| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 70.10 |
| Liaison | Fortino Morales |
| Submission Date | March 5, 2021 |
University of California, Riverside
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.50 / 3.00 |
Fortino
Morales Sustainability Officer 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 Terms and Conditions of Purchase establishes policies for sustainable purchasing across commodity categories institution-wide in Article 22: Sustainable Procurement Guidelines:
In accordance with the University of California Sustainable Practices Policy, Supplier will adhere to the following requirements and
standards, as applicable. Supplier acknowledges that failure to comply with any of the sustainability standards and requirements in the
Agreement will constitute a material breach of the Agreement and UC will have the right to terminate the Agreement without damage,
penalty, cost or further obligation.
A. Sustainability Marketing Standards. Supplier sustainability related claims, where applicable, must meet UC recognized certifications
and standards set forth in the UC Sustainable Procurement Guidelines and/or meet the standards of Federal Trade Commission’s (FTC)
Green Guides.
B. Electronic Transfer of Supplier Information. Suppliers, when interacting with the UC, shall be prohibited from providing hard copies of
presentations, marketing material, or other informational materials. Suppliers will be required to present all information in electronic
format that is easily transferable to UC staff. Materials may be provided in hard copy or physical format if specifically required or
requested by a UC representative.
C. Packaging Requirements. All packaging must be compliant with the Toxics in Packaging Prevention Act (AB 455) and must meet all
additional standards and requirements set forth in the UC Sustainable Practices Policy. In addition, UC requires that all packaging meet
at least one of the criteria listed below:
1. Uses bulk packaging;
2. Uses reusable packaging (e.g. totes reused by delivery service for next delivery);
3. Uses innovative packaging that reduces the weight of packaging, reduces packaging waste, or utilizes packaging that is a
component of the product;
4. Maximizes recycled content and/or meets or exceeds the minimum post-consumer content level for packaging in the U.S.
Environmental Protection Agency Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines;
5. Uses locally recyclable or certified compostable material.
D. Foodservice Foam Ban. As of 2018, the University no longer allows packaging foam or expanded polystyrene (EPS) for takeaway
containers or other food service items, in any University-owned or -operated food service facility.
E. Product Packaging Foam Ban. Beginning January 1st, 2020, the University will prohibit all contracted and non-contracted suppliers
from selling or distributing packaging foam (other than that utilized for laboratory supply or medical packaging) to UC campuses.
Packaging foam is defined as any open or closed cell, solidified, polymeric foam used for cushioning or packaging, including but not
limited to: low-density polyethylene foam, polypropylene foam, polystyrene foam (i.e. expanded polystyrene (EPS)), polyurethane
foam, polyethylene foam, polyvinyl chloride (PVC) foam, and microcellular foam. Not included in this ban are easily biodegradable,
plant-based foams such as those derived from corn or mushrooms.
F. E-Waste Recycling Requirements. All recyclers of UC electronic equipment must be e-Steward certified by the Basel Action Network
(BAN).
G. Hosted and Punch-out Catalog Requirements. Suppliers enabled with eProcurement hosted catalog functionality must clearly identify
products with UC-recognized certifications, as defined by the UC Sustainable Procurement Guidelines, in both hosted and punch-out
catalog e-procurement environments.
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:
Section G - 5 (c) of the UCOP Sustainable Practices Policy states that the university seeks to "compare the Total Cost of Ownership (TCO) when evaluating costs for goods and services in the selection of suppliers, whenever feasible as part of the procurement department's strive to integrate sustainability into its processes and practices, including competitive solicitations".
As defined by the Policy, TCO "considers not only purchase price, but also any costs associated with the acquisition, use, and disposal of the product. These costs may include some or all of the following: freight, taxes and fees, installation, operation/ energy use, maintenance, warranty, collection, end-of-life disposal or recycling, as well as social or environmental costs, such as the cost of purchasing pollution offsets or monitoring labor practices".
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:
Under the UC Policy on Sustainable Practices, the University will increase the purchase of products and materials that disclose known hazards and choose products with reduced concentrations of chemical contaminants that can damage air quality, human health, productivity, and the environment. https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/3100155/SustainablePractices (p 27)
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 10 and Page 16 (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:
As per UC Sustainable Procurement Guidelines, sustainability criteria have been set for copy paper, paper office supplies, non-paper office supplies and toner.
