Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 73.25
Liaison Miriam Keep
Submission Date Feb. 25, 2022

STARS v2.2

University of Illinois, Urbana-Champaign
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 3.00 Meredith Moore
Sustainability Programs Coordinator
Institute for Sustainability, Energy, and Environment
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Part 1. Institution-wide sustainable procurement policies

Does the institution have written policies, guidelines, or directives that seek to support sustainable purchasing across multiple commodity categories institution-wide?:
Yes

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

The policies, guidelines or directives:
University departments and units should purchase products with recycled material content whenever cost, specifications, standards, and availability are comparable to products without recycled content. The University will identify those items that are frequently purchased for which recycled-content items can be substituted. Additional preference will be given to the specification of items with the highest percentage content of recycled material.Examples of products and materials covered include, but are not limited to: office supplies, paper products, building materials, lubricants of all types, reprocessed chemicals, remanufactured parts, landscape products (yard waste), and materials used in pavement construction projects. The use of recycled materials is also encouraged when orders are placed for printed goods (i.e. brochures, catalogs, books, letterheads, business cards, etc). In addition, the procurement guidelines seek to eliminate the purchase of non-recyclable materials when suitable substitutes exist.
To implement this, the campus and the Purchasing Division will:

Identify any University needs that exist for equipment, supplies, and services for which recycled and/or recyclable products might be available.
By reviewing prior and current requests for equipment, supplies, and services to determine the present usage of recycled and/or recyclable products.
By examining future needs to determine the extent to which they might involve requests for equipment, supplies, and services that might be met by the procurement of recycled and/or recyclable products.
Actively and diligently strive to identify vendors that can competitively supply recycled products.
By reviewing bid responses to determine the availability of commodities manufactured with recycled content.
By utilizing commercial directories and federal, state, and local sources of information to identify marketed products that are manufactured using recycled materials.
Make extra efforts to communicate to campus users the opportunities to meet requirements through the procurement of recycled and/or recyclable products, recognizing that the primary goal of purchasing such products is to reduce waste.
By reviewing specifications and intended product usage to determine if recycled products are available that will competitively and adequately meet identified needs and comply with established state and campus policies and procedures.
By supporting the campus in the identification of recycled products for evaluation and testing to determine their suitability for campus use.
By working with the campus to develop and publish a campus recycled products list; only products from that list will be purchased unless substantial written justification can be made for a non-recycled product.
By coordinating procurement of recycled products with campus users to ensure satisfactory performance, recognizing that if recycled products do not perform satisfactorily, they become waste.

More information can be found at this link:
https://cam.illinois.edu/policies/bf-11/

Part 2. Life Cycle Cost Analysis 

Does the institution employ Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) when evaluating energy- and water-using products and systems?:
Yes

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:
Purpose
This policy is implemented to foster an energy-efficient campus environment, and to reduce energy usage and utility costs across all campus units and departments.

Scope
This policy applies to the Urbana-Champaign campus, and contains supplemental information and guidelines to support adherence to the Campus Energy Use Policy

Authority
This policy is an extension of the Campus Energy Use Policy, and is implemented under the authority of the Executive Director of Facilities & Services.

Policy
Items that have high energy-efficiency ratings will be purchased when economically and operationally practical, in conformance with the list of selected classes of energy-consuming equipment and ratings.

Definitions
Selected classes of items subject to the policy for procurement of energy efficient equipment:
Electrical appliances, or similar equipment
University standard: Items that have a rating in the first quartile of efficiency.
Drinking fountains
University standard: 200-270 watts.
Incandescent lights
University standard: 15 to 18 lumens per watt and replacement of all incandescent lamps with the next smaller size.
Personal computers
University standard: Beginning June 17, 1994, the date the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) “Energy Star” logo made its debut, all personal computers, monitors, and printers purchased must have the “Energy Star” logo affixed to them.
Refrigerators
University standard: A rating in the first quartile of efficiency among items available. (See: University standard for electrical appliances.)
Window air conditioners
University standard: Energy Efficiency Rating (EER) of 9 or greater.
Processes/Procedures/Guidelines
Sealed bid and contract documents for selected classes of energy consuming equipment and commodities shall specify and require the bidder to provide energy-efficiency ratings (when practical); may include Life Cycle Cost (LCC) formulas for the bidder to complete for evaluations and justifications of bids.

All appropriate guidelines (e.g., Requisition Processing Training Guide (PDF) and the OBFS Policy Manual Purchasing section) will address the purchase of energy-efficient equipment. Items above will be incorporated.

The Energy Services Department of Facilities & Services will identify selected classes and ratings of equipment subject to this policy to publicize such information to the Campus whenever appropriate, and to review justifications for purchases of energy-consuming equipment not in conformance with the policy.

