Overall Rating Reporter - expired
Overall Score
Liaison Carrie Metzgar
Submission Date March 2, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of California, San Diego
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete Reporter Mark Ortiz
Corporate Social Responsibility Manager
Integrated Procure to Pay Solutions
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Does the institution have written policies, guidelines or directives that seek to support sustainable purchasing across commodity categories institution-wide?:
Yes

A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
The policies, guidelines or directives:

NOTE: In 2018 the UC system, including UC San Diego, will be transforming its Environmentally Preferable Purchasing policy into a Sustainable Procurement Policy. Currently under review, the updated policy makes a new statement regarding UC's values in relation to the health and wellbeing of its students, staff, faculty, visitors, and suppliers, and a strong preference for functional alternatives to harmful products. The following targets will be set:

- 100% compliance with Required Level Green Spend criteria within three (3) fiscal years of the addition of those products and/or product categories to the Guidelines.

- 25% Green Spend as a total percentage of spend per product category; target to be reached within three (3) fiscal years after a category is added to the Guidelines.

- 25% Socially and Economically Responsible Spend as a total percentage of addressable spend; target to be reached within five (5) fiscal years of adoption of this section of the Guidelines.

In addition to these targets, the policy requires reporting on "Sustainable Spend", defined as those areas where Green Spend and Socially and Economically Responsible Spend overlap from beginning 2018/19 fiscal year.

The policy will also require a minimum of 15% of the points utilized in competitive solicitation evaluations to be allotted for sustainability criteria (for example: sustainable product attributes, supplier diversity, supplier practices, contributions to health and wellbeing, and materials safety).

Finally, the poilcy update will include sustainable practices required of University procurement teams, including: consideration of take-back programs, total cost of ownership analysis, packaging requirements, and partnering with suppliers on transparency to enhance sustainable outcomes throughout the supply chain.

Current policy as of March 2017 is below:

The University of California Sustainable Practices Policy: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/3100155/Sustainable%20Practices

The University of California BUS-43/Material Management: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/3220485 (pages 3, 33, 54, 55).

The University of California BUS-8/Acquisition and Disposition of University Vehicles: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/3220475 .

The University of California BUS-19/Registration and Licensing of University-Owned Vehicles: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/3220476.

The University of California Management of Health, Safety and the Environment: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/3500506 .


Does the institution employ Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) when evaluating energy- and water-using products and systems?:
No

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:

In 2018//2019, UC San Diego be looking to implement life cycle cost analysis in new building design and construction decision-making, along with total cost of ownership analysis as part of its procurement decisions.


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating chemically intensive products and services (e.g. building and facilities maintenance, cleaning and sanitizing, landscaping and grounds maintenance)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:

UC San Diego prioritizes purchasing of the following third-party certifications and ratings:
GREENGUARD®, Green Seal®, UL ECOLOGO, and EPA Design for the Environment Program's Safer Choice. The University is currently in the process of finishing a LEED O+M Master Site, and as part of this will:

- Ensure that 80% of all cleaning products, by cost, meet LEED sustainably criteria, and maintain an 80% or greater threshold when purchasing cleaning products for in the future. This will reduce the exposure of building staff and occupants to potentially hazardous chemical, biological, and particle contamination.

Ensure that 40% (or greater) of all cleaning equipment, by number of units, meet LEED criterion for green cleaning equipment. For existing equipment that does not meet the criteria, develop a phase-out plan for its replacement with environmentally preferable products at the end of its useful life.

- Strive to follow the operating procedures that have been established for hard floor and carpet maintenance while being aware of the varying health related sensitivities of all employees.

- Select strategies to promote and improve hand hygiene.

- Administer annual staff training workshops for the proper storage, handling and use of cleaning products and equipment. Furthermore, all new employees handling cleaning products and equipment must be provided training before performing duties.

- Put in place a method for occupants to express their opinions on the effectiveness of janitorial duties. Changes should be made as necessary to maintain a level of comfort for all occupants.

- Select strategies to reduce the effects that cleaning has on energy and water usage and the introduction of toxic chemicals in to the building.

- Select and appropriately use disinfectants and sanitizers to reduce levels of chemical, biological, and particulate contamination in the building.

- Develop and implement a contingency plan to manage staffing shortages under a variety of conditions to ensure that basic cleaning services are met and critical cleaning needs are addressed. Include a process to obtain occupant and custodial staff input and feedback after contingency plans are implemented.


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating construction and renovation products (e.g. furnishings and building materials)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for construction and renovation products:

UC San Diego's new construction and major renovation projects are all at least LEED Silver (we aim for LEED Gold) and 20% above Title 24 energy code. As a result, we often purchase locally made or produced and non-toxic furnishing and materials, reuse items like furniture through Surplus Sales, etc.


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating Information technology (IT) products and services (e.g. computers, imaging equipment, mobile phones, data centers and cloud services)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for IT products and services:

All desktop computers, laptops, and computer monitors purchased by the
University are required to have achieved a minimum Bronze-level registration
or higher under the Electronic Products Environmental Assessment Tool
(EPEAT®), where applicable. Preference is given for electronics products that have achieved EPEAT® Silver or EPEAT® Gold registration. The registration criteria and a list of all registered equipment are provided at EPEAT. All recyclers of the University’s electronic equipment must be e-Steward 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 encourage the manufacturer to become a BAN-certified eSteward Enterprise (e-Stewards for Enterprises).


