| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 68.42 |
| Liaison | Andrew D'Amico |
| Submission Date | Aug. 25, 2021 |
Princeton University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.25 / 3.00 |
Joseph
Woodward Senior Associate Director Procurement Services, Office of the VP for Finance and Treasurer |
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 University includes language in procurement policies which support and require sustainable purchasing.
For example, 100% recycled paper is our standard, we are consolidating printing on energy-efficient and toner cartridge-reducing multi-function devices, and office supplies deliveries are made via reusable containers. In addition, Procurement Services addresses diversity and sustainability as part of our sourcing events.
In the Sustainability Action Plan, released in 2019, contained the following objective: “Strive for zero waste through behavioral and operational strategies that include reduction, reuse and recycling criteria in purchasing decisions, and expand these criteria to encourage social and environmental benefits in the full life cycle of purchased goods and services.”
The Sustainability Action Plan also includes the following sustainable purchasing action items:
“Advance sustainable procurement through University policies and practices, with the potential to catalyze environmental and social change in supply chains, from producer to consumer.
Align effective sustainable purchasing and waste management practices across campus through coordinated departmental action plans.”
The following language is taken directly from the Bid Criteria document which is required to be viewed when a supplier desires to participate in a sourcing event through our electronic sourcing portal:
“Princeton University is committed to measuring, assessing and minimizing the environmental impact of the goods and services provided by its supply base. The University seeks to partner with suppliers who demonstrate these actions whenever possible.”
And, “Princeton University is committed to diversity and inclusion. Suppliers who are certified diverse suppliers are encouraged to participate in all sourcing events. Diversity information should be included as part of your submission to be included in the evaluation process.
Finally, the University actively participates in local, regional and national sustainability and supplier diversity events as part of our supplier diversity strategy. These include hosting minority Chamber of Commerce meetings and presenting at an Institute of Supply Management meeting as well as attending many other events in the greater Philadelphia/New York City area.
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 Facilities Design Standards Manual prescribes LCCA requirements for sizable capital project purchases, including but not limited to envelope, energy systems, water systems, structural systems, electrical systems, interior finishes. See the Facilities Design Standards Manual, Sustainability chapter for requirements: https://princetonu.sharepoint.com/:f:/s/facilitiesshare/Evq5zWp8GLtAhSqEoOwWTUgBburc9dRp85bEkM5pie8IhQ?e=Ois5XP
In addition to the project requirements listed above, the Facilities Engineering Department utilizes LCCA as part of the budgeting process for every major energy plant equipment purchase. There are no specific published requirements for this internal exercise, but it closely aligns with the methods outlined in the Facilities Design Standards Manual for construction and renovation projects.
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:
The University adheres to the following statement: The Building Services department will utilize Green Seal-certified products and/or Electrically Activated Water for all daily use cleaning products. Further, the department will expand processes for refinishing floors without the use of conventional floor stripper. All restroom hand soap throughout the University is Green Seal-certified. At this time, the University’s primary disinfectants are not Green Seal certified.
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:
It is Princeton University policy to purchase and use 100% post-consumer paper for all general office needs. Additional criteria to be applied for consumable office products are listed on the following website: https://sustain.princeton.edu/resources/green-your-event/sustainable-purchasing
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:
While durability, maintenance and aesthetics have historically been the primary criteria for materials selection, as documented in this Princeton University Design Standards Manual, social, health, and environmental considerations must also be considered. Design teams are encouraged to include embodied carbon, hazard avoidance, and other relevant climate, health, and social criteria when choosing materials and products. Any materials that will be used in significant quantities on a project should be considered as subjects for an Integrative Design Assessment.
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:
For electronics specifically, the University seeks out those that are EPEAT™ registered. In addition, when selecting supplier partners, our evaluation criteria includes sustainability considerations that include EPEAT certification, the use of remanufactured/recycled content, and end-of-life considerations.
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:
While there are no specific published sustainability criteria, sustainability-focused questions are included in each “Request for Proposal” (RFP) published for food-related products and/or services. For instance, both the Vending RFP executed in 2020 and the Hospitality Management RFP executed in 2019-20 contained such questions.
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:
While there are no specific published sustainability criteria, sustainability-focused questions are included in each RFP published for food-related products and/or services. For instance, the following sustainability-focused questions were included in the RFP for linen providers, most recently utilized in 2019:
What systems, if any, do you have in place to minimize the environmental impact of your wastewater?
Do you use Green Seal certified detergents in your cleaning process?
With Princeton University’s commitment to minimizing environmental impact, please outline other notable efforts and achievements your organization has accomplished in support of these values as it relates to: 1. The manufacture, storage and delivery of goods and/or services your organization provides. 2. The general operations of your business.
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:
In support of the design, construction and operations side of the University, there is RFP language in conjunction with the University Design Standards manual that sets the tone for professional services procurement. A series of questions as well as an interview process that stems from these documents aid in evaluating how a professional fulfills the sustainability needs of the project.
Princeton University employs a robust due diligence process to ensure that prospective team members foster a sense of collaboration in a transdisciplinary environment. The University has internally facing templates for verifying compliance. Importantly, these documents are modified on a project by project basis to align the sustainability criteria of a given job with selection requirements. These internal documents are not available for public review.
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:
Additional Links:
https://finance.princeton.edu/our-organization/departments-people/financial-services/procurement-services/
Grounds to Grow On: K-Cup Pod Recovery Program: https://sustain.princeton.edu/recycle
Additional Links:
https://finance.princeton.edu/our-organization/departments-people/financial-services/procurement-services/
Grounds to Grow On: K-Cup Pod Recovery Program: https://sustain.princeton.edu/recycle
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.