| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 72.32 |
| Liaison | Merry Rankin |
| Submission Date | Aug. 29, 2022 |
Iowa State University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.50 / 3.00 |
Cory
Harms Director of Procurement Procurement Services |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Does the institution have written policies, guidelines, or directives that seek to support sustainable purchasing across multiple commodity categories institution-wide?:
Yes
A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
The policies, guidelines or directives:
13. SUSTAINABILITY AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY
13.1 Environmentally Preferable Procurement Guidelines
Recognizing our impact as a significant purchaser of goods and services, Iowa State University’s goal is to give preference to environmentally friendly products whose sustainability, functionality and quality are equal or superior to more traditional products and whose cost is equal or less. This policy will:
•Conserve natural resources
•Minimize pollution
•Reduce the use of water and energy
•Reduce or eliminate environmental health hazards on our campus and in our community
•Support markets for recycled content products
•Reduce materials sent to landfills
•Increase the use and availability of environmentally preferable products
•Encourage suppliers to reduce environmental impacts within the supply chain
•Create a model for successfully purchasing environmentally preferable products while maintaining fiscal responsibility, quality, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations
•Support locally produced goods and services
•Educate ourselves, suppliers, and campus community
13.2 Recycled Content
As stated in Iowa law and Executive Orders:
•Iowa State University shall purchase and use recycled printing and writing paper for 90% of total use. In total 100% of rough tissue products shall be recycled product (i.e. hand towels, toilet paper, etc.).
•Information on recycled content shall be requested on all bids for paper products and on other products which could have recycled content such as oil, plastic products, including but not limited to starch-based plastic products, compost materials, aggregate, solvents, soybean-based inks, and rubber products.
13.3 Energy Savings
Recognizing that electricity generation is a major contributor to air pollution and global warming issues, and clean water is a finite resource; the University values products that minimize the use of these resources. Procurement activity shall support University efforts to reduce the use of electricity, natural gas, fuel oil and water in all state office buildings and may include:
•Energy-efficient equipment and lighting.
•Products for which the U.S. EPA Energy Star certification is available or equivalent non-certified products.
•Support LEED silver construction goals.
•EPEAT certified computer products
13.4 Toxins and Pollutants
The use of toxics and the generation of pollution should be minimized to reduce risks to health, safety, and the environment. Procurement activity shall include:
•The purchase of degradable disposable plastic products to the maximum extent practicable when those products are determined to be reasonably available, cost and quality competitive.
•The purchase of products covered by Executive Orders to include: trash liners with recycled content; degradable foam or plastic products for containers unless recycled or reused.
•Restricting the purchase of foam products manufactured with chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) and phase out of chlorofluorocarbon-containing refrigerants, solvents and similar products.
•The purchase of soybean-based inks for printing services.
•The purchase of environmentally preferable cleaning products, when practicable, but without reducing quality, safety, and cost effectiveness.
•Identifying and using products with lowest amounts of volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, lead or mercury.
•Providing for recycling of products containing toxic materials such as fluorescent lamps, ballasts, lead acid batteries, waste oil, electronics, etc.
13.5 Waste Minimization
The University recognizes the importance of waste minimization in being a good steward of the environment. Iowa State University collaborates with the City of Ames to minimize waste in the community. A strong recycling program is in place at the university and any waste not recycled is disposed of at the City’s Resource Recovery Plant where recyclable materials are separated and other waste is used for creating electricity in the City’s Power Plant.
13.6 Supplier Code of Conduct
The University strives to manage its business in a sustainable and responsible way. We seek to do business with Suppliers who share our concerns for and commitment to sustainable business practices. Suppliers shall meet all applicable environmental rules, regulations and laws in the countries where they do business and shall consistently look for new and better ways to conserve resources, reduce pollution and waste, and enhance the communities in which they operate.
13.1 Environmentally Preferable Procurement Guidelines
Recognizing our impact as a significant purchaser of goods and services, Iowa State University’s goal is to give preference to environmentally friendly products whose sustainability, functionality and quality are equal or superior to more traditional products and whose cost is equal or less. This policy will:
•Conserve natural resources
•Minimize pollution
•Reduce the use of water and energy
•Reduce or eliminate environmental health hazards on our campus and in our community
•Support markets for recycled content products
•Reduce materials sent to landfills
•Increase the use and availability of environmentally preferable products
•Encourage suppliers to reduce environmental impacts within the supply chain
•Create a model for successfully purchasing environmentally preferable products while maintaining fiscal responsibility, quality, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations
•Support locally produced goods and services
•Educate ourselves, suppliers, and campus community
13.2 Recycled Content
As stated in Iowa law and Executive Orders:
•Iowa State University shall purchase and use recycled printing and writing paper for 90% of total use. In total 100% of rough tissue products shall be recycled product (i.e. hand towels, toilet paper, etc.).
