| Overall Rating | Silver |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 61.55 |
| Liaison | Melissa Cadwell |
| Submission Date | Jan. 7, 2022 |
Syracuse University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.50 / 3.00 |
Melissa
Cadwell Sustainability Coordinator Energy Systems & Sustainability Management |
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:
Sustainable Purchasing Policy Statement
Syracuse University is committed to the purchase and use of environmentally and socially responsible materials, goods, and services that conserve energy and natural resources and minimize damage to the environment and human health. This encompasses all stages of a product’s life cycle, including production, use, and disposal.
Individuals expending University funds should select ecologically friendly products whenever reasonably practical, meaning that (1) a sustainable product is readily and reliably available; (2) the sustainable product can perform its intended function generally as well as a non-sustainable one; and (3) the cost of the sustainable product is either approximately similar to that of a non-sustainable product or is higher but can be justified on the basis of long-term savings.
The Purchasing Office will recommend appropriate goods and services to all departments.
Diversity
The Office of Purchasing Services guides and supports the University’s ongoing commitment to encourage business opportunities and diversity among its suppliers by promoting minority and local business development as a shared responsibility throughout the University. Through this effort, we open doors in University departments and increase awareness of minority and local suppliers. We work to create opportunities for local, minority, women, veteran, and LGBTQ-owned business through goods and services we purchase.
The goal of the Program is to provide a resource that will assist the University community in locating and establishing relationships with small and disadvantaged and local businesses and to assure compliance with applicable state and federal regulations for sponsored fund reporting.
Mission, Vision, and Strategies
Mission
Strategically deploy the University’s purchasing power to maximize opportunities for small, local, and diverse businesses and to positively drive Syracuse University’s economic impact.
Vision
Create a successful program which incorporates the following key elements:
Support and review from university senior leadership Ensure goals and objectives are tied to the University’s mission Focus program resources on continuous improvement of the program Garner participation from the campus community Monitoring of goals and accomplishments Strategies
Educate suppliers regarding how to conduct business with the University. Give reasonable business opportunity to minority-owned; women-owned; small disadvantaged; HUBZone; veteran-owned; and service-disabled, veteran-owned and local businesses
Encourage purchases of goods and services from such concerns to the fullest extent possible, consistent with this policy and the efficient performance of operations
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:
Follows engineering standards:
23 05 00 - General Mechanical Requirements
The HVAC system in a building has to be properly evaluated by the engineer to provide energy efficiency, maintainability, and provide a healthy safe environment for the building occupants. The University has a divers variety of project requirements and the HVAC system needs to be designed to meet the specific needs of the program while complying with the requirements of this standard.
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:
Syracuse University uses an EProcurement on-line requisitioning system in PeopleSoft Financials. By utilizing this purchasing method, the requisitioner is provided with a more streamlined experience, with on-line search capability for required information, and automated workflow for approvals. Part of the system is to recognized preferred sustainable consumables for our buildings, grounds and maintenance.
The system ensures we are shown the following criteria when choosing a product:
• Green Seal(R) Certified
• Safer Choice Certified (Meets U.S. EPA Safer Product Standards)
• Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI)(R) Certified
• USDA Certified Biobased Product, Meets SCAQMD Requirements
• Carbonfree(R) Certified
• ECOLOGO(R) Certified
• Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI)(R) Certified
• Product Contains a Minimum of 100% Post-Consumer Recycled Content
• Product Contains a Minimum of 90% Post-Consumer Recycled Content
• Product Contains a Minimum of 70% Pre-Consumer Recycled Content
• Product Contains a Minimum of 50% Post-Consumer Recycled Content
• Product Contains a Minimum of 30% Post-Consumer Recycled Content
• Product is made from a Rapidly Renewable Resource
• Safer Choice Certified (Meets U.S. EPA Safer Product Standards)
• Total VOC Emissions Less Than or Equal To 0.5 mg/m³ and Formaldehyde Emissions Less Than or Equal To 0.05 ppm
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:
Syracuse University is committed to the purchase and use of environmentally and socially responsible materials, goods, and services that conserve energy and natural resources and minimize damage to the environment and human health. This encompasses all stages of a product’s life cycle, including production, use, and disposal.
