University of Idaho
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

The university adopted a recycled paper policy in 2011. Currently, there exists no sustainable purchasing policy or guideline across commodity categories institution-wide. The published recycled paper policy is published in the Administrative Procedurals Manual (APM) at https://www.uidaho.edu/apm/60/50.

The university engages in a decision-making process accounting for LCCA of assets during repair, replacement of equipment as well as prior to making operations and maintenance and or capital investment. The university reviews energy and water conservation of all facilities and infrastructure assets employing a systematic approach to preventive and predictive maintenance with commissioning of energy and water system components. The process is exercised in a decentralized yet, formal method of staffing involving facilities units responsible for the alteration, repair and maintenance and capital investment of resources serving campus facilities and infrastructure. Staffing of LCCA serves to replace, repair and or construct new assets and components with the most practical energy management and water conservation best management practices available. The universities integration of LCCA further serves to steward natural, physical and fiscal resources serving the campus.

University of Idaho Green Cleaning Policy within Facilities University of Idaho Building Services’ Mission is to provide a dynamic learning environment and meet the needs of its diverse community. Team Cleaning Specialist should strive at all times to be sure that this environment is kept clean, comfortable, healthy and inviting to the community. All areas should be maintained in a way that provides a sense of pride to those who work and who are educated within the buildings, through the efforts of the U of I custodial staff. In keeping with this mission, and with the university’s commitment to sustainability, a “Green Cleaning” policy has been adopted. This policy includes the types of cleaning products used, types of equipment used and the methods and practices adopted, as well as thorough training of custodial staff, and a commitment by the Building Services department to practice and promote environmentally friendly cleaning procedures. Facilities, Building Services' Green Cleaning Policy is posted online at https://www.uidaho.edu/infrastructure/facilities/building-services. Building Services will show its commitment to this policy and to the environment by adopting the following goals: • Using Sustainable Earth or other cleaning products that meet Green Seal standards, or products with low levels of VOCS (volatile organic compounds) whenever possible. • Purchasing and using only CRI certified power equipment in this facility, and maintaining that equipment to that standard. • Using concentrated cleaning products whenever possible. • Using a cleaning products system whereby the chemicals are propositionally and accurately diluted with cold water. • Eliminating phosphates and aerosol products. • Using ECO Green paper products that meet EPA standards for high post-consumer recycling content. • Compliance with all relevant laws, regulations, legislation and industry standards. • Conserving energy, water, and resources while providing a clean, sanitary, and healthy environment. • Instilling a sense of pride and environmental responsibility in the custodial staff, making them aware of how the products, equipment, and methods they use to clean impact the earth. • Training custodial staff as to the proper use of the cleaning products, supplies, and equipment by the vendors supplying these items, and by the custodial staff trained by these vendors. • Voicing the expectation that these methods must be followed, and that it is the responsibility of the custodial staff to do so. • Using every opportunity to learn and to educate others, in the “green cleaning” methods and standards, and to promote the benefits of “green cleaning” whenever possible. •Physically do monthly building cleaning audits on all academic buildings to ensure the level of cleanliness is kept up to a high standard.

Yes, in 2008 the university adopted LEED silver policy for new builds and renovations. https://www.uidaho.edu/apm/40/03

Sustainability Objectives within the Dining Contract include goals to: 1. Purchase 12% of food from locally produced/raised sources 2. Purchase 71% of food from regionally produced/raised sources 3. Work with the campus registered dietitian to improve menus towards healthier, medically necessary, and culturally sensitive diet options and to reduce on-campus access to, and availability of, calorie-dense and nutritionally empty foods. 4. Implement point-of-decision nutrition interventions to meet national nutrition standards outlined in the USDA Dietary Guidelines: calorie labeling, marketing and placement of healthy options, allergen food labels, and a website with weekly dining menus.

Be advised the following effort is specific to the district energy plant, as related to Steam Plant and Steam plant fuels only and transportation of fuels on campus; The University of Idaho has a published standard for biomass in the form of woodchip fuels used during a competitive acquisition process. Relative to natural gas the university engages with an energy fuels broker to purchase natural gas serving as make up fuel during winter periods the wood-fired boiler cannot sustain heading on campus. When available the university uses B20 or 20% Biodiesel, with 80% Diesel to fuel transport of biomass (woodchips) from storage to the plant. Additional documentation has been uploaded. See PDF: OP 11_part 3_Biomass Fuels Documentation.

On July 1, 2011, the university adopted Recycled Paper policy 60.50 with preference given to post-consumer recycled content paper. https://www.uidaho.edu/apm/60/50 Preamble: This policy was implemented in 2011 to align procurement processes with sustainability efforts at the University and to be sensitive to the impact purchases have on the environment. A. Definitions. A-1.Post-Consumer Waste: A material or finished product that has served its intended use and has been discarded for disposal or recovery having completed its life as a consumer item. A-2. Acid Free: Paper products that have had the acid removed from the pulp leaving it with a neutral pH of 7. A-3. Processed Chlorine Free: Recycled paper in which the recycled content is unbleached or bleached without chlorine or chlorine derivatives. Any virgin material portion of the paper must be unbleached or processed entirely free of chlorine derivatives. B. Policy. All University of Idaho units are required to purchase office paper with a minimum sustainable specification of acid-free 30% post-consumer waste recycled paper content. In addition, colored paper and paper of other sizes will be purchased as a 30% or higher recycled, acid-free paper. The University strongly supports purchasing the maximum recyclable content possible, up to 100% recycled, Processed Chlorine Free paper. This policy applies to the University Copy Center's regular copiers and printers, but does not apply to any custom print jobs. C. Process/Procedure. The University's contracted vendors (available from Contracts and Purchasing Services, D below) are aware of the policy and stock appropriate product(s). D. Contact Information. Assistance in obtaining suitable product or implementation of this policy can be obtained through Contracts and Purchasing Services or the University of Idaho Sustainability Center (Purchasing Services).

Institution Wide Policy: Julia McIlroy, Director, Purchasing Services Chemically Intensive Products and Services: Tom Fischer, Director, Facilities--Building Services Food Services, Wood and Paper: Jeannie Matheison, Director, Sustainability Center Transportation and Fuels: Gene Gussenhoven, Director, Facilities--Utilities and Engineering Services Information Technology: Pete Varney, Manager, Vandal Sphere Support Professional Services: Brian Johnson, AVP, Facilities