Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 66.57
Liaison Rebecca Collins
Submission Date Dec. 14, 2023

STARS v2.2

Temple University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.25 / 3.00 Rebecca Collins
Director of Sustainability
Office of Sustainability
"---" 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:
---

The policies, guidelines or directives:
Use of Minority or Women Business Enterprise (MBE/WBE) Vendors
Temple University is committed to dealing with all suppliers with an ethical manner to support and encourage business with diverse groups. Temple University's policy is to provide opportunities to all diverse suppliers which include but not limited to minority and women owned businesses. Temple University encourages all internal departments to include diverse suppliers when looking to source a service or commodity. It is Temple University's commitment to do business with any supplier that can provide competitive price and quality for services and commodities which meet Temple University's business needs.
https://diversity.temple.edu/supplier-diversity

Additionally, the University has published the following sustainable purchasing policies that are applicable to all business unit purchasing products with University dollars.

Vehicle and Motorized Equipment Purchase and Lease Policy
Green Cleaning Policy
Office Supply Green Purchasing Guidelines
Paper and Paper Product Green Purchasing Guidelines

https://sustainability.temple.edu/plans-reports-and-resources

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 less comprehensively, e.g. for certain types of systems or projects and not others

A brief description of the LCCA policy and/or practices:
Temple's Green Revolving Fund was established so that we could invest in systems that have a greater upfront cost but will reduce energy, potable water, and carbon during the systems useful life. Life cycle costs are considered when replacing existing systems.

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:
In FY17, Temple University made the switch to a green cleaning line. The university requires its cleaning products (with the exception of its quaternary disinfectant) to meet independent verified green cleaning standards. Products used on campus must meet the following criteria:

-Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified (paper products);
-Green Seal certified; or,
-EPA Safer Choice labeled.

Information on the published policy and procedure is located here:
https://sustainability.temple.edu/plans-reports-and-resources

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:
The university has integrated Green Purchasing Policies for office supplies and paper into our office supply and printer services contracts.

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:
The construction and renovation sustainability criteria for construction and renovation products is published in the Green building policy, which was formerly adopted in Temple's Visualize Temple Master Plan. The policy sets forth:

• Maximizing recycled materials in construction projects is a
goal for every building project, with a minimum goal for each
project of 20%.
• Using materials for new construction that are easily recycled at
the end of their life is encouraged.
• The use of durable and quality materials will extend the use
of a facility and minimize costs for maintenance and future
renovations will be encouraged.
• Utilize local and regional materials to the greatest extent
possible.
• Utilize rapidly-renewable materials and certified wood products
to the greatest extent possible.
indoor environments & health
• No chlorofluorocarbons (CFC) in any new equipment.
• Low-volatile organic compounds (VOC) paints, sealants and
carpet systems are the standard.
• Materials that can be cleaned and maintained with the products
carrying the Green Seal are preferred over alternatives.
• Every building is encouraged to pursue the Leadership in
Energy & Environmental Design (LEED) innovation credit for
Active Design.
https://temple.engage.sasaki.com/#process

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:
The university is required to buy Energy Star Rated equipment. EPEAT is a consideration of major technology service contracts and purchases. The majority of Temple's electronic purchases are EPEAT Gold certified.

Food service providers

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

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food service providers:
---

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:
---

Professional service providers

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

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional service providers:
Basic Services, LEED:
Official LEED (Silver) Certification is a required part of the project. This project’s design must be consistent with the latest guidelines for New Construction/additions, or better.

Basic Services, Sustainability:
As a signatory of the ACUPCC, Owner is committed to achieving a high level of sustainability in the design and operations of all university-related projects. It is anticipated that all design team members will be trained in and committed to sustainable design practices, that sustainable design will be an integral philosophy incorporated by the design team, and that Owner’s commitment to sustainable design will be reflected in the resulting design.

Transportation and fuels

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

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
---

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:
FY23
https://www.temple.edu/purchasing/policies_procedures.htm#MBE

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.