| Overall Rating | Bronze |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 42.24 |
| Liaison | Tyler Leary |
| Submission Date | April 5, 2024 |
MGH Institute of Health Professions
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.75 / 3.00 |
Tyler
Leary Sustainability Coordinator Office of Campus 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:
The MGH Institute of Health Professions’ Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines aim to provide the IHP community with assistance in purchasing items with a focus on the three components of sustainability: environmental, social, and economic. All product or service purchases made on behalf of the MGH Institute of Health Professions will be done in a manner that protects human health and the environment, is fiscally responsible, and promotes social equity, disadvantaged business opportunities and other economic benefits to the community. Sustainable products and materials recommended by this framework may contain but are not limited to the following characteristics:
• Include recycled materials
• Minimize waste
• Production process conserves natural resources such as water
• Prevent pollution
• Contain fewer toxic substances than alternate products
• Encourage environmentally positive practices
• Use energy alternatives to fossil fuels
• Protect open-space
• Lessen the impact to public health
While not all factors will be incorporated into every purchase, it is the intent of this policy that the Institute will make an effort to promote sustainability factors to the maximum extent possible. Nothing in this policy shall be construed as requiring a member of the IHP to procure goods or services that do not perform adequately for their intended use, that exclude adequate competition, or that are not available at a reasonable price in a reasonable period.
• Include recycled materials
• Minimize waste
• Production process conserves natural resources such as water
• Prevent pollution
• Contain fewer toxic substances than alternate products
• Encourage environmentally positive practices
• Use energy alternatives to fossil fuels
• Protect open-space
• Lessen the impact to public health
While not all factors will be incorporated into every purchase, it is the intent of this policy that the Institute will make an effort to promote sustainability factors to the maximum extent possible. Nothing in this policy shall be construed as requiring a member of the IHP to procure goods or services that do not perform adequately for their intended use, that exclude adequate competition, or that are not available at a reasonable price in a reasonable period.
Does the institution employ Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) when evaluating energy- and water-using products and systems?:
No
Which of the following best describes the institution’s use of LCCA?:
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A brief description of the LCCA policy and/or practices:
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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:
The IHP has implemented a Green Cleaning Program based on the guidelines of the Green Seal Environmental Standard for Cleaning Services that aims to protect human health without harming the health of the environment. To reduce the adverse impacts of cleaning, products and materials used throughout campus are certified by either Green Seal® or the EcoLogo®. American Cleaning is contracted by the IHP to provide green cleaning services throughout our campus.
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 Institute has put in place a policy that ensures copy paper with at least 30% recycled content is purchased whenever possible. The IHP community is encouraged to limit paper usage, but when required individuals are suggested to print and copy documents double-sided to conserve paper and reduce waste.
Toner used by the Institute is also recycled through the toner company's take back recycling program.
Toner used by the Institute is also recycled through the toner company's take back recycling program.
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:
When purchasing items such as furniture and furnishings, it is recommended to first check what is available for reuse or repurposing (includes salvaged, refurbished, or reused products). If reuse is not possible as items no longer function fully for their intended use, new furniture and furnishings should be purchased with preference for third-party certifications such as the following:
• Forest Stewardship Council Certified (FSC) for products containing wood
• LEVEL certified
• Cradle to Cradle Certified
Preference is also given to furnishings, paint, coatings, adhesives, and sealants that have low or no emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), free of flame retardants, and/or contain post-consumer recycled materials.
• Forest Stewardship Council Certified (FSC) for products containing wood
• LEVEL certified
• Cradle to Cradle Certified
Preference is also given to furnishings, paint, coatings, adhesives, and sealants that have low or no emissions of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), free of flame retardants, and/or contain post-consumer recycled materials.
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:
The Energy Star Procurement Policy in place ensures the purchasing and leasing of ENERGY STAR© certified resources when such products exist and whenever financially and operationally feasible. This program attempts to achieve optimal energy efficiency and cost savings for the products and services regularly purchased and leased by the Institute.
In an effort to standardize workstations, each employee will receive the following IT setup.
Dell P2222H Monitors (EPEAT Gold)
Laptop (One of the three)
- Dell Latitude 7400 (Energy STAR Certified)
- Dell Latitude 7410 (Energy STAR Certified)
- Dell Latitude 7420 (EPEAT Gold)
Dell WD19DC Docking station
Dell Generic USB Keyboard
Dell Generic USB Mouse
In an effort to standardize workstations, each employee will receive the following IT setup.
Dell P2222H Monitors (EPEAT Gold)
Laptop (One of the three)
- Dell Latitude 7400 (Energy STAR Certified)
- Dell Latitude 7410 (Energy STAR Certified)
- Dell Latitude 7420 (EPEAT Gold)
Dell WD19DC Docking station
Dell Generic USB Keyboard
Dell Generic USB Mouse
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food service providers?:
Yes
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food service providers:
When choosing food service providers to provide catering for meetings and events, individuals are encouraged to determine if they offer food and beverage with the following criteria.
• Sustainable agriculture- The food or beverage are suggested to be labeled USDA Organic, Food Alliance Certified, Rainforest Alliance Certified, Protected Harvest Certified, Fair Trade, or Marine Stewardship Council’s Blue Eco-Label.
• Locally grown – ensures smaller carbon footprint, when selecting produce that is locally grown (items sourced within 250 miles of MGH IHP)
• Organic – organic farmers are sustainable stewards and do not use chemical inputs in their soil
• Fresh & Healthy – avoiding processed food means selecting fresh options that are healthier and full of nutrients
• Vegetarian & Vegan options – further reduce the carbon footprint by providing limited fish and meat meals and more attractive and nutritious vegetation & vegan options.
• Provide reusable utensils and plates/cups. If reusables are not possible, compostable or recyclable items are considered next best.
• Serve items such as condiments, creamers, beverages, sugar, salt, etc. in bulk to reduce the amount of packaging needing to be disposed of.
• Sustainable agriculture- The food or beverage are suggested to be labeled USDA Organic, Food Alliance Certified, Rainforest Alliance Certified, Protected Harvest Certified, Fair Trade, or Marine Stewardship Council’s Blue Eco-Label.
• Locally grown – ensures smaller carbon footprint, when selecting produce that is locally grown (items sourced within 250 miles of MGH IHP)
• Organic – organic farmers are sustainable stewards and do not use chemical inputs in their soil
• Fresh & Healthy – avoiding processed food means selecting fresh options that are healthier and full of nutrients
• Vegetarian & Vegan options – further reduce the carbon footprint by providing limited fish and meat meals and more attractive and nutritious vegetation & vegan options.
• Provide reusable utensils and plates/cups. If reusables are not possible, compostable or recyclable items are considered next best.
• Serve items such as condiments, creamers, beverages, sugar, salt, etc. in bulk to reduce the amount of packaging needing to be disposed of.
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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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:
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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:
---
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.