Syracuse University uses an EProcurement on-line requisitioning system in PeopleSoft Financials. By utilizing this purchasing method, the requisitioner is provided with a more streamlined experience, with on-line search capability for required information, and automated workflow for approvals. Part of the system is to recognize preferred sustainable consumables for our buildings, grounds and maintenance.
The system ensures we are shown the following criteria when choosing a product:
• Minority owned
• Sustainable Forest Initiative (SFI)(R) Certified
• Product Contains a Minimum of 100% Post-Consumer Recycled Content
• Product Contains a Minimum of 90% Post-Consumer Recycled Content
• Product Contains a Minimum of 70% Pre-Consumer Recycled Content
• Product Contains a Minimum of 50% Post-Consumer Recycled Content
• Product Contains a Minimum of 30% Post-Consumer Recycled Content
• Exceeds EPA standards for minimum post consumer waste content: facial tissue 10%. Packaging contains 34%
post-consumer recycled content, 55% total recycled content
• Product is made from a Rapidly Renewable Resource
• Safer Choice Certified (Meets U.S. EPA Safer Product Standards)
• AP Certified Non-Toxic
• Total VOC Emissions Less Than or Equal To 0.5 mg/m³ and Formaldehyde Emissions Less Than or Equal To 0.05
ppm
• Product can be recycled where proper facilities exist to collect and recycle food-contaminated paper and/or
plastic products.
• Made from 100% renewable resources.
All toner cartridges are directly sent back to the companies to be recycle or they are sent to our centralized Mail Services to be sent to
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:
Syracuse University Campus Planning Design and Construction is committed to using sustainable furnishings when possible.
Syracuse University uses an EProcurement on-line requisitioning system in PeopleSoft Financials. By utilizing this purchasing method, the requisitioner is provided with a more streamlined experience, with on-line search capability for required information, and automated workflow for approvals. Part of the system is to recognize preferred sustainable consumables for our buildings, grounds, and maintenance.
Syracuse University Campus Planning Design and Construction is committed to using sustainable furnishings when possible.
Furniture:
• Preferred preference for purchase furniture from vendors who use low VOC particle board
• All furniture purchases do not use Flame retardants in the upholstery
• Preferred preference for low=-VOC’s
• Office furniture is purchased to last longer by purchasing pieces they may cost more up front
but will last longer.
o They furniture can be reconfigured, or re-upholstered.
• Office Chairs - The Herman Miller Aeron chair, our standard, is made to be recycled when know
longer needed.
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:
Syracuse University is committed to the purchase and use of environmentally and socially responsible materials, goods, and services that conserve energy and natural resources and minimize damage to the environment and human health. This encompasses all stages of a product’s life cycle, including production, use, and disposal.
- All Apple and Dell computers are EPEAT certified
- Microsoft Teams is the preferred web meeting service
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:
• Our food service provide is self-operated and must follow all rules and
regulations set by the University, including paying a fair living wage to our
employees.
• Food services prefers to use local vendors, with in 250 miles of Syracuse NY
• Food services prefers using green cleaning supplies throughout their facilities
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:
Diversity
The Office of Purchasing Services guides and supports the University’s ongoing commitment to encourage business opportunities and diversity among its suppliers by promoting minority and local business development as a shared responsibility throughout the University. Through this effort, we open doors in University departments and increase awareness of minority and local suppliers. We work to create opportunities for local, minority, women, veteran, and LGBTQ-owned business through goods and services we purchase.
The goal of the Program is to provide a resource that will assist the University community in locating and establishing relationships with small and disadvantaged and local businesses and to assure compliance with applicable state and federal regulations for sponsored fund reporting.
Strategically deploy the University’s purchasing power to maximize opportunities for small, local, and diverse businesses and to positively drive Syracuse University’s economic impact.
• Give reasonable business opportunity to minority-owned; women-owned; small disadvantaged; HUBZone; veteran-owned; and service-disabled, veteran-owned and local businesses
• Encourage purchases of goods and services from such concerns to the fullest extent possible, consistent with this policy and the efficient performance of operations
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:
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.