Rochester Institute of Technology
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.75 / 3.00 |
Enid
Cardinal Senior Sustainability Advisor to the President Office of the President |
"---"
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:
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The policies, guidelines or directives:
6.8 Sustainable Procurement Standards RIT strives to conduct its activities in an ecologically and economically sound manner and promotes responsible consumption and environmentally sound practices among all members of the University community. RIT recognizes that sustainable purchasing is a critical component of preserving our natural resources, lowering operating costs, and minimizing waste; to this end RIT will:
• Specify, whenever possible and reasonable, the use of sustainable, environmentally friendly systems, equipment and materials.
• Ensure that all supplies, materials, equipment and services are procured at the lowest possible cost.
• Comply with all relevant procurement and environmental regulations.
• Investigate resource conservation, reuse and recycling options and encourage adoption by all members of the University community.
• Promote and maintain activities that encourage exchanges, swaps and resale of surplus products and supplies.
• Commit to purchasing Energy Star certified appliances and products. • Promote business with suppliers that consistently demonstrate sustainable and socially conscious business practices.
• Work within the University and in the broader community in which we reside to share experiences and encourage the adoption of sustainable practices.
• Develop and implement the use of assessment tools designed to evaluate the effectiveness of this policy and make changes where necessary
• Specify, whenever possible and reasonable, the use of sustainable, environmentally friendly systems, equipment and materials.
• Ensure that all supplies, materials, equipment and services are procured at the lowest possible cost.
• Comply with all relevant procurement and environmental regulations.
• Investigate resource conservation, reuse and recycling options and encourage adoption by all members of the University community.
• Promote and maintain activities that encourage exchanges, swaps and resale of surplus products and supplies.
• Commit to purchasing Energy Star certified appliances and products. • Promote business with suppliers that consistently demonstrate sustainable and socially conscious business practices.
• Work within the University and in the broader community in which we reside to share experiences and encourage the adoption of sustainable practices.
• Develop and implement the use of assessment tools designed to evaluate the effectiveness of this policy and make changes where necessary
Part 2. Life Cycle Cost Analysis
Yes
Which of the following best describes the institution’s use of LCCA?:
Institution employs LCCA less comprehensively, e.g. for certain types of systems or projects and not others
A brief description of the LCCA policy and/or practices:
LCCA is used during the design phase of building and renovation projects. It is part of the evaluation of building systems and equipment.
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:
RIT's Janitorial Supply and dining cleaning chemical rfp issued in 2018 included the following:
RIT has had a green cleaning program in place since 2006, when the New York State Green Cleaning Law was adopted for K-12 schools. The program includes the purchase of certified green cleaning products, waste reduction strategies, and staff training.
To further advance RIT’s green cleaning program, this RfP seeks quality, effective, environmentally preferable janitorial cleaning products that comply with the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED™ v4 Operations & Maintenance standard for “Green cleaning - products and materials” (http://www.usgbc.org/node/2614343).
RIT has had a green cleaning program in place since 2006, when the New York State Green Cleaning Law was adopted for K-12 schools. The program includes the purchase of certified green cleaning products, waste reduction strategies, and staff training.
To further advance RIT’s green cleaning program, this RfP seeks quality, effective, environmentally preferable janitorial cleaning products that comply with the U.S. Green Building Council’s (USGBC) LEED™ v4 Operations & Maintenance standard for “Green cleaning - products and materials” (http://www.usgbc.org/node/2614343).
Consumable office products
No
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for consumable office products:
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Furniture and furnishings
Yes
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for furniture and furnishings:
From RIT's design guidelines:
RIT recognizes that sustainability is a concept that seeks to provide the best outcomes for human and natural environments by meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Whenever possible the University attempts to foster sustainability. Include sourcing products that can be recycled or are biodegradable and that contain less toxic and hazardous chemicals and additives; source reduction; and solid waste reduction as well as purchasing local goods that are grown in environmentally sound ways or buying products through systems that produce the least amount of environmental pollutants. The University desires that the Provider foster sustainability and partner with the University in the expanding areas of sustainability.