- A minimum of 30% of copy paper is required to be Post-Consumer Recycled Content (PCRC) or agricultural residue content or Green Seal (GS-07) certified.
- A minimum of 30% of paper office supplies other than copy paper is required to be Post-Consumer Recycled Content (PCRC) certified.
- Non-paper office supplies are required to meet the minimum EPA Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPG) recycled-content levels for Non-Paper Office Products, and a minimum 30% recycled content for all writing utensils (dryerase markers, highlighters, markers, pens, and pencils) or other plastic-based accessories.
- Toner purchases are required to meet the recognized standards, either Remanufactured or High Yield.
For more information, refer the UC Sustainable Procurement Guidelines - Page 10, 11 and Page 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 furniture and furnishings?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for furniture and furnishings:
Under the UC Policy on Sustainable Practices, the University’s Procurement department will integrate sustainability into its processes and practices by contracting with suppliers of products, including furniture, that established (preferably non-manufacturer specific) end-of-life reuse, recycling, and/or takeback programs at no extra cost to the University, and in compliance with applicable federal, state, and University regulations regarding waste disposal.
https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/3100155/SustainablePractices (p14)
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.
For more information, refer the UC Sustainable Procurement Guidelines - Page 10 and Page 15 (https://www.ucop.edu/procurement-services/for-ucstaff/sustainable-procurement/sustainableprocurementguidelines.pdf).
Include Energy Star here too.
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:
Under Food Procurement for Sustainable Foodservice section of the UC Policy on Sustainable Practices, each campus and health location foodservice operation shall strive to procure 20% sustainable food products by the year 2020, while maintaining accessibility and affordability for all students and UC Health Location’s foodservice patrons
https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/3100155/SustainablePractices (p15)
The University of California has a goal to procure 20 percent sustainable food products by the year 2020 for campus and health location foodservice operations as stated in the UC Policy on Sustainable Practices. Sustainable food is defined as food and beverage purchases that meet one or more of the criteria listed in the Section H.2 of the UC Policy on Sustainable Practices (https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/3100155/SustainablePractices).
By 2020, the University will prohibit the sale, procurement or distribution of packaging foam, such as food containers and packaging material as per the UC Policy on Sustainable Practices (Section F.5).
As per the UC Sustainable Procurement Guidelines, compostable food service ware are required to be certified compostable by Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI) or Green Seal GS-35 or made 100% from uncoated, unlined, obviously plant-based material and appear on the Cedar Grove Accepted Items List for Commercial Compostability. Further, compostable food service containers and packages that have recycled and/or sustainably harvested content are preferred wherever possible (Section 7.F of the UC Sustainable Procurement Guidelines - (https://www.ucop.edu/procurement-services/for-ucstaff/sustainable-procurement/sustainableprocurementguidelines.pdf).
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:
The University of California code of conduct stipulates that any article of clothing bearing the UC name be made in a factory that treats its workers as people, not as slaves, and the recent passing of the Designated Suppliers Act stipulates that 25% of licensed apparel must be paid a living wage – a wage that is higher than the minimum wage in all countries.
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 well-being. This requirement is to be effective from July 1st, 2019.
Refer the UC Policy on Sustainable Practices (https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/3100155/SustainablePractices) for more details.
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:
Under Sustainable transportation, the University shall implement strategies to reduce fleet emissions and improve fuel efficiency of all university-owned or operated fleet vehicles and equipment where practical options exist through acquisition and fleet operation protocols. By 2025, zero-emission vehicles or hybrid vehicles shall account for at least 50%of all new light-duty vehicle acquisitions. Consistent with the State of California’s goal of increasing alternative fuel – specifically electric – vehicle usage, the University shall promote purchases and support investment in alternative fuel infrastructure at each location. https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/3100155/SustainablePractices (p 11)
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).
Refer the UC Policy on Sustainable Practices (https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/3100155/SustainablePractices) for more details.
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:
Credit prepared by Michelle Baron and revised by Chelsea Lee.
Credit prepared by Michelle Baron and revised by Chelsea Lee.
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.