Mount Holyoke College
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Mount Holyoke College is committed to providing a safe, clean environment to the entire College community. We are also committed to implementing practices that are environmentally friendly and promote sustainability. This green cleaning policy is part of that commitment. Benefits of Green Cleaning Green Cleaning is a term that means cleaning in a manner that protects health without harming the environment. Green cleaning has many potential benefits, including reducing exposure to toxic and highly irritating chemicals, reducing exposure to carcinogens and volatile organic compounds (VOCs), reducing dust and chemical allergens, and reducing the number of chemicals needed to maintain facilities. Other goals of green cleaning include reducing use of energy and water, promoting safety and training. These factors contribute to efficiency and financial savings. Certifications EcoLogo is North America’s largest, most respected environmental standard and certification mark. EcoLogo offers third party certification of environmentally preferable products and provides customers, public, corporate and consumer, with assurance that the products and services bearing the logo meet stringent standards of environmental leadership. Green Seal is a non-profit organization that develops life cycle-based sustainability standards for products, services and companies and offers third-party certification for those that meet the criteria in the standard. Green Seal has been actively identifying and promoting sustainability in the marketplace, and helping organizations be greener in a real and effective way since 1989. Purchasing In accordance with the College’s commitment to sustainability, safety and the environment will be considered in making all purchases. The College preference is that all cleaning chemicals purchased will be Green Seal or EcoLogo-certified. When it is not feasible to use a Green Seal or EcoLogo-certified chemical, the least hazardous product possible will be selected. Policy Review This policy will be reviewed when new products are considered or if new cleaning procedures are implemented. The review will be conducted by the Manager of Cleaning Services to ensure that we are using the best possible practices, our cleaning program is having as little impact as possible and that we are providing the safest environment for all members of the College community. https://www.mtholyoke.edu/ehs/green-cleaning-policy

The College's Environmentally Responsible Building Guidelines include guidelines to support three materials and resources principles: (1) Use building materials that minimize the life cycle impact of those materials, (2) Minimize waste generation during the construction process and maximize reuse and recycling, (3) Create a comfortable and healthy indoor environment. https://www.mtholyoke.edu/envsustainability/envguidelines

Mount Holyoke College is committed to using greener equipment and implementing practices that are environmentally friendly and promote sustainability. Our green computer purchasing policy is a reflection of that commitment. Benefits of Green Computers Green computers save electricity, reduce greenhouse gas emissions, prevent water pollution emissions, reduce use of toxic materials and reduce the need for disposal of hazardous waste. Certifications Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) is an easy-to-use, on-line tool helping institutional purchasers select and compare computer desktops, laptops and monitors based on their environmental attributes. EPEAT was developed using a grant by EPA and is managed by the Green Electronics Council (GEC). It is dedicated to informing purchasers of the environmental criteria of electronic products. • EPEAT-registered computer products have reduced levels of cadmium, lead, and mercury to better protect human health, and are easier to upgrade and recycle, in addition to meeting the government's Energy Star guidelines for energy efficiency. By buying EPEAT registered products, purchasers are significantly contributing to reducing the environmental impacts of their computers. • EPEAT products are measured against both required and optional criteria. A product must meet all of the required criteria in its category to be added to the registry. It is then rated Bronze (meets all required criteria), Silver (meets all required criteria, plus 50% of optional criteria) or Gold (meets all required criteria, plus 75% of optional criteria), depending on how many of the optional criteria it meets. Energy Star is a joint program of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency and the U.S. Department of Energy helping to protect the environment and save money through energy efficient products and practices. https://www.mtholyoke.edu/sites/default/files/lits/docs/LITS_CRSS_120327.pdf

Environmental and Sustainable Practices Dining Services is committed to protecting our global and local resources and incorporating environmentally friendly and safe practices and sustainability into our dining program when operationally feasible. We are committed to providing students with healthy and nutritious food and managing our waste in a way that minimizes our impact on the environment. Sustainability can be incorporated and achieved in many ways: Sourcing locally grown products Sourcing organically grown products Sourcing responsibly grown or harvested products Operating dining facilities in a way that: Saves water and energy Reduces packaging and recycles or composts everything from disposable dishware to food waste https://www.mtholyoke.edu/dining/environmental_sustainable

The College centrally purchases 30% recycled content paper for central duplication and department multi-function device paper from a preferred vendor. https://www.mtholyoke.edu/purchasing/copier