| Overall Rating | Platinum |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 85.72 |
| Liaison | Kira Stoll |
| Submission Date | March 4, 2021 |
University of California, Berkeley
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 3.00 |
Mikayla
Tran SDG & OS Engagement Fellow 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:
The University of California Policy on Sustainable Practices establishes goals in nine areas of sustainable practices which includes environmentally preferable purchasing of products and services. It outlines the University’s targets for sustainable procurement as well as requirements for UC sustainable procurement practices, that is the activities of University of California buyers as they relate to sustainable procurement. As per the policy, sustainable procurement should look to reduce unnecessary purchasing first, then prioritize purchase of surplus or multiple use products, before looking at recyclable, compostable, or otherwise sustainable products.
Link to UC Policy on Sustainable Practices: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/3100155/SustainablePractices
The University of California Sustainable Procurement Guidelines act as a companion to the Sustainable Procurement section of the UC Policy on Sustainable Practices. It lays out the minimum sustainability requirements for products and services purchased by the University of California and identify those product attributes that are strongly preferred, if not mandatory. It further defines the green spend, economically & socially responsible spend and sustainable spend in order to meet the sustainable procurement targets set by the UC Policy on Sustainable Practices.
Link to UC Sustainable Procurement Guidelines: https://www.ucop.edu/procurement-services/_files/sustainableprocurementguidelines.pdf
Further information on the University of California's sustainable procurement practices can be obtained from below URL.
https://www.ucop.edu/procurement-services/for-ucstaff/sustainable-procurement/index.html
https://sustainability.berkeley.edu/sustainability-performance/procurement
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:
The University of California's sustainability policy calls for campuses to prioritize recyclability, durability and other life-cycle concerns in a range of supply chain decisions. For example, the UC system focuses its procurement on products with ENERGYSTAR and WaterSense certification, when they are available. For packaging, the UC system requires that all packaging materials must be made from 100 percent recycled materials and be recyclable, non-toxic, biodegradable or be produced with the minimum amount of resources and be as small as possible. Also, when requested, suppliers citing environmentally preferable purchasing claims shall provide proper certification or detailed information on environmental claims, including benefits, durability and take-back, reuse, and recyclable properties.
Outlined in its own Sustainability Plan, UC Berkeley's goal for advancing sustainability in buildings is to design future projects to minimize energy and water consumption and wastewater production; incorporate sustainable design principles into capital investment decisions; base capital investment decisions on life cycle cost, including the cost of known future expenditures.
Key strategies from the 2020 UC Berkeley Sustainability Plan include:
- Building projects will evaluate design features that consider both capital and lifecycle energy and carbon and cost reduction opportunities.
- Develop a menu of water saving, efficiency and reuse strategies to meet the new target(s)and enhance resiliency. Strategies to consider the lifecycle cost-effectiveness and feasible ways to meet reduction goals by campus use sectors i.e. domestic in residence halls and in other buildings, landscape, labs, the energy plant, etc.
https://sustainability.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/uc_berkeley_sustainability_plan_2020_1.pdf
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:
UC Berkeley has instituted a Green Cleaning Program that requires all cleaning products meet the LEED Existing Building criteria. The university is also phasing in the exclusive use of Green Seal-certified cleaning products through its Strategic Sourcing and local campus procurement programs.
The university's Green Cleaning Policy can be found here: https://facilities.berkeley.edu/sites/default/files/fs_ucberkeley_green_cleaning_program_2010.pdf
UC Sustainable Procurement Guidelines have set specific standards for Cleaning Chemical Supplies. Cleaning supplies include general purpose bathroom, glass and carpet cleaners; degreasing agents; biologically-active cleaning products (enzymatic and microbial products); floor-care products (e.g. floor finish and floor finish strippers); hand soaps and hand sanitizers; disinfectants; and metal polish and other specialty cleaning products.
As per the UC Sustainable Procurement Guidelines, at least 25% of Cleaning supplies purchases are required to be certified by one of the below certifications/ standards; Green Seal, UL Ecologo, EPA Safer Choice. Beyond the minimum requirement, UC prefers to drive towards a minimum of 75% of certified purchases for cleaning supplies.
