| Overall Rating | Platinum |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 86.17 |
| Liaison | James Gordon |
| Submission Date | May 31, 2022 |
Thompson Rivers University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 3.00 |
James
Gordon Environmental Programs and Research Coordinator TRU Office of Environment and 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:
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:
TRU Life Cycle Cost Analysis practices for energy and water-using products and systems:
Whenever energy and/or water-using products and systems will be purchased, TRU Campus Infrastructure and Sustainability (formerly a combination of Facilities Services Division and the Sustainability Office), TRU Procurement Services, and any other TRU office/department (such as researchers) and/or outside organizations/individuals with relevant expertise carry out a Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA). The possibility of accessing third-party rebates and/or incentives is always factored into the purchase plan for such equipment/systems in order to make the LCCA as attractive as possible over time.
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:
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:
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:
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:
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:
TRU Food Services last went to competitive bid for a vendor in 2012 and this is a long-term contract which will expire in 2027, if all the extension terms are used.
Below were the proposal requirements in the 2012 RFP document which were scored under the “Operating Plan” section, which was 20% of the value of the scoring for the bid. When TRU will go out for competitive bid again in 2026-27, it is planned that 'Sustainability' will have its own category and scoring, and will include more advanced topics such as social engagement, living wage, zero-waste management, etc..
In the 2012 RPF for vendors, the Sustainability Parameters read:
"Consistent with the University’s values for sustainability, Thompson
Rivers University should set the sustainability performance objectives
higher than the current systems and infrastructure can support and
advocate bringing the local systems and infrastructure up to its standards,
rather than be constantly lagging behind the current standards and
available municipal services.
Some examples of sustainable practices that should be adopted within
the University and the foodservice program include:
• Selection of cleaning supplies
• Composting.
• Reduced carbon footprint.
• Reduced packaging.
• Compostable packaging
• Using local suppliers and growers
• Reducing food miles
• Use of organic foods
• Increased use of technology to reduce paper
• Energy saving equipment
• Water conservation
• Develop an on campus farmers’ market
• Support sustainable growing practices and animal care
• Donate perishable food items to a local charity or food bank at the end of each semester
When selecting a foodservice management firm, the University will
place a heavy weighting on the ability of a firm to demonstrate both
commitment and capability in this area, based upon success at other
campuses."
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:
TRU has the LICENSED PRODUCT PURCHASING Policy that deals with all TRU garments bearing the TRU logo: https://www.tru.ca/__shared/assets/Garments_and_linens42938.pdf
The policy reads: "Thompson Rivers University is committed to ensuring that those products which are licensed to bear the TRU logo are produced in a socially responsible and ethical manner. TRU is a member of the Worker Rights Consortium and has adopted the Worker Rights Consortium’s Code of Conduct. In keeping with this commitment, TRU departments that wish to source products that are licensed to bear the TRU logo are required to source such products exclusively through the TRU BookStore. The TRU BookStore shall be responsible for ensuring TRU licensed products adhere to TRU purchasing practices and TRU logo guidelines and visual identity usage standards.
https://www.tru.ca/__shared/assets/ADM_24-0_Licensed_Product_Purchasing37739.pdf
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:
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:
TRU will only buy either electric or electric-hybrid vehicles for all new campus fleet vehicles. This directive is in keeping with the data from an Electric Vehicle Suitability Assessment Report that TRU undertook by the organization Fleetcarma. (https://www.tru.ca/__shared/assets/FleetCarma_EV_Suitability_Assessment_Results41012.pdf)
TRU guidelines: https://www.tru.ca/__shared/assets/Transportation_and_fuels42937.pdf
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.