•Information on recycled content shall be requested on all bids for paper products and on other products which could have recycled content such as oil, plastic products, including but not limited to starch-based plastic products, compost materials, aggregate, solvents, soybean-based inks, and rubber products.
13.3 Energy Savings
Recognizing that electricity generation is a major contributor to air pollution and global warming issues, and clean water is a finite resource; the University values products that minimize the use of these resources. Procurement activity shall support University efforts to reduce the use of electricity, natural gas, fuel oil and water in all state office buildings and may include:
•Energy-efficient equipment and lighting.
•Products for which the U.S. EPA Energy Star certification is available or equivalent non-certified products.
•Support LEED silver construction goals.
•EPEAT certified computer products
13.4 Toxins and Pollutants
The use of toxics and the generation of pollution should be minimized to reduce risks to health, safety, and the environment. Procurement activity shall include:
•The purchase of degradable disposable plastic products to the maximum extent practicable when those products are determined to be reasonably available, cost and quality competitive.
•The purchase of products covered by Executive Orders to include: trash liners with recycled content; degradable foam or plastic products for containers unless recycled or reused.
•Restricting the purchase of foam products manufactured with chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) and phase out of chlorofluorocarbon-containing refrigerants, solvents and similar products.
•The purchase of soybean-based inks for printing services.
•The purchase of environmentally preferable cleaning products, when practicable, but without reducing quality, safety, and cost effectiveness.
•Identifying and using products with lowest amounts of volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, lead or mercury.
•Providing for recycling of products containing toxic materials such as fluorescent lamps, ballasts, lead acid batteries, waste oil, electronics, etc.
13.5 Waste Minimization
The University recognizes the importance of waste minimization in being a good steward of the environment. Iowa State University collaborates with the City of Ames to minimize waste in the community. A strong recycling program is in place at the university and any waste not recycled is disposed of at the City’s Resource Recovery Plant where recyclable materials are separated and other waste is used for creating electricity in the City’s Power Plant.
13.6 Supplier Code of Conduct
The University strives to manage its business in a sustainable and responsible way. We seek to do business with Suppliers who share our concerns for and commitment to sustainable business practices. Suppliers shall meet all applicable environmental rules, regulations and laws in the countries where they do business and shall consistently look for new and better ways to conserve resources, reduce pollution and waste, and enhance the communities in which they operate.
Does the institution employ Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) when evaluating energy- and water-using products and systems?:
Yes
Which of the following best describes the institution’s use of LCCA?:
Institution employs LCCA less comprehensively, e.g. for certain types of systems or projects and not others
A brief description of the LCCA policy and/or practices:
Consider short-term and long-term costs when comparing product alternatives. Evaluate total costs expected during the time a product is owned, including, but not limited to: acquisition, extended warranties, operation, supplies, maintenance, support, disposal costs, trade-in value, and expected lifetime compared to other alternatives.
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating chemically intensive products and services?:
Yes
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:
13.4 Toxins and Pollutants
The use of toxics and the generation of pollution should be minimized to reduce risks to health, safety, and the environment. Procurement activity shall include:
•The purchase of degradable disposable plastic products to the maximum extent practicable when those products are determined to be reasonably available, cost and quality competitive.
•The purchase of products covered by Executive Orders to include: trash liners with recycled content; degradable foam or plastic products for containers unless recycled or reused.
•Restricting the purchase of foam products manufactured with chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) and phase out of chlorofluorocarbon-containing refrigerants, solvents and similar products.
•The purchase of soybean-based inks for printing services.
•The purchase of environmentally preferable cleaning products, when practicable, but without reducing quality, safety, and cost effectiveness.
•Identifying and using products with lowest amounts of volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, lead or mercury.
•Providing for recycling of products containing toxic materials such as fluorescent lamps, ballasts, lead acid batteries, waste oil, electronics, etc.
13.6 Supplier Code of Conduct
The University strives to manage its business in a sustainable and responsible way. We seek to do business with Suppliers who share our concerns for and commitment to sustainable business practices. Suppliers shall meet all applicable environmental rules, regulations and laws in the countries where they do business and shall consistently look for new and better ways to conserve resources, reduce pollution and waste, and enhance the communities in which they operate.
The use of toxics and the generation of pollution should be minimized to reduce risks to health, safety, and the environment. Procurement activity shall include:
•The purchase of degradable disposable plastic products to the maximum extent practicable when those products are determined to be reasonably available, cost and quality competitive.
•The purchase of products covered by Executive Orders to include: trash liners with recycled content; degradable foam or plastic products for containers unless recycled or reused.
•Restricting the purchase of foam products manufactured with chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) and phase out of chlorofluorocarbon-containing refrigerants, solvents and similar products.
•The purchase of soybean-based inks for printing services.
•The purchase of environmentally preferable cleaning products, when practicable, but without reducing quality, safety, and cost effectiveness.