For more information, refer the UC Sustainable Procurement Guidelines - Page 9 and Page 15: https://www.ucop.edu/procurement-services/for-ucstaff/sustainable-procurement/sustainableprocurementguidelines.pdf
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:
Require a minimum Green Spend, as well as outlines a preferred green spend as follows:
Copy paper must have a minimum of 30% post-consumer recycled content (PCRC) or agricultural residue content. The paper would also meet requirements if it is Green Seal certified. Offices should further strive to purchase 100% PCRC, Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified, and processed chlorine free copy paper. Paper office supplies other than copy paper must also have a minimum of 30% PCRC. Other preferred paper products include 100% recycled content with a minimum of 50% PCRC, 90% PCRC wire components, water or plant-based adhesives, processed chlorine free, FSC certified, and Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) certified.
Non-paper office supplies must meet the minimum EPA Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines. All plastic-based writing utensils and accessories (dry-erase markers, highlighters, markers, pens, pencils, etc.) must also have a minimum of 30% recycled content. Preferably, offices should follow the Preferred EPP Specifications listed by the Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) and purchase products that are free of antimicrobial coatings. Toner must meet at least one of the recognized standards for remanufactured toner as specified by the State of California’s Specifications for Remanufactured Toner and Ink Cartridges.
All foodservice ware must be certified compostable by the Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) or Green Seal. The products would also meet requirements if they are made 100% from uncoated, unlined, plant-based material, and appears on the Cedar Grove Accepted Items List for Commercial Compostability. Preferably, offices should meet additional criteria as described in Section 7.F of the UC Sustainable Procurement Guidelines. All water appliances must be WasteSense Certified.
For more information, refer the UC Sustainable Procurement Guidelines - Pages 9, 10, and 11
https://www.ucop.edu/procurement-services/for-ucstaff/sustainable-procurement/sustainableprocurementguidelines.pdf
Suppliers are discouraged from bringing hard copies of presentations to Quarterly Business Reviews. Suppliers are encouraged to present all information in electronic format that is easily transferable to university staff.
Suppliers and consultants are encouraged to print RFIs, RFQs, RFPs, Price Schedule Agreements, and required reports on a minimum of 30% PCW recycled content paper, using narrow margins and both sides of the page. These documents shall be clearly marked to indicate that they are printed on recycled content paper.
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:
As per UC Sustainable Procurement Guidelines, all indoor furniture must meet all of the following criteria.
- GREENGUARD Gold or SCS Indoor Advantage Gold certified
- Free of the below 6 classes of chemicals of concern as specified in the Section 7.E of the UC Sustainable Procurement Guidelines; Flame retardant chemicals, Formaldehyde and Volatile Organic Compounds (VOCs), Per and Poly-Fluoroalkyl Substances (PFASs) used as stain/water/oil resistant treatments, Antimicrobials, Polyvinyl Chloride (PVC) and Heavy Metals
For more information, refer the UC Sustainable Procurement Guidelines - Pages 11, 16, and 17
https://www.ucop.edu/procurement-services/for-ucstaff/sustainable-procurement/sustainableprocurementguidelines.pdf
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:
UC Sustainable Procurement Guidelines have set specific standards for Electronics. Electronics includes any product for which an Electronic Products Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT®) certification is available. EPEAT currently includes PCs and Displays (including tablets), Imaging Equipment (which includes printers, copiers, scanners and multifunction devices), Televisions, Mobile Phones and Servers.
All Electronics purchased by the University are required to have achieved a minimum EPEAT Bronze-level registration or higher, where applicable. All Electronics must also be Energy Star® rated. Beyond this minimum requirement, UC prefers and has set spend goals to further drive the purchase of EPEAT Gold-level registered products, where applicable.
