| Overall Rating | Platinum |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 86.83 |
| Liaison | Mark Lichtenstein |
| Submission Date | Feb. 28, 2023 |
State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 3.00 |
Delaney
Demro Sustainability Planning & Institutional Alignment Manager Office of Sustainability |
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:
ESF Green Purchasing and Break Free from Plastics Policy:
In November 2021, ESF adopted its Green Purchasing and Break Free from Plastics Policy. This policy set ESF's zero waste goals, reiterates ESF's commitment to follow New York State's GreenNY Purchasing Specifications, and identifies many single-use plastics that can no longer be purchased with State funding for use on College property or for College events.
for the full policy, see the attached policy document or follow this link: https://www.esf.edu/sustainability/projects/documents/break_free_plastic_green_purchasing_policy.pdf
The SUNY-wide Green Purchasing Policy:
https://system.suny.edu/procurement/green-purchasing/
On April 28, 2008, the New York Governor signed an executive order establishing a New York State "Green Procurement and Agency Sustainability Program," to promote policies within state agencies and authorities that reduce the consumption of materials and energy and reduce potential impacts on public health and the environment. As a result, SUNY is required, where applicable, to purchase environmentally-friendly commodities, services and technology and develop sustainability and stewardship programs.
https://ogs.ny.gov/greenny/executive-order-4-approved-specifications
The SUNY-wide Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) Program:
This SUNY program strives to assure that MWBE firms around New York State are given equal opportunities to have business with all SUNY campuses in various fields including construction, construction consultants, commodities and consultant/services.
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:
A LCCA is used mainly in the construction and operation of campus facilities. The State University Construction Fund directive 1B-7 mandates that buildings are designed (both renovation and construction) in adherence to the requirements of EO 88. Section 4 c requires a detailed payback analysis of each system, including a computer analysis utilizing annualized weather data. Appendix A describes the modeling. The benchmark is ASHRAE 90.1-2010 PRM.
LCCA is also used in operational purchasing. For example, LCCA is employed to analyze products that impact utility consumption on equipment such as pumps and motors.
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:
ESF shall purchase cleaning materials/products, disposable janitorial paper products and trash bags that comply with the criteria found in the College's Green Cleaning Program
https://www.esf.edu/sustainability/projects/documents/green_cleaning_policy.pdf
More information included in OP 9 and OP 13
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:
Per the New York State GreenNY Printing specification and ESF's Green Purchasing Policy, all affected state entity publications shall be printed on 100% post-consumer recycled content paper. Where paper with 100% post-consumer recycled content is not available or does not meet the required form, function and utility, paper procurements shall use post-consumer recycled content to the greatest extent practicable. Non-recycled content shall be derived from a sustainably-managed renewable resource and certified as such through an appropriate third-party certification program recognized by the paper industry, such as the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) or Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) to the greatest extent practicable, unless the cost of the product is not competitive. To the maximum extent practicable and whenever feasible, affected state entities shall apply these standards to other printed items such as brochures, envelopes, letterheads, business cards, and forms. In addition, affected state entities are encouraged to print publications and other printed items on processed chlorine free (PCF) paper to the maximum extent practicable.
A recycled paper logo or the words “Printed on Recycled Paper” shall be printed on all affected state entity publications printed on recycled paper.
Duplexing and Reporting of Paper Use:
All affected state entity publications shall be printed on two sides to the maximum extent practicable.
All contracts for printing shall require the contractor to report to the ordering entity on the invoice the amount of paper used by weight or volume of finished product.
