Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 76.45
Liaison Ryan Ihrke
Submission Date Oct. 17, 2014
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.0

Green Mountain College
OP-12: Electronics Purchasing

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Paul Millette
Director
Library, IT Services & Learning Support Services
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Does the institution have an institution-wide stated preference to purchase computers and/or other electronic products that are EPEAT registered or meet similar multi-criteria sustainability standards for electronic products?:
Yes

A copy of the electronics purchasing policy, directive, or guidelines:
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The electronics purchasing policy, directive, or guidelines :

The College will endeavor to always purchase energy efficient appliances and CTS equipment that meets one or all of the specific standards of sustainability that are outlined below:
1. Appliances should meet EPA Energy Star requirements for eligible products.
2. Appliances should meet the gold standard for IEEE 1680 sustainability standards laid out by UL (also known as EPEAT) for eligible products such as desktops, laptops/notebooks, work stations, displays (computer monitors), televisions, printers, copiers, scanners, and multifunction devices (fax machines, copiers, fax/copier combinations).
In the case of CTS equipment in particular, the complexities of the technology marketplace and manufacturing environment have led to many unsustainable practices both environmentally and socially. GMC will continue to identify and work with technology companies whose current & future policies are in line with the sustainability mission of the College.
To further reduce impact and the need to purchase new equipment, CTS endeavors to maximize the lifespan of its equipment. This may be accomplished in two ways. First, CTS strives to purchase equipment with an expected lifespan of over five years, and aims to keep that equipment in service for at least that length of time. Second, for computers at the end of their useful life, usable parts will be taken out, refurbished, repaired, and reused if possible, while unusable parts will be processed as e-waste. This e-waste will go to a certified e-waste collector in New England, so that the material can be recycled.


A brief description of steps the institution has taken to ensure that the purchasing policy, directives, or guidelines are followed:

The CTS staff, including the director, were involved in creating the policy, so they are fully on board with striving to consistently meet the directives. The facilities (DTZ) director (DTZ) was involved in vetting the policy, so he is on board with striving to meet the directives for electronics that they may purchase. The director of sustainability reaches out directly to other departments when a major renovation or purchase is taking place to ensure that they are aware of the purchasing policy. He also presents the information periodically to the staff assembly.


Does the institution wish to pursue to pursue Part 2 of this credit (expenditures on EPEAT registered electronics)?:
Yes

Expenditures on EPEAT registered desktop and laptop computers, displays, thin clients, televisions, and imaging equipment::
Expenditure Per Level
EPEAT Bronze 0 US/Canadian $
EPEAT Silver 0 US/Canadian $
EPEAT Gold 63,633.78 US/Canadian $

Total expenditures on desktop and laptop computers, displays, thin clients, televisions, and imaging equipment:
63,633.78 US/Canadian $

The website URL where information about the institution's electronics purchasing policy, directive, or guidelines is available:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

The performance year for this credit is FY 2013.


The performance year for this credit is FY 2013.

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.