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food services (i.e. franchises, vending services, concessions, convenience stores)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food services:

Campuses and Medical Centers have sustainability goals and initiatives in each of the four categories of sustainable foodservice practices listed below.

a. Food Procurement
Each campus and Medical Center foodservice operation shall strive to procure 20% sustainable food products by the year 2020, while maintaining accessibility and affordability for all students and Medical Center foodservice patrons. UC San Diego has already met this goal.

b. Education
Each campus and Medical Center shall provide patrons with access to educational materials that will help support their food choices.

c. Engagement With External Stakeholders
Campus and Medical Center departments, organizations, groups, and individuals shall engage in activities with their surrounding communities that support common goals regarding sustainable food systems.

d. Sustainable Operations
Campus and Medical Center foodservice operations shall strive to earn third-party “green business” certifications for sustainable dining operations. UC San Diego University Centers already has one Green Restaurant Association-certified vendor.

2. Retail Foodservice Operations:
a. Retail foodservice tenants will strive to meet the policies in III.H.1.a-d. above. Given the constraints faced by nationally-branded franchises that must purchase food through corporate contracts, location departments managing retail foodservice tenants will have the option of meeting III.H.1.a. (procuring 20% of all sustainable food products by the year 2020) by aggregating the purchases of all retail entities under the jurisdiction of a
single operational unit on location.

b. Locations will include Section H of this Policy in lease language as new leases and contracts are negotiated or existing leases are renewed. However, locations will also work with tenants to advance sustainable foodservice practices as much as possible within the timeframe of current leases.


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating garments and linens?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for garments and linens:

UC San Diego participates in the Worker Rights Consortium and the Fair Labor Association.

http://ucop.edu/sustainability/programs-initiatives/social-sustainability/news.html

On March 17, 2017, the University of California (“UC”) issued an updated Code of Conduct for Trademark Licensees (“Code”), replacing the Code promulgated in January 2000. The updated Code, renamed the Trademark Licensing Code of Conduct Policy, conforms to UC’s policy format, clarifies the scope to apply to all UC locations, defines key terms, amends and strengthens previous provisions, and references important legislative requirements.

President Napolitano, in her letter of March 17, 2017, stated that “The policy is important to protecting the University of California brand and its reputation by ensuring that the University's trademark licensees adhere to high ethical standards in manufacturing goods bearing the names and other trademarks of the University of California and its campuses, including abbreviations, logos, mascots, seals, or other trademarks owned by the University. The revised policy makes clearer, both to the University's trademark licensees and to internal University stakeholders, the expectations and requirements that all UC logoed goods must be produced (1) under fair, safe, and humane working conditions throughout the supply chain, and (2) by companies authorized to place University's name and other trademarks on such products.” As with the 2000 Code when it was issued, the 2017 Code sets high labor standards and demonstrates the University’s commitment to the socially responsible production of its logoed goods. UC continues to demonstrate its leadership, impact, and commitment to improving worker rights and is collaborating with other national civil society leaders to guide discussion and efforts.


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating professional services (e.g. architectural, engineering, public relations, financial)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional services:

All new construction and major renovations architects and engineers must help projects be at least LEED Silver or better and be at least 20% above Title 24 energy code. Sustainability requirements are added to RFI's and RFP's for all architectural and engineering services, along with other services.


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating transportation and fuels (e.g. travel, vehicles, delivery services, long haul transport, generator fuels, steam plants)?:
Yes

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

Over 60% of the Campus Fleet is hybrid, all-electric, or some other clean technology. For example, we have Increased our EV footprint by over 12% aided by the procurement of 50 Smart EV's (Total EV count, which includes full speed electric vehicles and NEV/LSV carts, going from 378 to 428). All Fleet and Shuttle Services’ buses run on either renewable CNG or biodiesel. We have converted all remaining diesel to R100 and CNG to RCNG through the REDEEM program. We are now exploring the use of all-electric buses.


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating wood and paper products?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for wood and paper products:

The University phased out the use of virgin paper and adopted a minimum
standard of 30% Post-Consumer Waste (PCW) recycled content paper to be
used in all office equipment (e.g., multi-function devices, copiers, printers, and
fax machines). 100% Post-Consumer Content paper is promoted through our online procurement system, Marketplace.


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating products and services in other commodity categories that the institution has determined to have significant sustainability impacts?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for other commodity categories:

Standards for packaging materials and their appropriate reuse or disposal are
outlined in all RFIs, RFQs, and RFPs requiring potential bidders to
document their standards and practices for packaging materials, including
materials contained in the boxes of shipped products to protect goods, as well
as the boxes and cartons themselves. Suppliers who have reusable tote
programs make these programs available to the University.

The University specifies that all packing materials abide by at least one, and
preferably all, of the criteria listed below:
a. Made from 100% post-consumer recycled materials and be recyclable or
reusable
b. Non-toxic
c. Biodegradable
d. Produced with the minimum amount of resources and sized as small as
possible, while still maintaining product protection during shipping; where
feasible, packaging materials should be eliminated.

In addition, the University recognizes and promotes the purchase of EPA Energy STAR ad EPA WaterSense® appliance and products. Single-pass cooling in labs is prohibited.


The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:

Other contacts: Sara McKinstry, Sustainability; Dave Weil, Sustainability


Other contacts: Sara McKinstry, Sustainability; Dave Weil, Sustainability

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.