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:
Sustainable Materials and Supplies Purchasing Policy:
https://www.esf.edu/employees/policies/sustainability/policy-sustainable-cleaning.php
ESF has committed to reducing the environmental impact of materials and supplies including office paper, office equipment, furniture, furnishings, and building materials through the purchasing criteria stated in these policies.
https://www.esf.edu/sustainability/projects/sus_maint_reno_policy.pdf
https://www.esf.edu/sustainability/projects/break_free_plastic_green_purchasing_policy.pdf
SUNY ESF also follows the GreenNY Furniture Specification:
https://ogs.ny.gov/greenny/furniture
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:
ESF follows the NYS GreenNY specifications for computers and displays, imaging equipment (printers & copiers), and rechargeable batteries. These specifications include environmental performance, packaging, disclosure and recycling guidelines.
The full specification texts can be found here:
https://ogs.ny.gov/greenny/computers-and-displays
https://ogs.ny.gov/greenny/imaging-equipment
https://ogs.ny.gov/greenny/aaa-aa-and-d-batteries
ESF Computer and Network Services advises that Departments/units purchase Dell Latitude (5000 series or higher) laptops and Optiplex (5000 series or higher) desktops. These computers meet EPEAT specifications.
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:
In 2021, the College removed all plastic beverage containers from campus vending machines.
ESF follows the NYS GreenNY specification for food service containers and wrappers, single-use food service utensils, and state funded food.
https://ogs.ny.gov/greenny/food-service-containers-and-wrappers
https://ogs.ny.gov/greenny/single-use-food-service-utensils
https://ogs.ny.gov/greenny/state-funded-food
The goal is to increase sustainable practices in the State of New York’s food
service operations by encouraging the purchase and use of reusable food service containers and establishing minimum specifications for single-use food service containers and wrappers. The specification establishes a hierarchy of environmentally desirable attributes as follows: reusable; compostable in a commercial or municipal facility; easily recyclable; and made with a minimum percentage of postconsumer recycled content or sustainably harvested content.
In addition, all covered products purchased by affected entities, offered by preferred sources, or on State contract shall not contain perfluorinated chemicals (PFCs) or polystyrene.
The Ranger School, Newcomb Dining Facility and Trailhead Café all currently operate reusable container programs, which prioritize the use of durable materials over single-use products. Single use to go products offered at the Trailhead Café are compostable, to the greatest extent practicable.
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:
ESF follows the SUNY System's anti-sweatshop policy and a corresponding anti-sweatshop procedure.
The SUNY Anti-Sweatshop Policy (policy #7559) and the anti-sweatshop procedure (procedure #7560), governs purchases of apparel, textiles, and sports equipment. In accordance with that procedure, anytime ESF or its contractors purchases any of those kinds of items from a vendor, the College requires the vendor to complete a Certification of Compliance with Fair Labor Conditions form, which requires the vendor to certify that the manufacturing of the items the College will be buying "will be done in compliance with all applicable labor and occupational safety laws including but not limited to child labor laws, wage and hour laws and workplace safety laws" (https://www.esf.edu/business/purchasing/policies/index.php).
ESF also follows the NYS GreenNY specification for apparel and textile materials:
https://ogs.ny.gov/greenny/apparel-and-textile-materials
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:
ESF follows the State University Construction Fund and SUNY's guidance regarding procuring architectural and engineering contracts, and this guidance includes factors such as energy conservation, indoor environmental quality, accessibility, and other sustainability factors.
CF and contractors hired to provided professional services (e.g., architectural, engineering) are required to comply with Directive 1B-2 Net Zero Carbon New Buildings and Deep Energy Retrofits of Existing Buildings and Directivtive 1B-7 Sustainability, LEED and Executive Orders,
https://www.sucf.suny.edu/pdf/dir/1B-2.pdf
https://www.sucf.suny.edu/pdf/dir/1B-7.pdf
The Minority and Women Owned Business Enterprise (MWBE) Program of the State University Construction Fund works to assure that MWBE firms are provided the opportunity to share in construction, professional services and supplier opportunities offered by the Fund.
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:
Under the NYS GreenNY program there are 11 approved specifications in the transportation category such as for pavement sealer, road salts, pavement marking paint, passenger cars, lubricating oils and more.
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.