RIT Has signed the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) striving to move campus activities to a position of emission neutrality. As a component of this commitment, all new construction will be designed to a minimum LEED Silver rating.
https://www.rit.edu/facilitiesmanagement/sites/rit.edu.facilitiesmanagement/files/Vendor%20Contractor%20Info/Design%20and%20Construction%20Guidelines/12%2000%2000%20-%20Furnishings.pdf
RIT recognizes that sustainability is a concept that seeks to provide the best outcomes for human and natural environments by meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Whenever possible the University attempts to foster sustainability. Include sourcing products that can be recycled or are biodegradable and that contain less toxic and hazardous chemicals and additives; source reduction; and solid waste reduction as well as purchasing local goods that are grown in environmentally sound ways or buying products through systems that produce the least amount of environmental pollutants. The University desires that the Provider foster sustainability and partner with the University in the expanding areas of sustainability.
RIT Has signed the American College and University Presidents’ Climate Commitment (ACUPCC) striving to move campus activities to a position of emission neutrality. As a component of this commitment, all new construction will be designed to a minimum LEED Silver rating.
https://www.rit.edu/facilitiesmanagement/sites/rit.edu.facilitiesmanagement/files/Vendor%20Contractor%20Info/Design%20and%20Construction%20Guidelines/12%2000%2000%20-%20Furnishings.pdf
Information Technology (IT) and equipment
No
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for Information Technology (IT) and equipment:
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Food service providers
Yes
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food service providers:
RIT dining services is self operated. Sustainability language in included in vender RfP's and contracts.
The following language was included in the University's pouring rights RfP:
Section E of the Evaluation Criteria: Sustainability (Green Strategy)
RIT is committed to sustainability and strives to continually strengthen our efforts through our suppliers and campus partners. Please elaborate on the following items:
Vendor/corporate sustainability:
Please describe your company’s commitment and approach to sustainability.
Vendor/corporate diversity:
Please describe how diversity and inclusion is promoted within your company.
Describe your company supplier diversity program and available metrics.
Solid waste minimization:
Please describe your process to partner with RIT to reduce waste associated with vending operations, support campus recycling efforts, achieve zero waste status in the new ice arena and advertise waste minimization efforts on campus.
Please describe your use of sustainable materials in your products and processes.
Energy efficiency:
Please describe your plan to optimize equipment utilization and minimize associated energy consumption.
Bottled water elimination:
RIT intends to eliminate the sale of flat, unflavored, bottled water on campus during the term of this agreement. Please describe your experience with other similar initiatives and how you will support this effort including innovative vending or alternate solutions
The following language was included in the University's pouring rights RfP:
Section E of the Evaluation Criteria: Sustainability (Green Strategy)
RIT is committed to sustainability and strives to continually strengthen our efforts through our suppliers and campus partners. Please elaborate on the following items:
Vendor/corporate sustainability:
Please describe your company’s commitment and approach to sustainability.
Vendor/corporate diversity:
Please describe how diversity and inclusion is promoted within your company.
Describe your company supplier diversity program and available metrics.
Solid waste minimization:
Please describe your process to partner with RIT to reduce waste associated with vending operations, support campus recycling efforts, achieve zero waste status in the new ice arena and advertise waste minimization efforts on campus.
Please describe your use of sustainable materials in your products and processes.
Energy efficiency:
Please describe your plan to optimize equipment utilization and minimize associated energy consumption.
Bottled water elimination:
RIT intends to eliminate the sale of flat, unflavored, bottled water on campus during the term of this agreement. Please describe your experience with other similar initiatives and how you will support this effort including innovative vending or alternate solutions
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
No
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
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Optional Fields
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
At a minimum, the following language is included in all RfP's that the university issues:
Sustainability:
Please outline your sustainability efforts considering the following information. RIT recognizes that sustainability is a concept that seeks to provide the best outcomes for human and natural environments by meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Whenever possible the University attempts to foster sustainability. Include sourcing products that can be recycled or are biodegradable and that contain less toxic and hazardous chemicals and additives; source reduction; and solid waste reduction as well as purchasing local goods that are grown in environmentally sound ways or buying products through systems that produce the least amount of environmental pollutants. The University desires that the Provider foster sustainability and partner with the University in the expanding areas of sustainability.
Sustainability:
Please outline your sustainability efforts considering the following information. RIT recognizes that sustainability is a concept that seeks to provide the best outcomes for human and natural environments by meeting the needs of the present generation without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their needs. Whenever possible the University attempts to foster sustainability. Include sourcing products that can be recycled or are biodegradable and that contain less toxic and hazardous chemicals and additives; source reduction; and solid waste reduction as well as purchasing local goods that are grown in environmentally sound ways or buying products through systems that produce the least amount of environmental pollutants. The University desires that the Provider foster sustainability and partner with the University in the expanding areas of sustainability.
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.