•Identifying and using products with lowest amounts of volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, lead or mercury.
•Providing for recycling of products containing toxic materials such as fluorescent lamps, ballasts, lead acid batteries, waste oil, electronics, etc.
13.6 Supplier Code of Conduct
The University strives to manage its business in a sustainable and responsible way. We seek to do business with Suppliers who share our concerns for and commitment to sustainable business practices. Suppliers shall meet all applicable environmental rules, regulations and laws in the countries where they do business and shall consistently look for new and better ways to conserve resources, reduce pollution and waste, and enhance the communities in which they operate.
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating consumable office products?:
Yes
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for consumable office products:
The University recognizes that recycled content products are important to an environmentally responsible production system. Procurement activity may include:
- Products addressed in Iowa laws and Executive Orders - Iowa State University shall purchase and use recycled printing and writing paper for 90% of total use. 100% of their tissue products shall be recycled product.
- Requiring information on recycled content shall be requested on all bids for paper products and on other products which could have recycled content such as oil, plastic products, including not limited to starch-based plastic products, compost materials, aggregate, solvents, soybean-based inks, and rubber products.
- Identifying and purchasing other recycled content products and packaging whenever practicable, but without reducing quality or effectiveness.
The use of environmentally preferable paper and wood products to conserve forests, water, and energy, prevents pollution and helps to protect biodiversity. Procurement activity may include:
- Giving preference to wood products that are certified to be sustainably harvested by a comprehensive, performance-based certification system similar to that of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification and Sustainable Forestry Initiative (FSI), whenever practical, but without reducing quality, safety, and cost-effectiveness.
- Purchasing locally harvested/extracted and processed wood, whenever practical, but without reducing quality, safety, and cost-effectiveness.
https://www.procurement.iastate.edu/additional-resources/green/guidelines
- Products addressed in Iowa laws and Executive Orders - Iowa State University shall purchase and use recycled printing and writing paper for 90% of total use. 100% of their tissue products shall be recycled product.
- Requiring information on recycled content shall be requested on all bids for paper products and on other products which could have recycled content such as oil, plastic products, including not limited to starch-based plastic products, compost materials, aggregate, solvents, soybean-based inks, and rubber products.
- Identifying and purchasing other recycled content products and packaging whenever practicable, but without reducing quality or effectiveness.
The use of environmentally preferable paper and wood products to conserve forests, water, and energy, prevents pollution and helps to protect biodiversity. Procurement activity may include:
- Giving preference to wood products that are certified to be sustainably harvested by a comprehensive, performance-based certification system similar to that of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification and Sustainable Forestry Initiative (FSI), whenever practical, but without reducing quality, safety, and cost-effectiveness.
- Purchasing locally harvested/extracted and processed wood, whenever practical, but without reducing quality, safety, and cost-effectiveness.
https://www.procurement.iastate.edu/additional-resources/green/guidelines
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating furniture and furnishings?:
No
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for furniture and furnishings:
---
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating Information technology (IT) and equipment?:
Yes
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for Information Technology (IT) and equipment:
13.3 Energy Savings
Recognizing that electricity generation is a major contributor to air pollution and global warming issues, and clean water is a finite resource; the University values products that minimize the use of these resources. Procurement activity shall support University efforts to reduce the use of electricity, natural gas, fuel oil and water in all state office buildings and may include:
• EPEAT certified computer products
13.4 Toxins and Pollutants
The use of toxics and the generation of pollution should be minimized to reduce risks to health, safety, and the environment. Procurement activity shall include:
•The purchase of soybean-based inks for printing services.
•Identifying and using products with lowest amounts of volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, lead or mercury.
•Providing for recycling of products containing toxic materials such as fluorescent lamps, ballasts, lead acid batteries, waste oil, electronics, etc.
13.6 Supplier Code of Conduct
The University strives to manage its business in a sustainable and responsible way. We seek to do business with Suppliers who share our concerns for and commitment to sustainable business practices. Suppliers shall meet all applicable environmental rules, regulations and laws in the countries where they do business and shall consistently look for new and better ways to conserve resources, reduce pollution and waste, and enhance the communities in which they operate.
https://www.procurement.iastate.edu/additional-resources/green/products
Recognizing that electricity generation is a major contributor to air pollution and global warming issues, and clean water is a finite resource; the University values products that minimize the use of these resources. Procurement activity shall support University efforts to reduce the use of electricity, natural gas, fuel oil and water in all state office buildings and may include:
• EPEAT certified computer products
13.4 Toxins and Pollutants
The use of toxics and the generation of pollution should be minimized to reduce risks to health, safety, and the environment. Procurement activity shall include:
•The purchase of soybean-based inks for printing services.
•Identifying and using products with lowest amounts of volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, lead or mercury.
