Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 72.63
Liaison Karen Oberer
Submission Date Aug. 22, 2016
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

McGill University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.75 / 3.00 Stephanie Leclerc
Sustainable Procurement Project Manager
McGill Procurement Services
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Part 1: Institution-Wide Policies 

Does the institution have written policies, guidelines or directives that seek to support sustainable purchasing across commodity categories institution-wide?:
Yes

A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
The policies, guidelines or directives:
From the Procurement Policy: Section 3.3. Sustainability 3.3.1. McGill University believes that its ultimate success in sustainable development depends on its principal actors being dedicated to a disciplined approach to sustainable procurement, incorporating the right balance of environment, society and economy considerations in each procurement activity. 3.3.2. The principle of Sustainability involves the foundation of a culture of responsible resources utilization based on careful, thorough evaluation of procurement requirements, while exploring opportunities that are environmentally responsible within the supply chain and promoting the reduction of consumption of energy and material resources. 3.3.3. Consequently, it brings about the duty to source exclusively from suppliers who demonstrate a steady record of compliance with all environmental regulations and an organizational commitment to responsible environmental management, by minimizing waste and promoting environmentally friendly products and services. 3.3.4. This principle also requires aligning procurement activities with the University’s support of human rights, never allowing an association with suppliers seeming to condone human rights abuses, with its commitment to health and safety, demanding equal commitment from its suppliers, and with its philosophy of building partnerships of productivity and respect with its neighbors, encouraging suppliers to partner with merchants and residents of the University’s host communities. 3.3.5. The principle of Sustainability finally asks that the University solidify its supply base, teaming solely with business partners who provide an assurance of supply for the duration of their obligations, have competent and responsive personnel available, are able to continuously deliver the specified quality and are capable of doing business in a form compatible with McGill University processes, while sharing the University’s cost efficiency objectives of reducing acquisition and life-cycle costs. === https://www.mcgill.ca/procurement/files/procurement/supplier_code_of_conduct.pdf McGill University’s Supplier Code of Conduct (“Code”) is used as a means to align McGill University’s business relations with its suppliers with the fundamental principles of sustainability, integrity, equity and accountability, established in the following University policies: McGill University’s Procurement Policy (Board of Governors, 2013) McGill University’s Sustainability Policy (Board of Governors, 2010) OBJECTIVE This Code establishes McGill University’s minimal requirements for the management of ethical, social and environmental risks and opportunities, as it engages in business relations with its suppliers. The principles detailed in this Code apply to all McGill University suppliers, which are expected to apply similar principles throughout their own supply chain and business practices. SCOPE This Code applies to all parties contracted by McGill University for the supply of goods or services, and compliance with this Code is an integral part of the various conditions to become an approved supplier of McGill University. Additional obligations, specifications and conditions pertaining to the supply of goods and/or services by McGill University suppliers are described in individual contract documents executed with McGill University.

Part 2: Life Cycle Cost Analysis 

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 as a matter of policy and standard practice when evaluating all energy- and water-using products, systems and building components

A brief description of the LCCA policy and/or practices:
LCCA is required for all construction and renovation projects. LCCA is also very much encouraged by McGill's Procurement Services for all purchases made outside of construction and renovation projects. McGill's IT Asset Management System is an enterprise-level management system used to record and track McGill IT assets throughout their "gate-to-gate" lifecycle at McGill.

Part 3: Commodity-Specific Sustainability Criteria

To count, the criteria must address the specific sustainability challenges and impacts associated with products/services in each category, e.g. by requiring or giving preference to multi-criteria sustainability standards, certifications and labels appropriate to the category. Broader, institution-wide policies should be reported in Part 1, above. 

