| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 75.15 |
| Liaison | Laura Young |
| Submission Date | March 3, 2022 |
Michigan State University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.50 / 3.00 |
Laura
Young Sustainability Program Coordinator Administration-EVP-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:
University Procurement and Logistics (UPL) supports MSU's sustainability goals as identified by Campus Sustainability by providing responsible procurement and supply chain guidelines and practices. Environmental considerations are a factor when Procurement negotiates strategic contracts. Since these contracts provide the best value to the university, please visit Spartan Marketplace prior to using other buying methods. All things being equal—price, quality, shipping, terms and conditions—a sustainable product should be selected for purchase. Green Purchasing Guidelines are posted on UPL's website that address sustainable product certifications and rankings, manufacturing and production, packaging and distribution, use and maintenance, and disposal. https://upl.msu.edu/procurement/buying-methods/purchase-orders/sustainable/index.html
In addition, Procurement and Purchasing policies and procedures are published in MSU's Manual of Business Procedures. The purchasing process at MSU is governed by the Manual of Business Procedures as well as local, state and federal laws and regulations. The MBP is coordinated by the Office of the Controller. University Procurement and Logistics is the policy owner for Section 270: Procurement of the MBP. Please see the file upload for procurement policies and guidelines, sections: 270.6.1 Sourcing Considerations and 270.6.2 Business Inclusion on pages 5-6 of the document.
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:
The following University Procurement and Logistics Green Purchasing Guidelines states to review:
"-Certifications and rankings: Look for environmentally certified products, i.e. Energy Star, Forest Stewardship Council, etc. See list of common certifications
-Manufacturing and Production: Look for products that are recycled, remanufactured, or have re-used content. Use companies that implement environmentally preferable manufacturing techniques. Buy locally produced or grown products to reduce transportation costs and support local communities
-Packaging and Distribution: If possible, consolidate shipments to reduce environmental impact as well as cost to MSU; Ask if modifications can be made to packaging to reduce material used and downstream waste; Consider alternative service delivery options, such as remote diagnostics
-Use and Maintenance: When buying equipment and supplies, consider all aspects of use including cost and operating expenses—electricity, steam, water, and supplies used over the life of the product. Procurement can assist with this analysis.
Use teleconference options as compared to face-to-face meetings requiring travel
Avoid waste—buy in bulk when appropriate. Look for items with warranties, so they can be fixed instead of replaced
MSU Surplus Store: repurpose previously used items
-Disposal: Consider supplier take-back, resale, recyclability, and repurposing options at the end of product life".
In addition, as noted in section 270.6.1 Sourcing Considerations of the Manual of Business Procedures, the "Total cost of ownership, including impacts such as energy use and end of life disposition, when acquiring broadly used items or engaging in high dollar purchases with long range implications" should be considered when working with suppliers.
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:
MSU Custodial practices the (OS1) Cleaning system. The (OS1) program focuses on both the health of the building occupants and the cleaning staff. Environmentally preferable cleaning strategies, procedures, training, and purchasing guidelines for consumables, tools and equipment are all part of responsible cleaning. All of the daily-use cleaning chemicals in the (OS1) Program have earned the Green Seal Certification or are EPA registered disinfectants.
GS-37 Designation
-PortionPac’s MopPac Lite 1802
-PortionPac’s ScrubPac 102
EPA Registered Disinfectant
-PortionPac’s Germicidal Detergent 264N & 201N
The Carpet and Rug Institute (CRI) Seal of Approval
-PortionPac’s Germicidal Detergent 264N & 201N
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:
When purchasing paper and wood products, in addition to the standard Green Purchasing Guidelines, MSU specifically evaluates:
• Maximize recycled content: 100% recycled, minimum 30% post- consumer
• Chlorine-free production: Labeled Totally Chlorine Free (TCF) or Processed Chlorine Free (PCF)
• Sustainably sourced fiber
• No plastic coatings.
MSU also looks for four different types of certification: Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) Sustainable Forestry Initiative; Green Seal; and Water Sense.
https://upl.msu.edu/common/documents/sustainable-buying-tips.pdf
https://upl.msu.edu/procurement/buying-methods/purchase-orders/sustainable/index.html
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:
MSU construction standards requires that new construction meets LEED-Silver criteria levels. Furnishings must be purchased to purport with LEED-certified levels. Certifications utilized include: Cradle to Grave; Sustainable Forestry Initiative; Green Seal; SCS Global Services. https://upl.msu.edu/common/documents/sustainable-buying-tips.pdf. In addition, the following are also elements in the evaluation and purchasing process:
• Consider used goods and furniture from MSU Surplus Store
• Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified lumber
• Recycled material: Look for post-consumer recycled content
• Purchase items with warranties
• Buy furniture that is easy to disassemble and recycle
• Look for items manufactured with Low VOCs
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:
The Green Purchasing Guidelines from University Procurement and Logistics addresses sustainable purchasing for certified electronics including EPEAT, Energy Star, Green Seal, and Water Sense. https://upl.msu.edu/common/documents/sustainable-buying-tips.pdf.
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:
MSU is a self-operated dining and retail operation. However, Culinary Services includes sustainability and environmental stewardship criteria in all contracts for other food service providers such as bottle beverage vending contracts. The following criteria are included in the evaluation and procurmenet process for food service contracts: recycling, sustainable packaging and packaging takeback programs, energy consumption reduction, human rights initiatives, environmental compliance, and use of sustainably certified products.
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:
Though MSU does not have a published sustainability criteria for garmets, Spartan Linen Services has garment vendors that adopted the Higg Index to promote sustainability in the supply chain through activities such as: reducing energy, fuel, and/or electricity, having work from home programs, reducing air mileage, ensuring shipping containers are filled to 89.7 % capacity, tracking nautical miles saved, and having bunker fuel reduced.
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:
N/A
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:
MSU transportation and fuels purchasing policies are subject to the university's purchasing policy and guidelines within the Manual of Business Procedures. The sourcing considerations within the MBP requires the buyer to look at several criteria including applicable certifications. In the case of transportation, SmartWay Transport Partner, is the required certification. https://www.epa.gov/smartway
BMP Purchasing Section 270.6.1 : Source Considerations and Options (paraphrased):
A. Domestic/Michigan Purchasing: Efforts should be made to purchase domestically and preference is given to those manufactured or provided by Michigan Businesses.
B. The buyer has an obligation to consider all aspects of a procurement decision. Total Cost of Ownership analyses are to be used as an evaluation tool in measuring the total impact of a procurement decision, particularly those of high impact or high dollar volume. While not an exhaustive listing, the following are considerations for procurement decisions as determined applicable by the buyer:
A. Product factors such as recycled, remanufactured or re-used content.
B. When procuring equipment and supplies, consider all aspects of the use of the equipment including the cost of the equipment, the operating expenses including electricity, steam, water and supplies factored over the useful life of the equipment.
C. Procuring environmentally certified products such as Energy Star, Forest Stewardship Council certified, etc.
D. Disposal costs of goods and equipment or waste produced through utilization.
E. Alternative service delivery options such as remote diagnostics.
F. Modifications to packaging to reduce material used and/or downstream waste.
G. Consideration of the reduction of multiple product use when replaced by a single product and the cost implications of such a decision.
H. Teleconference options as compared to face to face meetings requiring air and/or vehicle travel.
I. Locally produced/locally grown to reduce transportation costs and impacts.
J. Shipment consolidation to reduce environmental impact and cost to the university.
K. Supplier take back, resale, recyclability and repurposing options of goods at the end of useful life.
L. Environmentally preferable manufacturing techniques and/or raw material used.
This information is required as a part of the RFP process.
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.