University of California, San Diego
OP-13: Vendor Code of Conduct

The Procurement & Contracts team was part of the University of California system-wide collaboration that developed the UC Guidelines for Environmentally Preferred Purchasing and has implemented the Environmentally Preferable Purchasing requirements in the UC Policy on Sustainable Practices. Examples of programs include: the selecting of major suppliers of consumer electronics and computers that use lead-free solder practices, developing a reusable tote program to minimize shipment packaging, specifications for recyclable and cradle-to-cradle carpet products, promoting non-virgin paper procurement and use, requiring Energy Star compliance for campus-wide standard configuration computer systems and where available other electronic products, vendor sponsored recycle programs for frequently used lab supplies (e.g, pipette tips), working with vendors to reduce packaging material volumes and encourage use of environmentally friendly alternatives, using electronic procurement system to reduce paper purchase orders and invoices. Vendors from which the University purchases products will be required to utilize minimal and reusable packaging materials as deemed in products specifications. If no local market for packaging materials exists, vendors may be required to take-back their packaging at their expense. Current practices include consolidation of shipments at centralized location to minimize packaging sent to campus and maximize recycling opportunities at centralized delivery point.