University of Colorado Boulder
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

https://www.cu.edu/psc/procurement/sustainability/about

CU does LCCA on a case-by-case basis. Example from bidding requirements for a custom chiller for the UCB Campus: Manufacturer's bid shall include a completed life-cycle cost analysis form based on criteria at the end of this section. Provide kW/Ton versus percent of load graph with bid submittal. Provide kW/Ton at 10% increments from full load to 10% load with constant condenser water of 80, 75, 65, 60, 55, 50 (or minimum condenser water).
Another example of LCCA use in practice is when buying IT hardware. CU uses the EPEAT calculator to demonstrate cost, emissions, and energy savings by prioritizing sustainable IT hardware.

LIFE CYCLE COST POLICY - State statute, CRS 24-30-1304 and 1305, requires that all state agencies and state institutions of higher education to analyze the life-cycle cost (LLC) of all real property constructed or renovated, over its economic life, in addition to the initial construction or renovation cost (Life-Cycle Cost Policy).

Toxic Products and Pollution:
- Refrain from procuring cleaning or disinfecting products (i.e. for janitorial or automotive use) containing carcinogens, mutagens, or teratogens.
- Chemicals to be avoided are listed by the U.S. EPA or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health on the Toxics Release Inventory.
- Phase out chlorofluorocarbon-containing refrigerants, solvents and similar products.
- Procure readily biodegradable surfactants and detergents that do not contain phosphates.
- Maintain buildings and landscapes, manage pest problems through the application of prevention techniques and physical, mechanical and biological controls
- Procure products with the lowest amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), highest recycled content, and low or no formaldehyde in materials such as paint, carpeting, adhesives, furniture and casework.
- Reduce or eliminate the use of products that contribute to the formation of dioxins and furans, including, but not limited to:
Paper, paper products, and janitorial paper products that are bleached or processed with chlorine or chlorine derivatives
Products that use polyvinyl chloride (PVC), including, but not limited to, office binders, furniture, flooring, and medical supplies.
- Procure products and equipment with contain no lead or mercury. For products containing lead or mercury, give consideration to those with lower quantities of these metals and to vendors with established lead and mercury recovery programs.
- Consider vehicle procurement alternatives to diesel such as compressed natural gas, biobased fuels, hybrids, electric batteries, and fuel cells, as available.

Purchasing durable, high quality, less toxic products, reusing supplies, and refraining from buying single-use products reduces your impact on the environment. Additionally, many office supplies are made from recycled content, including notepads, file folders, scissors, pens, clipboards, and Post-It Notes.
Choose - Recycled-content items, Refillable and/or recyclable products, High quality, durable items, Non-toxic, Unscented, Low-emission pens and markers
Avoid - Single use/disposable items, Vinyl binders, Aerosols [canned air has high VOC’s – look for manual air distributors]
End of Life - Recycle paper, Re-use, Donate
Accepted 3rd Party Labels - Recycled content; Green Seal; UL ECOLOGO; FSC Chain of Custody; Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI)

Furniture accounts for a significant portion of the nearly 20 percent of the durable goods that enter the municipal solid waste stream, according to the U.S. EPA. Beyond this waste, the category’s environmental impact stems from the materials and chemicals used in the creation of the products. They are often produced with volatile organic compounds (VOCs) that affect indoor air quality and, in turn, human health. Flame retardants, according to the Center for Environmental Health, have a long history of health and environmental problems and studies have found that they offer no measurable fire safety benefits. Several manufacturers are now promoting and certifying the environmental and health benefits of their alternative product lines that are equivalent on performance and style, and similar in price.
Chose - Durable, Flame retardant–free (TB 117-2013), Low VOC’s, Remanufactured, Recycled content, Recyclable
Avoid - Added flame retardants, PVC, Added anti-microbials, Formaldehyde
End of Life - Surplus, Re-use, Donate, Recycle
Accepted 3rd Party Labels - Geca (Good Environmental Choice Australia); Cradle to Cradle; Recycled Content; BIFMA Label; Declare; Scientific Certification Systems (SCS); UL GreenGuard; Sustainable Materials Rating Technology (SMaRT); TÜV Rheinland Green Product; Sustainable Furnishings Council (SFC) Exemplary; FSC Chain of Custody; California’s TB 117-2013