•Providing for recycling of products containing toxic materials such as fluorescent lamps, ballasts, lead acid batteries, waste oil, electronics, etc.
13.6 Supplier Code of Conduct
The University strives to manage its business in a sustainable and responsible way. We seek to do business with Suppliers who share our concerns for and commitment to sustainable business practices. Suppliers shall meet all applicable environmental rules, regulations and laws in the countries where they do business and shall consistently look for new and better ways to conserve resources, reduce pollution and waste, and enhance the communities in which they operate.
https://www.procurement.iastate.edu/additional-resources/green/products
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food service providers?:
No
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food service providers:
---
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating garments and linens?:
Yes
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for garments and linens:
Iowa State University trademark licensees are expected to adhere to the following standards in manufacturing of, contracting for, and procuring of goods that will bear the trademarks of Iowa State University:
-Assure that Trademarked Goods are produced under humane and reasonably safe working conditions for employees. At a minimum, Licensees and their manufacturers and suppliers should comply with their countries' laws regarding labor conditions, wages, benefits, and child labor by Licensees, their manufacturers and suppliers.
- Licensees, manufacturers and suppliers are expected to produce licensed goods in an environmentally responsible manner. At a minimum they should comply with their countries' environmental and safety regulations in conducting their business.
-Assure that Trademarked Goods are produced under humane and reasonably safe working conditions for employees. At a minimum, Licensees and their manufacturers and suppliers should comply with their countries' laws regarding labor conditions, wages, benefits, and child labor by Licensees, their manufacturers and suppliers.
- Licensees, manufacturers and suppliers are expected to produce licensed goods in an environmentally responsible manner. At a minimum they should comply with their countries' environmental and safety regulations in conducting their business.
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating professional service providers?:
Yes
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional service providers:
Departmental Procurement Procedures specifically addresses Iowa State's preference for:
- Certified Iowa Targeted Small Businesses (TSB’s)
- Federal Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDB’s
- Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB’s)
- Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB’s)
- Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (SDVOSB’s)
- Federal Disadvantaged Businesses to include Minority-Owned Business Enterprises (MBE’s)
- Women-Owned Business Enterprises (WBE’s)
All design professionals working on the ISU campus must adhere to the ISU Facilities Design Manual (http://www.fpm.iastate.edu/planning/projects/apguestlogin_to_FDM.asp)
All new construction and major renovations are required to achieve LEED Silver as a minimum per Board of Regents Sustainability Guidelines and at Iowa State, and LEED Gold is preferred. The LEED scorecard with expected credits is included in the design manual as reference.
On all other projects, LEED-NC standards are followed although those projects do not qualify under LEED-NC.
- Certified Iowa Targeted Small Businesses (TSB’s)
- Federal Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDB’s
- Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB’s)
- Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB’s)
- Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (SDVOSB’s)
- Federal Disadvantaged Businesses to include Minority-Owned Business Enterprises (MBE’s)
- Women-Owned Business Enterprises (WBE’s)
All design professionals working on the ISU campus must adhere to the ISU Facilities Design Manual (http://www.fpm.iastate.edu/planning/projects/apguestlogin_to_FDM.asp)
All new construction and major renovations are required to achieve LEED Silver as a minimum per Board of Regents Sustainability Guidelines and at Iowa State, and LEED Gold is preferred. The LEED scorecard with expected credits is included in the design manual as reference.
On all other projects, LEED-NC standards are followed although those projects do not qualify under LEED-NC.
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating transportation and fuels?:
Yes
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
Iowa State University's purchasing criteria for vehicle fuel efficiency is dictated by Iowa Code § 8A.362, which states:
"The director, and any other state agency, which for purposes of this subsection includes but is not limited to community colleges and institutions under the control of the state board of regents, or local governmental subdivisions purchasing new motor vehicles, shall purchase new passenger vehicles and light trucks so that the average fuel efficiency for the fleet of new passenger vehicles and light trucks purchased in that year equals or exceeds the average fuel economy standard for the vehicles' model year as established by the United States secretary of transportation under 15 U.S.C. § 2002."
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/8A.362.pdf
Iowa State must also prioritize the purchase of mercury-free vehicles per Iowa Code § 455B.809
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/2014/455B.809.pdf
"The director, and any other state agency, which for purposes of this subsection includes but is not limited to community colleges and institutions under the control of the state board of regents, or local governmental subdivisions purchasing new motor vehicles, shall purchase new passenger vehicles and light trucks so that the average fuel efficiency for the fleet of new passenger vehicles and light trucks purchased in that year equals or exceeds the average fuel economy standard for the vehicles' model year as established by the United States secretary of transportation under 15 U.S.C. § 2002."
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/8A.362.pdf
Iowa State must also prioritize the purchase of mercury-free vehicles per Iowa Code § 455B.809
https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/2014/455B.809.pdf
Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable procurement program or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.