| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 71.89 |
| Liaison | Isabel Savransky |
| Submission Date | Nov. 14, 2023 |
Ontario Tech University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.75 / 3.00 |
Isabel
Savransky Sustainability & Asset Planner Office of Campus Infrastructure and 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:
The Office of Campus Infrastructure and Sustainability is consulted prior to RFPs being sent out to insure language around minimum environmental standards, certifications and sustainability best practices is sufficient and up to date. This language carries over to the agreements with business partners.
Business partners must also adhere to the following criteria for RFPs:
- Include information on their commitment to the preservation and sustainability of the environment in regards to practices, vehicles, products used in the execution of the agreement;
- Detail the company’s building-specific Green Plan. List green product line and other green initiatives that their company has undertaken
- Alternative products and services will be considered if they can be demonstrated to be Green Seal or Eco Logo (Canadian) equivalent;
- Companies must show proof of environmental certifications
- Companies must be transparent with their commitment to Sustainability in their business practices.
Additionally, Ontario Tech U "endeavors to deal only with suppliers who adhere to the labour standards of the International Labour Organization “Declaration on Fundamental Principles and Rights at Work” in relation to the acquisition of apparel and non-apparel products bearing the name, logo, image or trademark of the University. http://www.ilo.org/global/What_we_do/InternationalLabourStandards/lang--en/index.htm strive to ensure that the same suppliers also require the above compliance from their sub-contractors".
Ontario Tech U Purchasing Policy, Procedures and Guidelines: https://www.google.ca/url?sa=t&rct=j&q=&esrc=s&source=web&cd=2&sqi=2&ved=0ahUKEwiCmYWunIzNAhUMHT4KHWICCW0QFgghMAE&url=http%3A%2F%2Fresearch.uoit.ca%2Ffiles%2Fassets%2FDefault%2Fdocuments%2FUOIT%2520Purchasing%2520Policy%2520-%2520Final.pdf&usg=AFQjCNG051k6yauXOcEyjBf17tfnlgDO2w&bvm=bv.123664746,d.cWw&cad=rja
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:
Ontario Tech U takes in to account the total cost of ownership when evaluating energy and water-using products and systems by tracking and scheduling preventative maintenance (PM) among other things in our facilities software. By doing this we minimize costly repairs, reduce operational downtime, extend asset service lifecycles, and improve planning.
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:
This policy states no chemical bleaching of paper, waste audits for companies using chemicals in fuels, alternative fuel options to avoid chemicals, and low emissions.
Section of Ontario Tech Cleaning specifications outline in the RFP:
- Include information on the cleaning company's commitment to the preservation and sustainability of the environment in regards to practices, vehicles, products used in the execution of the agreement:
- Detail the company’s building-specific Green Plan. List green product line and other green initiatives that the company has undertaken
- Alternative products and services will be considered if they can be demonstrated to be Green Seal or Eco Logo (Canadian) equivalent
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:
Our paper policy states using electronic documents, printed documents be on recycled paper, recycling unneeded documents, printing double sided, and paper should be certified as originated from a sustainability managed forests.
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:
Section included in all Ontario Tech Request for Proposals:
• When determining whether a product is environmentally preferable all phases of a product’s life cycle will be considered, including raw materials acquisition, production, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, operation, maintenance, disposal, potential for reuse, ability to be recycled.
• Consistent with environmentally sound purchasing practices, the Institution will make every effort to purchase goods and services that have the environmental attributes described above and which meet the standards of third-party environmental certification programs.
• Companies must show proof of environmental certifications
• Companies must be transparent with their commitment to Sustainability in their business practices.
Other products requirements are stated on a case-by-case basis (e.g. any lighting purchases must be LED or an equivalent).
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:
We follow EPEAT gold when purchasing technology. Furthermore, we chose suppliers with environmentally preferred products and features, accepts packaging for reuse, recycling and recovery, low emissions, and ENERGY STAR qualifications.
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:
The Food Service RFP states the sustainability criteria and objectives included in sections below (this is a subsection of the full RFP):
- Human Resource Expectations: b)Fair and competitive wages that are comparable to the local food service industry.
- Sustainability (Proponent outlines commitment to seven focus areas: Education, Energy, Green Space, Health and Well-Being, Transportation, Waste and Water)
- Local Sourcing and Fair Trade Offerings
- Sustainability Measurements
- Sustainability Expectations: Purchase and transport of food; sustainable preparation objectives; waste reduction measures
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:
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:
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:
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.