Computers and imaging equipment—including multifunction copiers such as printers and copiers—often contain toxic materials and are energy intensive to manufacture and operate. It’s important to evaluate the full product lifecycle of the product from design and production to energy use and recycling. This is also a product category to lease instead of own the product, and it’s the producer’s responsibility to offer proper end-of-life disposition. ENERGY STAR certified office equipment saves energy through efficient design and power management options.
Choose - Energy efficient products, Laptops, Re-manufactured/ ​refurbished equipment, Repair equipment to extend life, Power down electronics when not in use for over an hour, Utilize "sleep" or ‘hibernate’ mode
Avoid - Desktops, Using screen savers
End of Life - Recycle with vendor
Accepted 3rd Party Labels - EPEAT; Energy Star; Federal Energy Management Program; e-Stewards

Food and agriculture have significant impacts on the environment, amounting to around 20 percent of the country’s carbon footprint. Meat and dairy production create higher greenhouse gas emissions and use more water as compared to plant-based diets. An estimated 80 billion pounds—40 percent of all food produced in the United States—is thrown away each year. The method of serving food can also contribute to the waste stream, especially if meals come individually wrapped or involves a lot of unrecyclable packaging. Many activities can not only create opportunities to make meetings and food offerings more sustainable, but they can also help save money.
Choose - Plant-based foods, Local suppliers, Seasonal ingredients, Organic, Compostable or reuseable utensils and dishes, Fair Trade coffee
Avoid - Meat and dairy, Boxed lunches, Single-serve bottled water, Styrofoam or non-recyclable or non-compostable dishes or utensils
End of Life - Donate unused food to a food bank or food pantry, Compost food scraps and spoiled food
Accepted 3rd Party Labels - Recycled Content; Green Seal; USDA Organic; Biodegradable Products Institute (BPI); Fair Trade Certification

Fleets - For new purchases, departments can specify higher fuel efficiency vehicles and/or alternatively fueled vehicles where finances and availability allow.
The taskforce finds that a standard purchasing practice or policy recommendation is not currently feasible due to such a wide variety of departmental vehicle needs. A best practices checklist is in development. To “green” the University’s fleets, an inventory of each existing vehicle for quantity, technology, fuel type and consumption efficiency level will highlight areas in need of improvement. The inventory will be able to help:
- “Right-size” vehicles for the corresponding task (e.g. downsizing, eliminating)
- More efficiently plan vehicle travel, maintenance, and operations Install non-motorized transport where appropriate
- Cut fuel consumption and emissions on a progressive basis.
- Changes will not hinder the daily operations of fleets and could be economically viable.

Fuels - Transportation-related activities account for roughly a third of all of the county’s greenhouse gas emissions every year. Looking beyond fossil fuels to alternatives fuels, such as a biodiesel or electric, can reduce this impact and lower the county’s carbon footprint. Along with fuel-reducing practices and training, buying cleaner alternative fuels will enable the county to reduce overall fuel consumption and greenhouse emissions.
Choose - Biodiesel, Ultra-Low Sulfur Diesel (ULSD), Electric or hybrid vehicles, Alternative-fuel conversion kit, Audit current travel practices, Encourage online meetings and conferencing tools when applicable, Purchase third-party certified carbon offsets to compensate for impact
Avoid - Hard acceleration and braking, Excessive idling, Improperly tuned engine, Underinflated tires, Speeding, Unnecessary travel

Sustainable Purchasing Goals - https://www.cu.edu/psc/procurement/sustainability/goals
https://www.colorado.edu/ecenter/greening-cu/green-office-program/environmentally-responsible-purchasing and
fuels - https://www.cu.edu/psc/procurement/sustainability/sustainable-purchasing-guidelines/fuel
https://www.cu.edu/psc/procurement/sustainability/sustainable-purchasing-guidelines/food-catering
https://www.cu.edu/psc/procurement/sustainability/sustainable-purchasing-guidelines/computers-imaging-equipment
https://www.cu.edu/psc/procurement/sustainability/sustainable-purchasing-action-steps


https://www.cu.edu/psc/procurement/sustainability/sustainable-purchasing-guidelines/furniture
https://www.colorado.edu/ecenter/greening-cu/green-office-program/environmentally-responsible-purchasing
https://www.cu.edu/psc/procurement/sustainability/sustainable-purchasing-action-steps