| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 69.67 |
| Liaison | Julie Newman |
| Submission Date | Sept. 30, 2021 |
Massachusetts Institute of Technology
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.25 / 3.00 |
MIT
Office of Sustainability Director Office of Sustainability |
Does the institution have written policies, guidelines, or directives that seek to support sustainable purchasing across multiple commodity categories institution-wide?:
A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
The policies, guidelines or directives:
MIT is committed to fostering a campus environment that is inclusive and equitable and values diversity. This commitment extends to the suppliers that serve the campus and is supported by the Small and Diverse Business Program within the Office of the Vice President for Finance (VPF). VPF helps the MIT community purchase goods and services — from catered lunches and photography to digital microscopes and equipment repair. The Small and Diverse Business Program aims to increase MIT’s participation with small businesses and those with historically underrepresented ownership to provide goods and services to the Institute. Opportunities for these businesses to supply the Institute span a range of commodity areas, including: catering; design and writing services; office supplies; laboratory equipment and suppliers; landscaping and snow removal; captions, transcripts, and subtitles; project management; and architectural design. For more information, see the VPF website here: https://vpf.mit.edu/mit-small-and-diverse-business-program.
Does the institution employ Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) when evaluating energy- and water-using products and systems?:
Which of the following best describes the institution’s use of LCCA?:
A brief description of the LCCA policy and/or practices:
MIT employs LCCA as a matter of policy and standard practice when evaluating system-wide capital investments that have an energy impact. In order to do so, MIT uses an internally developed life cycle cost analysis tool to support decision-making, particularly in areas of energy and GHG emissions.
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating chemically intensive products and services?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:
The MIT Department of Facilities has published sustainability criteria relating to the purchasing and use of chemically intensive cleaning chemicals, equipment, and pest control services. These criteria include promoting the purchasing of Ecologo and GreenSeal cleaning products and the implementation of a low-impact integrated pest management plan. The pest management plan outlines practices to use the least toxic chemical pesticides available, minimize the amount of chemicals used, and treat areas that target exposure to unintended species. MIT Green Cleaning Program guide is found here: https://sustainability.mit.edu/resource/mit-green-cleaning-program-2014.
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating consumable office products?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for consumable office products:
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating furniture and furnishings?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for furniture and furnishings:
Sustainable Design Standards:
MIT has developed and uses the MIT Sustainable Design Standards (http://web.mit.edu/facilities/environmental/index.html ). These standards are based on LEED V4 and require a minimum of Gold Certification for all new construction and major renovation projects. At a minimum, projects are required to pursue Materials and Resources credits for Building Product Disclosure and Optimization for each of the following:
- EPDS (Option 1, Explore Option 2),
- Sourcing or Raw Materials (Explore options 1 and 2), and
- Material Ingredients (Option 1, Explore Option 2).
Additional Information: MIT publishes Design Standards include sustainable design criteria for specific materials such as Division 6 - wood, plastics and composites (page 45 -51), Division 8 - openings (windows and doors page 70-86), Division 9 - Finishes (ceilings and flooring page 87-102) https://web.mit.edu/facilities/maps/MIT%20Design%20Standards%20Volume%202.pdf
Furnishings:
In addition, the MIT Working Green Program offers some guidance to help administrative staff make more sustainable purchasing decisions of furniture.
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating Information technology (IT) and equipment?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for Information Technology (IT) and equipment:
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food service providers?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food service providers:
MIT has established a list of preferred campus caterers. Selection as a preferred caterer depends on a caterer meeting sustainable practices criteria including use of reusable flatware, serving dishes, plates, tablecloths and composting services. MIT's procurement of campus-based concessions includes sustainability criteria as part of the request for proposal process.
https://adminconnect.mit.edu/news/mit’s-new-preferred-caterers-offer-discounts-all-orders
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating garments and linens?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for garments and linens:
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating professional service providers?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional service providers:
During the RFP process, if appropriate, firms are questioned regarding their internal sustainability practices. These questions are often specific to the industry or service being provided, but often include questions regarding transportation to campus, recycling programs in offices, or any B-corp information. MIT makes a concentrated effort to include businesses that are owned and operated by minoritized and otherwise marginalized people, and asks prime suppliers to provide Tier 2 diverse spend information if available.
Sustainability information and firmographic data for these preferred vendors of professional services are provided to the campus purchasing community through the supplier search page.
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating transportation and fuels?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
MIT Fast Forward Climate Action Plan outlines that all future purchases (beginning immediately) of on campus vehicles will be fully electric. The plan also commits MIT to work to offset carbon impacts of all MIT-sponsored travel.
Additionally: MIT criteria for fuel purchase for shuttle bus includes biodiesel blend ( https://sustainability.mit.edu/topic/zero-carbon-campus#!mobility )
Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable procurement program or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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.