George Brown College
OP-16: Life Cycle Cost Analysis

Green Purchasing Policy I. Preamble: George Brown College is committed to reducing the environmental impacts of its operations and moving towards environmentally sustainable campus practices. As such, it recognizes that there are environmental impacts associated with the College’s purchasing decisions, including “upstream” impacts related to the extraction of natural resources, manufacturing, transportation and packaging, and “downstream” in the final disposal, recycling or re-use of products. II. Application: Provided that the pricing, quality and other criteria are the same, preference will be given to products / services that are proven to be environmentally preferable. When making purchasing decisions, a life-cycle cost analysis should also take into account factors such as operating and energy costs, maintenance, consumable supplies, disposal and recycling costs, when selecting products. III. Green Purchasing Definition Green Purchasing is the purchase of goods and services that are environmentally preferable. It includes the purchase of products that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with competing products that serve the same purpose. When determining whether a product is environmentally preferable all phases of a product’s life cycle will be considered, including raw materials acquisition, production, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, operation, maintenance, disposal, potential for reuse and ability to be recycled. IV. Environmental Attributes: The following environmental attributes are considered preferable: • Biodegradable/Compostable: The ability of a substance to decompose in the natural environment. • Chlorofluorocarbon (CFC)-free: CFC’s are compounds that contain carbon, chlorine, fluorine and have been used as refrigerants, cleaning solvents, aerosol propellants and in the manufacture of plastic foams. • Durable: As opposed to single use or disposable, a product that remains useful and usable for a long time without noticeable deterioration in performance. • Energy efficient: A product that is in the upper 25 percent of energy efficiency for all similar products. (See also Section V. Product Specific Green Recommendations regarding Energy Star appliances and equipment.) Heavy metal and persistent, bio-accumulative toxin (PBT)-free free: No lead, mercury, or cadmium content; no mercury, dioxins or PCBs (polychlorinated biphenyls). • Locally or regionally manufactured in order to reduce the environmental costs associated with shipping. • Low volatile organic compound (VOC) content: VOC’s are chemicals found in paints, adhesives, glues, textiles and furnishing materials that that readily evaporate and contribute to the formation of air pollution when released into the atmosphere. Many VOCs are classified as toxic and carcinogenic. (See also Section V. Product Specific Green Recommendations regarding Furniture.) • Made from recycled materials with a maximum of post-consumer content (by-products recovered or diverted from the solid waste stream). • Made from raw materials obtained in a sustainable, environmental sound manner. • Non-toxic, minimally toxic and carcinogen-free. • Recyclable: A product that after its intended end use can be diverted from the solid waste stream for use as a raw material in another product. • Reduced packaging • Upgradeable: The ability to increase a product’s performance or features without replacing the product. • Water efficient: A product that is in the upper 25 percent of water efficiency for all similar products