Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 67.16
Liaison Scott Doyle
Submission Date Oct. 25, 2022

STARS v2.2

Ithaca College
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 3.00 Scott Doyle
Director
Energy Management and Sustainability
"---" 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:

Ithaca College's overarching policy that guides procurement is the Comprehensive Environmental Policy (https://www.ithaca.edu/policy-manual/volume-ii-campus-community/238-comprehensive-environmental-policy).

Various departmental guidance further exists including the following.

Recycled and Green Purchasing - The College is committed to the protection of the environment and is always interested in the purchase of recycled and recyclable products when possible.Excerpt from the Procurement Team's "Information for Suppliers - How to do Business with Ithaca College" web site (https://www.ithaca.edu/procurement/infoforsuppliers/)

The IT Sustainability Policy is located at this web site (https://www.ithaca.edu/information-technology/about-itic/sustainability). It details our technology devices are Energy Star rated, lead-free, RoHS compliant, and EPEAT registered. It further details the our paper and printing, lab management, and data center centralization requirements, all supportive of best practices to minimize our environmental impact.

Further attached is a sustainability guidance document that has helped to steer campus purchases and investments.


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:

Due to our Comprehensive Environmental Policy we design to LEED standards, and fully consider the total life cycle cost for our systems and the individual components in both small and large projects.


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating chemically intensive products and services?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:

In buying chemically intensive products and services, Ithaca College adheres to its "Comprehensive Environmental Policy" - Policy #2.38 - Section II. Environmentally Responsible Purchasing Policies. Although this doesn't provide specific direction on chemically intensive products, this section there are several pertinent subsections which guides our buying of chemically intensive products and services including subsection 3 which states "Purchasing policies will encourage acquisition of products that minimize waste, have high recycled content, use environmentally responsible production methods, and demonstrate maximum durability or biodegradability, reparability, energy efficiency, non-toxicity, and recyclability." It is due to this policy that Ithaca College purchases green-seal certified products as well as green janitorial products and certified floor machines. https://www.ithaca.edu/policy-manual/volume-ii-campus-community/238-comprehensive-environmental-policy


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:

Our Comprehensive Environmental Policy (Policy 2.38 - Section II) includes direction on purchasing including consumable office products. Subsection 3 of this policy states, "Purchasing policies will encourage acquisition of products that minimize waste, have high recycled content, use environmentally responsible production methods, and demonstrate maximum durability or biodegradability, reparability, energy efficiency, non-toxicity, and recyclability." It goes on to state in subsection 5 that "Departments shall be encouraged to specify and purchase environmentally preferable products that meet or exceed the standards of third-party certification programs for environmental and/or sustainable products where such ratings exist."

https://www.ithaca.edu/policy-manual/volume-ii-campus-community/238-comprehensive-environmental-policy


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating furniture and furnishings?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for furniture and furnishings:

Our Comprehensive Environmental Policy (Policy 2.38 - Section II) includes direction on purchasing furniture and furnishings. Subsection 3 of this policy states, "Purchasing policies will encourage acquisition of products that minimize waste, have high recycled content, use environmentally responsible production methods, and demonstrate maximum durability or biodegradability, reparability, energy efficiency, non-toxicity, and recyclability." It goes on to state in subsection 5 that "Departments shall be encouraged to specify and purchase environmentally preferable products that meet or exceed the standards of third-party certification programs for environmental and/or sustainable products where such ratings exist." This policy guides the College furniture and furnishing purchases.


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:

In addition to the Comprehensive Environmental Policy, Ithaca College's IT Sustainability Policy is located at this web site (https://www.ithaca.edu/information-technology/about-itic/sustainability). It details our technology devices are Energy Star rated, lead-free, RoHS compliant, and EPEAT registered. It further details the our paper and printing, lab management, and data center centralization requirements, all supportive of best practices to minimize our environmental impact.


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:

Outside of the purchasing of dining equipment which is guided by our Comprehensive Environmental Policy, the policy does not sufficiently guide food service providers. It should be noted that we do however work with a provider that provides sustainability options and summarizes work in ESG reporting.


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:

As stated in the Comprehensive Environmental Policy, the College commits to the goal of balancing environmentally and fiscally responsible purchasing choices by considering life cycle costs, long-term implications, and environmental impact of its purchasing policies.

Purchasing policies will encourage acquisition of products that minimize waste, have high recycled content, use environmentally responsible production methods, and demonstrate maximum durability or biodegradability, reparability, energy efficiency, non-toxicity, and recyclability.
Departments shall specify and purchase ENERGY STAR-certified energy-efficient products in all product categories for which such ratings exist.
Departments shall be encouraged to specify and purchase environmentally preferable products that meet or exceed the standards of third-party certification programs for environmental and/or sustainable products where such ratings exist.

Although not specifically referring to garments and linens, staff believe this helps to guide sustainable purchases of products where available.


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating professional service providers?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional service providers:

The Comprehensive Environmental Policy does not currently include guidance on professional service providers.


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating transportation and fuels?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:

The Comprehensive Environmental Policy does not currently include guidance on professional service providers.

Ithaca College is however currently undertaking a Green Fleet and Infrastructure Planning project to help incorporate true cost of relying on Internal Combustion Engine vehicles.


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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