| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 68.89 |
| Liaison | Natalie Sobrinski |
| Submission Date | Feb. 27, 2024 |
Muhlenberg College
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.75 / 3.00 |
Brian
Blenis Director of Purchasing Purchasing |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Part 1. Institution-wide sustainable procurement policies
Yes
A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
The policies, guidelines or directives:
“All of our suppliers that my office [the purchasing department] comes into contact with are requested to follow the policies/ guidelines as listed in the sustainable Purchasing policy. We do stipulate such things as paint finishes have no VOC's, use of recycled fabrics, reduced packaging. The office supply vendor, W.B. Mason, was requested to reduce deliveries from 5 days a week to 3 days a week.”
https://www.muhlenberg.edu/media/contentassets/pdf/about/purchasing/purchasing-policies-procedures.pdf
Also, “Muhlenberg partners with dealers representing multiple major furniture manufactures. These representatives have been instructed to only bring to campus furniture from the specific manufactures that have been approved by the Director of Purchasing and that have documented Sustainable policies.” (Betty Lees)
Some of our business partners are covered by policies, guidelines and/or agreements that require adherence to minimum standards governing employee wages, benefits, working conditions and rights. Specifically, business partners with contracts through the Lehigh Valley Association of Independent Colleges (LVAIC) consortium are covered by agreements which cover standards for employee wages, benefits, working conditions and rights.
https://www.muhlenberg.edu/media/contentassets/pdf/about/purchasing/purchasing-policies-procedures.pdf
Also, “Muhlenberg partners with dealers representing multiple major furniture manufactures. These representatives have been instructed to only bring to campus furniture from the specific manufactures that have been approved by the Director of Purchasing and that have documented Sustainable policies.” (Betty Lees)
Some of our business partners are covered by policies, guidelines and/or agreements that require adherence to minimum standards governing employee wages, benefits, working conditions and rights. Specifically, business partners with contracts through the Lehigh Valley Association of Independent Colleges (LVAIC) consortium are covered by agreements which cover standards for employee wages, benefits, working conditions and rights.
Part 2. Life Cycle Cost Analysis
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:
Muhlenberg employs Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) as a matter of policy and practice when evaluating energy and water-using products and systems across all of its operations. Prior to purchasing a commodity, the total cost of ownership is considered, which includes initial cost, cost to receive, life expectancy, cost to maintain/energy required to run, and cost to dispose/recycle.
https://www.muhlenberg.edu/media/contentassets/pdf/about/purchasing/purchasing-policies-procedures.pdf
https://www.muhlenberg.edu/media/contentassets/pdf/about/purchasing/purchasing-policies-procedures.pdf
Part 3. Product-specific sustainability criteria
To count, the criteria must address the specific sustainability challenges and impacts associated with products and/or 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
Yes
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:
Use Green Seal certified cleaning products whenever possible.
Choose bio-based and biodegradable solvents, cleaners, inks, lubricants, and fuels whenever possible.
https://www.muhlenberg.edu/media/contentassets/pdf/about/purchasing/purchasing-policies-procedures.pdf
Choose bio-based and biodegradable solvents, cleaners, inks, lubricants, and fuels whenever possible.
https://www.muhlenberg.edu/media/contentassets/pdf/about/purchasing/purchasing-policies-procedures.pdf
Consumable office products
Yes
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for consumable office products:
Purchase office paper and other supplies (tablets, folders, etc.) with a minimum of 30% post consumer waste (PCW) recycled content, and preferably 100% PCW recycled content
For uncut paper, including janitorial supplies, require 100% PCW recycled content
Purchase recycled toner cartridges and recycle ink and toner cartridges
Purchase printers, copiers, and fax machines with duplex capabilities and make duplex mode the default setting
For uncut paper, including janitorial supplies, require 100% PCW recycled content
Purchase recycled toner cartridges and recycle ink and toner cartridges
Purchase printers, copiers, and fax machines with duplex capabilities and make duplex mode the default setting
Furniture and furnishings
Yes
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for furniture and furnishings:
When purchasing wood products, give preference to wood sustainably harvested (FSC certified) and with low VOC and formaldehyde content
Give preference to durable fabrics made with recycled content
Give preference to carpet, tiles, and insulation made of recycled and non-toxic material
https://www.muhlenberg.edu/media/contentassets/pdf/about/purchasing/purchasing-policies-procedures.pdf
Give preference to durable fabrics made with recycled content
Give preference to carpet, tiles, and insulation made of recycled and non-toxic material
https://www.muhlenberg.edu/media/contentassets/pdf/about/purchasing/purchasing-policies-procedures.pdf
Information Technology (IT) and equipment
Yes
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for Information Technology (IT) and equipment:
The Green Purchasing Policy requires new computers, laptops, and monitors to meet the EPA energy Star Standards
There are efforts to recycle all electronic waste in a responsible manner.
https://www.muhlenberg.edu/media/contentassets/pdf/about/purchasing/purchasing-policies-procedures.pdf
There are efforts to recycle all electronic waste in a responsible manner.
https://www.muhlenberg.edu/media/contentassets/pdf/about/purchasing/purchasing-policies-procedures.pdf
Food service providers
No
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food service providers:
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Garments and linens
No
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for garments and linens:
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Professional service providers
No
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional service providers:
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Transportation and fuels
Yes
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
The College has invested in a fleet of 14 electric vehicles, as well as a solar lawnmower and solar leaf blowers. Muhlenberg is committed to replacing vehicles with ones that reduce our carbon footprint.
https://www.muhlenberg.edu/offices/plantops/sustainableinitiatives/
https://www.muhlenberg.edu/offices/plantops/sustainableinitiatives/
Optional Fields
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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.