Chemically Intensive Products and Services

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating chemically intensive products and services (e.g. building and facilities maintenance, cleaning and sanitizing, landscaping and grounds maintenance)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:
The University switched to Enviro Solutions products in 2002; they are approved by both "Ecologo" and "Green Seal" criteria (ref. http://www.larose.ca/index_fra.html). The RFP for Building Services limits all departmental purchases for cleaning products for day-to-day maintenance in our buildings to only EcoLogo or Green Seal approved products. Many of the University's cleaning practices, as outlined in SOPs, conform to Green Seal requirements (eg. frequency and type of cleaning required of facilities, communication with clients, health and safety training for staff, purchasing recycled/recyclable products, etc.)

Construction and Renovation 

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating construction and renovation products (e.g. furnishings and building materials)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for construction and renovation products:
http://www.mcgill.ca/buildings/files/buildings/mcgill_green_build_standards.pdf McGill requires projects to achieve prescriptive levels of environmental performance according to project size and scope. New construction and major projects (type A) are required to register and get certified using the Canadian Green Building Council (CaGBC) Leadership in Energy and environmental Design (LEED) green building certification rating system. All projects are encouraged to pursue aggressive levels of energy efficiency and sustainable design using recognized performance standards as design minimums. Minimum performance standards for materials are outlined in accordance to LEED standards.

Information Technology (IT) 

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating Information technology (IT) products and services (e.g. computers, imaging equipment, mobile phones, data centers and cloud services)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for IT products and services:
Minimum standard requirements for the purchase of new computers: Operating System: Vendor supported OS, where critical security updates are continually available. Open source community supported OS (e.g., GNU/Linux or BSD) where critical security updates are continually available. Processor: i-5 Memory: 4 GB RAM Network Interface: Integrated 10/100/1000 NIC Security: Trusted Platform Module (TPM) Bios password protection Tamper proof chassis Warranty: 3 years on-site Must be EPEAT GOLD Minimum standard requirements for the purchase of: Displays: EPEAT GOLD Printers: EPEAT SILVER Televisions: EPEAT SILVER

Food Services 

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food services (i.e. franchises, vending services, concessions, convenience stores)?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food services:
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Garments and Linens 

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

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for garments and linens:
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Professional Services 

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating professional services (e.g. architectural, engineering, public relations, financial)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional services:
As outlined in McGill's Green Building Standards: "Design Standards, for the design and construction of facilities at McGill University, were created to ensure maximum quality and value in construction projects through uniformity, system or component quality, compatibility, functionality, and ease of maintenance. These Standards must be applied by all consultants (Architects, Engineers, lighting consultant, acoustical consultant, etc.) in the preparation of construction documents for any new construction or renovation project." Reference: https://www.mcgill.ca/buildings/files/buildings/mcgill_green_build_standards.pdf

Transportation and Fuels 

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating transportation and fuels (e.g. travel, vehicles, delivery services, long haul transport, generator fuels, steam plants)?:
No

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

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating wood and paper products?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for wood and paper products:
Paper Policy The University has had a paper use policy in effect since 2005. Policy statement All academic and administrative units of the University shall abide by the commitments made under the McGill Environmental Policy in order to implement the principle of “rethink - reduce – reuse - recycle” in its paper usage by: Purchasing paper with greater recycled and post-consumer content, when economically feasible; Printing and copying double-sided, when appropriate; Allowing and encouraging students to submit double-sided assignments. Accompanying principles To this end, academic and administrative units shall make every reasonable effort to: Purchase the Eco-logo or 100% PC paper when recommended by the University; Print and copy double-sided (documents, memorandums, exams, handouts, etc.); Post syllabi, notes and notices in a way that reduce the over consumption of paper when using WebCT (e.g. post PowerPoint slides six to a page); Set the default on printers and copiers as double-sided; Use exam booklet made of Eco-logo or 100% PC paper and lined both sides; Make use of Eco-logo or 100% PC paper in all University’s publications and mention it in the publication; Encourage students to submit assignments double-sided; Encourage web-based assignments.

Other Commodity Categories 

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating products and services in other commodity categories that the institution has determined to have significant sustainability impacts?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for other commodity categories:
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Optional Fields 

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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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.