| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 70.01 |
| Liaison | Rebecca Walker |
| Submission Date | April 13, 2022 |
Southern Oregon University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.50 / 3.00 |
Rebecca
Walker Sustainability Manager Facilities, Management, Sustainability and Planning |
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:
And associated procedure
https://inside.sou.edu/assets/policies/Sustainability-and-Equity-in-Purchasing-Procedure_v3.pdf
There is a checklist in the procedure that is a requirement for all purchases over $25,000 and a guide for those under. And a prescriptive list for certain products and services that are purchased across campus.
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:
For all purchases over $25,000 including energy and water use and systems, it is a requirement to use a sustainability and equity checklist which includes looking at the life cycle and carbon intensity of the product through certain criteria. SOU also requires the sustainability credentials of its vendors.
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:
SOU has published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products detailed in the Sustianbality and Equity Purchasing Procedure, as presented below:
In the Sustainability Evaluation Criteria Checklist under Environmental Impacts: Is the product or service non-toxic or minimally toxic, and preferably biodegradable? When appropriate, has the purchase considered bio-based products, fuels, and solvents?
Chemicals and toxins (e.g., products used for building and facilities maintenance, cleaning, and
landscape management):
All chemicals and toxins -
A. For purchase and use of any chemicals and toxins, please also refer to the appropriate
policy (e.g., landscape management, integrated pest management, and green cleaning
policy).
B. Products and equipment should not contain lead or mercury unless an alternative is not
available. For products that contain lead or mercury, preference shall be given to those
products with lower quantities of these metals and to vendors with established lead and
mercury recovery programs.
Cleaning products -
A. Purchase cleaning products that reduce the exposure of building occupants and
custodial and maintenance staff to potentially harmful and hazardous contaminants that
may adversely affect air quality, human health, and building finishes.
Cleaning products should meet Green Seal Certification standards and should be
recommended for use by both internal and contracted vendors.
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:
SOU has published sustainability criteria for consumable office products, as presented below: In Sustainability and Equity Purchasing Procedure Section C2: Paper - Purchase recycled paper with a minimum of 30% post-consumer recycled content
(PCRC).
Toner Cartridges - Toner cartridges for laser printers must be remanufactured.
Inks - Bio-based or wax based inks are encouraged for printing operations.
Lamps - Purchased lamps shall have 60 picograms of mercury per lumen-hour or less; lumens
value will be based on the mean lumen output (design or actual). The rated life is the value based on a three-hour instant start.
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:
SOU has published sustainability criteria for furniture detailed in The Sustainability and Equity Purchasing Procedure, as presented below:
Furniture Preference will be given to recycled content, recyclability, durability and environmentally preferable materials.
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:
SOU has published sustainability criteria for Information Technology (IT) and equipment detailed in the Sustainability and Equity Purchasing Procedure, as presented below: Under Durable consumables section:
Information Technology equipment -
A. All end-user equipment (e.g., desktops, laptops, and monitors will meet Gold Rating
for the Electronic Product Environment Assessment Tool (EPEAT))
B. All enterprise equipment (e.g., networking, servers, and classroom technology will
meet Silver rating for the EPEAT)
Copiers and printers -
A. All copiers and printers purchased or leased shall be capable of double-sided
copying/printing. Use printing options that require confirmation to print to ensure
unneeded output is not printed.
B. Purchase and utilize networked printers or multifunctional printers in preference to
individual printers. These are faster, more network secure, cost less in toner, and use
less energy. They are also properly vented for air quality.
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:
SOU has published sustainability criteria for Food Services detailed in the Sustainability and Equity Purchasing Procedure, as presented below:
Food and drink:
A. SOU’s is committed to the Real Food Challenge and 20% of all purchases for campus
meeting Real Food Challenge criteria by 2023.
Single-use item in food and dining services:
A. Reuse options will be encouraged (e.g., bottle filling stations to discourage the sale on campus of water and other beverages in single-use items such as plastic bottles).
B. Avoid single-use items in food and dining services (e.g., cutlery, condiments, and containers)
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:
SOU has published sustainability criteria for Garments and Linens detailed in the Sustainability and Equity Purchasing Procedure, as presented below:
Garments and linens:
A. Promote organic practices or minimize the use of pesticides in the production of raw materials
B. Shortened transparent supply chain and locally produced where possible
C. Durable long-lasting clothing
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:
Southern Oregon University includes Requests for proposal (RFPs) for service providers in architectural, engineering, and public relations written in the Sustainability and Equity Purchasing Procedure. Where appropriate, SOU will include a clause in its bidding specifications that reads: "SOU is committed to buying products with recycled content or environmentally sustainable alternatives. Please offer any alternatives that you feel are available for this product and supply all relevant specific information about the product.”
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:
SOU has published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels as detailed in the Sustainability and Equity Purchasing Procedure, as presented below:
Vehicles and fuels -
Preference shall be given to electrical powered motorized vehicles and tools. Where
vehicles and tools are not electrical, preference will be given to less-polluting
alternatives to gas and diesel, such as compressed natural gas, bio-based fuels, hybrids,
electric batteries, and fuel cells, as available. Where alternative fuel options are not
feasible, preference shall be given to models with the best fuel economy (highest fuel
efficiency).
Bicycles - Support bicycles where appropriate and a bicycle-friendly campus
Air Travel - A fee is paid into a fund for all air travel to use towards sustainability initiatives on campus
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.