George Washington University
SD-11: Procurement

ENERGY STAR appliances: The university is purchasing Energy Star-rated products where available. For example, GW's Procurement team only recommends to end users Energy Star appliances (this does not include specialized lab equipment or commercial kitchen appliances). Additionally, new residential buildings are specified with Energy Star appliances such as dishwashers, laundry washers, and refrigerators. GW is committed to buying computer equipment with an Energy Star rating. This applies to both GW's data center and computing labs. Additionally, GW recommends that students purchase personal computers which have an Energy Star rating. Efforts are underway to develop and implement a tracking system for Energy Star purchases. EPEAT: GW does not have a policy to only purchase computer devices with an EPEAT standard, but in practice over 95% of the machines we have purchased are models listed as EPEAT gold level. For non-computer devices, Energy Star rated items are suggested and purchased in virtually all conditions. FSC paper: The recycled paper that GW divisions and departments purchase does come with the FSC certification. Although GW has a centralized purchasing application, there are options to make purchases outside of this system. Given this, GW does not have complete accuracy regarding percentage of expenditures. However, within the centralized procurement tool, of a total adjusted gross sales for 2011 of $1,085, 929.80, $74,261.06 was spent of FSC paper. Therefore, 6.84% represents the approximate percentage of expenditures on FSC certified paper. Packaging Policy: GW has a few contracts that minimize packaging waste - these contracts are large cooperative contracts that have as part of their terms and conditions, the requirement to reduce packaging waste. Office supply deliveries are made via UPS, leveraging existing deliveries already being made on campus for all other items arriving via UPS. Please see additional information about GW's work in developing a sustainable procurement policy in early sections of this survey.