Princeton University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

The University includes language in procurement policies which support and require sustainable purchasing.

For example, Princeton uses 100% recycled paper, encourages the purchase of 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. 

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.

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, and 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. This internal exercise has no specific published requirements, but it closely aligns with the methods outlined in the Facilities Design Standards Manual for construction and renovation projects.

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 strippers. All restroom hand soap throughout the University is Green Seal-certified. Currently, the University’s primary disinfectants are not Green Seal certified. 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. "

The criteria to be applied for consumable office products are listed on the following website: https://sustain.princeton.edu/resources/green-your-event/sustainable-purchasing

In addition to providing information regarding sustainable purchasing, this site references the following policy: “When purchasing any good or service, keep the University’s sustainability efforts in mind by seeking recycled and environment-friendly products. Recycled office supplies are available from WB Mason, the University's preferred contract supplier for office paper and supplies. It is Princeton University policy to purchase and use 100% post-consumer paper for all general office needs.”

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 subjects for an Integrative Design Assessment.

Princeton staff are encouraged to purchase from Resource Recovery, an internal program that resells used University furniture and furnishings.

For electronics specifically, the University seeks out those that are EPEAT™ registered. In addition, when selecting supplier partners, our evaluation criteria include sustainability considerations, including EPEAT certification, the use of remanufactured/recycled content, and end-of-life considerations.

The University Design Standards Manual sets the tone for professional services procurement in Capital Projects and Design. 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 prospective team members foster 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.