Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 65.20
Liaison Olivia Conner-Bennett
Submission Date March 2, 2020

STARS v2.2

Stevens Institute of Technology
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 3.00 / 3.00 Joe Cassidy
AVP
Finance
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Part 1. Institution-wide sustainable procurement policies

Does the institution have written policies, guidelines, or directives that seek to support sustainable purchasing across multiple commodity categories institution-wide?:
Yes

A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
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The policies, guidelines or directives:
The Stevens Institute of Technology Procurement Department supports the purchasing of environmentally friendly goods and services whenever practicable. These preferences include:
• Preference for purchasing electronics which are EPEAT (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool) and/or Energy Star certified.
• Preference for purchasing recycled office paper that is Forest Stewardship Council certified over virgin paper (paper that has not been recycled before)
• Working with vendors that provide options to purchase recycled materials – ie: Staples
• Purchasing furniture manufactured from responsibly sourced materials and compliant with standards established by Greenguard Environmental Institute.

The Procurement department will furnish internal clients with a list of vendors that provide options for recycled/sustainable products upon request.

Part 2. Life Cycle Cost Analysis 

Does the institution employ Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) when evaluating energy- and water-using products and systems?:
Yes

Which of the following best describes the institution’s use of LCCA?:
Institution employs LCCA as a matter of policy and standard practice when evaluating all energy- and water-using products, systems and building components

A brief description of the LCCA policy and/or practices:
While there is no formal policy regarding Life Cycle Cost Analysis, LCCA is employed as a general practice across all departments when evaluating energy and water-using products and systems. An example of this is the installation of LED light fixtures that have a much longer life span and reduce labor and energy use in the long term. Other examples include the purchasing of water bottle refill stations/water fountains and the installation of more efficient HVAC equipment and solar panels. Stevens is dedicated to making these types of investments in products that provide lower costs over their life.

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

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating chemically intensive products and services?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:
- Landscaping and grounds management has moved to an all organic program that is maintained with all electric equipment, not diesel. (Ex: electric leaf blower)
- Stevens has recently elected to switch to all tree-free toilet paper and hand towels for bathrooms.
- Janitorial contractor was selected due to availability of green cleaning offerings.
- All paint purchased must be low VOC.

See sustainability purchasing webpage for more info.

Consumable office products

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating consumable office products?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for consumable office products:
Stevens purchases paper and many office supplies from Staples through their sustainability program.

There is a stated reference for purchasing recycled office paper that is Forest Stewardship Council certified over virgin paper (paper that has not been recycled before).

See sustainability purchasing webpage for more info.

Furniture and furnishings

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating furniture and furnishings?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for furniture and furnishings:
Stevens contracts with a vendor solely offering previously used furniture. All new furniture must be low VOC.

Criteria for new furniture and finishes will incorporate standards from:
Cradle to Cradle Certification
Scientific Certification Sciences Indoor Advantage Certification
Greenguard Environmental Institute
Forest Stewardship Council

See sustainability purchasing webpage for more info.

Information Technology (IT) and equipment

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating Information technology (IT) and equipment?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for Information Technology (IT) and equipment:
There is a stated preference for EPEAT and/or ENERGY STAR certified machines.

See sustainability purchasing webpage for more info.

Food service providers

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food service providers?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food service providers:
Exhibit G of Dining Services Provider contract details all sustainability requirements. See document attached.

Garments and linens 

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating garments and linens?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for garments and linens:
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Professional service providers

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating professional service providers?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional service providers:
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Transportation and fuels

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating transportation and fuels?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
All new fleet vehicles that are purchased must be hybrid or electric.

https://www.stevens.edu/about-stevens/sustainability/transportation-and-sustainability

Optional Fields 

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:
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