Request for Proposals :
Include sustainability language and specifications environmentally preferable
products and services into documented purchasing processes. By including such
criteria, vendors will be required to accommodate these needs in an agreed
manner. Creation of a general clause that is included in all agreements, and
incorporating the appropriate language as needed on a commodity-by-commodity
basis may increase the flow of sustainable products to the CC Campus
Green purchasing concepts shall be integrated into architectural designs, final
construction documents, and the final construction of all college buildings and
renovations of property or facilities owned by the college. All buildings and
renovations undertaken by the college shall follow green building practices for
design, construction, and operations, where appropriate, as described in the LEED
Rating System.
Facility Design Guidelines Manual:
https://www.coloradocollege.edu/offices/facilities/plan-design-ops-maint/Facility%20Design%20Guidelines%20Manual,%20Rev.%203-16-17.1.pdf
Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines:
https://www.coloradocollege.edu/offices/facilities/Colorado%20College%20Facility%20Sustainable%20Purchasing%20Guidelines,%20Rev.%2012-21-16.pdf
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:
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:
-Eliminate virgin paper by purchasing only recycled content paper when possible
-Print and copy double-sided to decrease paper use when practicable.
-Purchase recycled content paper goods (i.e., file folders)
-Ensure that all wood and wood contained within the products that the college
purchases is certified to be sustainably harvested by a comprehensive,
performance-based certification system.
-Purchase or use of previously used or salvaged wood and wood products is
encouraged.
-Request that the furniture can be fully recycled at the end of its useful life.
-Request sustainable fabrics for modular systems and chairs. Some of these
fabrics include recycled content and are designed to be biodegradable after their
useful life.
-Specify products that are made from materials containing the maximum amount
of post-consumer and post-industrial recycled content.
-Require vendors and installers to provide a recycling or recovery service for the
responsible reuse, remanufacture, or recycling of old furniture.
Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines:
https://www.coloradocollege.edu/offices/facilities/Colorado%20College%20Facility%20Sustainable%20Purchasing%20Guidelines,%20Rev.%2012-21-16.pdf
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:
When possible, Colorado College considers environmental impact in purchasing decisions. The use of products and services with less environmental impact will be considered favorably when it is a best-value decision to do so. Factors included in the decision are: energy efficiency; shipping materials (returnable, reusable, or made from recycled content); and environmental performance of the supplier/producer (waste prevention, waste reduction, pollution prevention, clean air/water programs, and other initiatives). Colorado College's preference is to purchase EPEAT Gold registered products whenever possible and asks that vendors quote EPEAT Gold registered electronics whenever possible.
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:
Sustainable Operations and Maintenance Manual:
https://www.coloradocollege.edu/offices/facilities/energy-management/Colorado%20College%20Sustainable%20OM%20Guidelines%20Manual%20Rev%20%2012-4-15%204.6.16.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.