Skidmore College
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.25 / 3.00 |
Levi
Rogers Director of Sustainability Programs and Assessment Sustainability Office |
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:
Skidmore College believes our procurement decisions should match our institutional values and commitment to sustainability and responsible citizenship. We recognize that every purchase has an environmental and social impact, and we are committed to making procurement decisions that are environmentally and socially responsible and support a thriving local economy. Our commitment extends across product categories, including:
Paper Purchasing
Office Paper
All office printing paper will meet or exceed 30 percent post-consumer recycled content or will be Forest Stewardship Council MIX certified. Each office is responsible for adhering to this policy, and the College’s WB Mason account settings will direct users to products that meet these criteria.
Janitorial Paper Products
All janitorial paper products, including paper towels and bathroom tissue, will be made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled content or will be Forest Stewardship Council, Green Seal, or UL ECOLOGO certified.
IT/Electronic Purchasing
Skidmore College will give preference to electronics or appliances that are Energy STAR certified or meet or exceed EPEAT Gold certification standards when economically feasible. Qualifying electronics include desktop and notebook/laptop computers, displays, thin clients, tablets/slates, televisions and imaging equipment (copiers, digital duplicators, facsimile machines, mailing machines, multifunction devices, printers and scanners).
Fleet Vehicles
Skidmore College will consider alternative-fueled vehicles when making all fleet vehicle purchases. Skidmore will give preference to hybrid or alternative-fueled vehicles when economically feasible. Alternative-fueled vehicles include:
• Gasoline-electric hybrid;
• Diesel-electric hybrid;
• Plug-in hybrid;
• 100 percent electric (including electric-assist utility bicycles and tricycles);
• Fueled with Compressed Natural Gas (CNG);
• Hydrogen fueled;
• Fueled with B20 or higher biofuel for more than four months of the year; or
• Fueled with locally produced, low-level (e.g. B5) biofuel for more than four months of the year
(e.g. fuel contains cooking oil recovered and recycled on campus or in the local community). (AASHE STARS 2.1, 2016)
Cleaning Products
Skidmore College gives preference to Green Seal or UL ECOLOGO certified cleaning products, providing that these products meet all required performance standards and are economically feasible.
Standards
ENERGY STAR
ENERGY STAR is a U.S. Environmental Protection Agency program that includes frameworks to certify energy efficient buildings and products, and Portfolio Manager, an online tool to benchmark the energy and water performance of buildings.
EPEAT
EPEAT is a certification for computers and other electronic products. The standard’s evaluation criteria include energy efficiency, reduction and elimination of environmentally sensitive materials, materials selection, design for end-of-life, product longevity and life cycle extension, end-of-life management, corporate performance, and packaging characteristics. EPEAT currently registers products in 41 countries and regions.
Forest Stewardship Council
The Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) is an independent, non-profit organization that protects forests for future generations. FSC Chain-of-Custody certification traces the path of products from forests through the supply chain, verifying that FSC-certified material is identified or kept separated from non-certified material throughout the chain. FSC Forest Management certification confirms that a specific area of forest is being managed in line with the FSC Principles and Criteria.
UL ECOLOGO
The UL Environment ECOLOGO program certifies products, services and packaging for reduced environmental impact. ECOLOGO Certifications are voluntary, multi-attribute, lifecycle based environmental certifications that meet the ISO 14024 standards for eco- labeling.
(AASHE STARS Technical Manual, 2016)
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:
We conduct Life Cycle Cost Analysis at a minimum of 25 years. In some cases, such as building envelope and roof enhancement projects (adding additional R-value), we will look out 50 years.
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:
Skidmore College gives preference to Green Seal or UL ECOLOGO certified cleaning products, providing that these products meet all required performance standards and are economically feasible.
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:
Office Paper
All office printing paper will meet or exceed 30 percent post-consumer recycled content or will be Forest Stewardship Council MIX certified. Each office is responsible for adhering to this policy, and the College’s WB Mason account settings will direct users to products that meet these criteria.
Janitorial Paper Products
All janitorial paper products, including paper towels and bathroom tissue, will be made from 100 percent post-consumer recycled content or will be Forest Stewardship Council, Green Seal, or UL ECOLOGO certified.
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:
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:
Skidmore College will give preference to electronics or appliances that are Energy STAR certified or meet or exceed EPEAT Gold certification standards when economically feasible. Qualifying electronics include desktop and notebook/laptop computers, displays, thin clients, tablets/slates, televisions and imaging equipment (copiers, digital duplicators, facsimile machines, mailing machines, multifunction devices, printers and scanners).
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:
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:
Skidmore College is committed to providing opportunities to certified minority and women-owned vendors for procurement of goods and services under grants and contracts received from the State of New York and subject to Article 15-A of the New York Executive Law.
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:
Skidmore College will consider alternative-fueled vehicles when making all fleet vehicle purchases. Skidmore will give preference to hybrid or alternative-fueled vehicles when economically feasible. Alternative-fueled vehicles include:
• Gasoline-electric hybrid;
• Diesel-electric hybrid;
• Plug-in hybrid;
• 100 percent electric (including electric assist utility bicycles and tricycles);
• Fueled with Compressed Natural Gas (CNG);
• Hydrogen fueled;
• Fueled with B20 or higher biofuel for more than four months of the year; or
• Fueled with locally produced, low-level (e.g. B5) biofuel for more than four months of the year
(e.g. fuel contains cooking oil recovered and recycled on campus or in the local community). (AASHE STARS 2.1, 2016)
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.