Fleming College
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Campus planning projects and Facilities Management Projects include LCCA in steps of project processes. Capital costs and life cycle operational costs are compared to justify implementing sustainable technologies. Example: decision to standardize on the installation of LED lighting vs conventional lighting (higher capital cost but lower operational cost over the life cycle).

Ontario Public Sector RFPs are published documents, on both MERX https://www.merx.com/ and BIDDINGO https://www.biddingo.com/, below is an excerpt from our criteria, established by our Purchasing Department, specifically for selecting a cleaning services provider for a multi-year contract with the college. This RFP was published and the contract was awarded in early 2019. Request for Proposals No.: PRD18-21 Issued: Friday, February 1, 2019 Submission Deadline: Tuesday, March 5, 2019 – no later than 2:00:00pm local time A.12 Environmental Program The successful proponent will actively promote environmentally responsible practices in its operation, demonstrating its commitment to sustainability and employee values that align with the College’s sustainability goals, particularly with respect to waste diversion. It will keep the College informed about any environmentally-friendly products, new technologies and/or green initiatives. The successful proponent should, in consultation with the College, make any environmentally-friendly products, new technologies and/or green initiatives available to the College as required. The successful proponent’s environmental performance during the Term of the Agreement includes, but is not limited to, the following: • Environmental activities the successful proponent participates in (e.g. fair trade practices, recycled content, carbon footprint reduction); • The successful proponent’s communication strategies used with Clients that reinforce sustainability; • Applicable quality assurance program certificates the successful proponent possesses (e.g. ISO 14001, Occupational Health and Safety Management Systems Requirements); • Environmental initiatives and associated implementation timelines, as applicable; • Relevant social responsibility plan and/or initiatives with implementation timelines, as applicable; and, • Any environmental considerations such as increased energy savings, greenhouse gas reductions and donation programs. Active participation in working in partnership with the College on waste diversion solutions to reduce contamination of our waste streams (e.g. separation of liquids through separate disposal, additional blue bins as deemed necessary etc.) The successful proponent shall incorporate the following in the performance of the work: (a) A green cleaning program that is certified under one of the following: • Green Seal’s Environmental Standard for Commercial Cleaning Services (GS-42) • The International Sanitary Supply Associations (ISSA’s) Cleaning Industry Management Standard for Green Buildings (CIMIS-GB) • An equivalent third-party certification program approved by the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) (b) In an effort to reduce the amount of plastic garbage bags going to waste collection, where and when appropriate, the office garbage and recycling bins should be dumped rather than automatically replacing the plastic bags; (c) Guarantee to not dispose of garbage\recycling put aside and labelled for waste audits, approved by Office of Sustainability, from time to time; (d) Use of 100% post consumer paper products - toilet paper and paper towels; (e) Cooperate with the Office of Sustainability and Sustainability Waste Program for pilot projects and routine campus waste audits of all buildings and service areas. The College has a Sustainability Plan with targets regarding waste reduction and waste diversion. To this end, the College is working on solutions to ensure that the organics stream is no more than .5% contaminated with other items. This may lead to the implementation of composters, such as an onsite in-vessel composting solution (e.g. A900 Rocket Composter), at each campus, which will require some pre-sorting of the organics. The College expects that the successful proponent will work with the College on this – plan specifics pending. Taking organics to a central system (totes in a central location) from the four/three-stream bins around the college is likely the minimum requirement. Should the College go with an internal solution (i.e on-site composter), there would be an additional need to feed a macerator and the material is fed to the in-vessel composter with a one to one ratio of wood chips. Extra labour may be required and will be negotiated accordingly. GDI-Omni Facility Services Canada Limited embarked on an intensive process of implementing systems and processes which comply with the internationally recognized Environmental Management Systems standard ISO 14001:2004, Omni Facility Services Canada Limited GTA Branch underwent a certification audit late in December 2007 and was certified early in January 2008. An Environmental Management System goes well beyond green cleaning, using green chemicals or being a part of green-certified buildings. As part of this, an ongoing process is in place to rationalize the chemicals towards all green. All chemicals are reviewed and switched to an independently green alternative where one exists. This is an ongoing process with the objective of switching to an entirely green product and equipment range. OMNI works with key vendors to develop green solutions.

Fleming purchases electronics through OECM. All computer purchases meet environmentally sustainable criteria and are run through the EPEAT scan prior to purchase and are required to meet either Silver or Gold status. The Fleming Purchasing Department works in conjunction with the IT Director, to ensure that all desktop and laptop computer specifications are evaluated prior to purchase, using the EPEAT website. We also ensure that all PC equipment is responsibly recycled at end of life through certified environmental recyclers or through Dell's certified recycling service. Useful PC's are donated or sold where applicable.

Ontario Public Sector RFPs have been published documents, on both MERX https://www.merx.com/ and BIDDINGO https://www.biddingo.com/, below is an excerpt from our criteria, established by our Purchasing Department, specifically for selecting a food services provider for the college. Supplier Environmental Record:  1. What is the company's record with respect to environmental concerns and events?  2. Does the manufacturer/supplier have a company environmental policy statement?  3. Is the company equipped to conduct business electronically (including invoices, bids, etc.)?

In 2006, Fleming Purchasing Department implemented procurement specifications for 100% recycled content paper for all photocopiers and printers and we obtained approval from the President to pay a premium price to do so. We have pricing agreements in place for Rolland Enviro100 paper. In limited cases, where specialty papers and coloured papers are required, we purchase the highest recycled content possible given the technology available. In 2010, 88% of all paper purchased by Fleming was 100% recycled content. Note: when the Ontario Collaborative Education Marketplace (OECM) went out for RFP in 2009, Fleming was the only participating educational institute whose specifications required 100% recycled content on copier and printer paper. These provisions are still in place in 2019.

Detailed description of Aramark Sustainability: https://www.aramark.com/en/about-us/corporate-responsibility/environmental-sustainability