In addition, the University will ensure the following:
1. In accordance with Policy, all recyclers of the University’s electronic equipment must be eSteward certified by the Basel Action Network (BAN) (www.ban.org). In cases where the University has established take-back programs with a manufacturer, the University will require the manufacturer to become a BAN-certified e-Steward Enterprise (e-Stewards for Enterprises).
2. Printers and copiers must have duplex printing capabilities and hold their warranty while using 100% recycled content paper.
3. Suppliers shall be required to deliver items to the University with energy efficiency and duplex printing functions enabled.
a. Departments will work with their IT departments to ensure that features remain enabled for the duration of the product’s use.
For more information, refer the UC Sustainable Procurement Guidelines - Pages 9 and 15
https://www.ucop.edu/procurement-services/for-ucstaff/sustainable-procurement/sustainableprocurementguidelines.pdf
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:
Eat Well Berkeley Food and Beverage Policy: https://uhs.berkeley.edu/foodbeveragepolicy
The University of California, Berkeley is strongly committed to supporting the health and well-being of all members of the campus community by ensuring that healthy food and beverage choices are available in the foodservice operations identified in this policy. This policy establishes nutrition standards for retail foodservice and markets, vending machines, Athletic concessions, dining commons, and University-sponsored meetings and events to ensure accessibility of whole and fresh foods, provide healthier alternatives to sugar-sweetened beverages, and engage positive communications promoting healthier choices.
Additionally, the University of California's Policy on Sustainable Practices states:
H. Sustainable Foodservices
1. Campus and Health Location Foodservice Operations
a. Food Procurement: Each campus foodservice operation shall strive to procure 25% sustainable food products by the year 2030 as defined by AASHE STARS and each health location foodservice operation shall strive to procure 30% sustainable food products by the year 2030 as defined by Practice Greenhealth, while maintaining accessibility and affordability for all students and health location’s foodservice patrons.
b. Education: Each campus and health location shall provide patrons and foodservice staff with access to educational and training materials that will help support their food choices.
c. Menu Development: Each campus and health location shall strive to reduce greenhouse gas emissions of their food purchases through globally- inspired, culturally acceptable plant-forward menus.
i. Campuses and health centers shall establish a baseline and goal in 2020.
ii. Progress shall be tracked annually by report
2. Foodservice Operations in Leased Locations:
a. Foodservice operations leased in campuses and health locations owned by
the University of California and contractors providing foodservices in campus
and health locations will strive to meet the policies in III.H.1.a-c. above.
b. Campuses and health locations will include Section H of this Policy in lease language as new leases and contracts are negotiated or existing leases are renewed. However, campus and health locations will also work with tenants to advance sustainable foodservice practices as much as possible within the
timeframe of current leases.
https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/3100155/SustainablePractices
According to Sustainable Procurement Guidelines, compostable food service containers and packages that have recycled and/or sustainably harvested
content are preferred wherever possible. For more information, refer the UC Sustainable Procurement Guidelines - Page 17
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:
UC Sustainable Practices Policy and Guidelines have set best practices for the purchase of services broadly. The UC system procures a multitude of professional services from small one-time engagements to large multi-year partnerships. As per the UC Sustainable Practices Policy - Section G.5, university has committed to allocating a minimum of 15% of the points utilized in competitive solicitation evaluations to sustainability criteria including but not limited to supplier diversity, supplier practices (corporate social responsibility policies and practices) as well as contributions to health and wellbeing.
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:
As per the UC Policy on Sustainable Practices (Section D.1), zero emission vehicles (ZEV) or hybrid vehicles shall account for at least 50% of all new light-duty vehicle acquisitions across all UC locations by 2025. Further, being consistent with the State of California goal of increasing alternative fuel, specifically electric-vehicle usage, the University shall promote purchases and support investment in alternative fuel infrastructure at each location with a goal of having at least 4.5% of commuter vehicles be ZEV, by 2025 (Section D.3).
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 in this field are drawn largely from the University of California Policy on Sustainable Practices and Sustainable Procurement
Guidelines.
The information in this field are drawn largely from the University of California Policy on Sustainable Practices and Sustainable Procurement
Guidelines.
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.