Procedures for Procurement of Energy-Efficient Equipment
Departmental representatives and Purchasing Division buyers will seek competitive price quotes and energy efficiency ratings (when available) on selected classes of energy-consuming equipment.
Only equipment in conformance with the policy should be purchased if economically and operationally practical. If equipment conforming to the policy is not desired, the purchaser shall justify the purchase of items not in conformance by completing the Non-Conforming Energy-Efficient Equipment Selection Justification Form, and have his/her supervisor approve the purchase.
The Selection Justification form should be filed along with the transaction file in the Purchasing Division, and a copy sent to the Energy Services Department of Facilities & Services for review prior to the purchase.
For selected classes of equipment, a listing will be developed of specific brands, models, and suppliers of energy-efficient equipment in conformance with the policy. This listing will be updated continuously and edited at least once annually by Purchasing Division buyers and the Energy Services Department of Facilities & Services.
Departmental representatives may contact the appropriate Purchasing Division buyer to determine if there is a listing of energy-efficient equipment and/or suppliers meeting their requirements.
Exceptions
The acquisition of items not in conformance with this policy need to be justified. Such justifications should address the following:

Cost. Is the cost of the more-efficient item significantly more than less efficient items? If practical, life cycle cost (LCC) analyses may be used as a basis for justification.
Operational Requirements. Explain if the energy-efficient item does not meet operational needs.

Link to more detail:
http://cam.illinois.edu/vii/VII-b-13.htm

Part 3. Product-specific sustainability criteria

To count, the criteria must address the specific sustainability challenges and impacts associated with products and/or services in each category, e.g. by requiring or giving preference to multi-criteria sustainability standards, certifications and labels appropriate to the category. Broader, institution-wide policies should be reported in Part 1, above. 

Chemically intensive products and services

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating chemically intensive products and services?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:
2.1 CLEANING MATERIALS A. Cleaning Agents: Use cleaning materials and agents recommended by manufacturer or fabricator of the surface to be cleaned. Do not use cleaning agents that are potentially hazardous to health or property or that might damage finished surfaces. B. Cleaning agents shall meet Green Seal GS-37 Standards. C. Floor cleaners shall comply with the California Code of Regulations maximum allowable VOC content. D. Disposable paper products, supplies and trash bags shall meet the minimum requirements of the US Environmental Protection Agency’s Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines. E. If the Green Seal GS-37 Standard is not applicable, use products that comply with the California Code of Regulations maximum allowable VOC levels.

http://www.fs.illinois.edu/docs/default-source/facility-standards/technical-sections/division-01---administrative/01-74-23---final-cleaning510946794E0E.pdf?sfvrsn=72bbf4ea_2

Consumable office products

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating consumable office products?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for consumable office products:
There is an extensive set of State of Illinois purchasing guidelines related to paper purchasing including mandatory purchases of paper with postconsumer content. An excerpt of state laws relevant to this credit is below, and available at http://www.ilga.gov/legislation/ilcs/ilcs5.asp?ActID=532&ChapterID=7


(30 ILCS 500/45-26)
Sec. 45-26. Environmentally preferable procurement.
(a) Definitions. For the purposes of this Section:
(1) "Supplies" means all personal property, including

but not limited to equipment, materials, printing, and insurance, and the financing of those supplies.
(2) "Services" means the furnishing of labor, time,

or effort by a contractor, not involving the delivery of a specific end product other than reports or supplies that are incidental to the required performance.
(3) "Environmentally preferable supplies" means

supplies that are less harmful to the natural environment and human health than substantially similar supplies for the same purpose. Attributes of environmentally preferable supplies include, but are not limited to, the following:
(i) made of recycled materials, to the

maximum extent feasible;
(ii) not containing, emitting, or producing

toxic substances;
(iii) constituted so as to minimize the

production of waste; and
(iv) constituted so as to conserve energy and

water resources over the course of production, transport, intended use, and disposal.
(4) "Environmentally preferable services" means

services that are less harmful to the natural environment and human health than substantially similar services for the same purpose. Attributes of "environmentally preferable services" include, but are not limited to, the following:
(i) use of supplies made of recycled

materials, to the maximum extent feasible;
(ii) use of supplies that do not contain,

emit, or produce toxic substances;
(iii) employment of methods that minimize the

production of waste; and
(iv) employment of methods that conserve

energy and water resources or use energy and water resources more efficiently than substantially similar methods.
(b) Award of contracts for environmentally preferable supplies or services. Notwithstanding any rule, regulation, statute, order, or policy of any kind, with the exceptions of Sections 45-20 and 45-25 of this Code, State agencies shall contract for supplies and services that are environmentally preferable.
If, however, contracting for an environmentally preferable supply or service would impose an undue economic or practical hardship on the contracting State agency, or if an environmentally preferable supply or service cannot be used to meet the requirements of the State agency, then the State agency need not contract for an environmentally preferable supply or service. Specifications for contracts, at the discretion of the contracting State agency, may include a price preference of up to 10% for environmentally preferable supplies or services.
(Source: P.A. 96-197, eff. 1-1-10.)

Furniture and furnishings

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating furniture and furnishings?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for furniture and furnishings:
---

Information Technology (IT) and equipment

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating Information technology (IT) and equipment?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for Information Technology (IT) and equipment:
ENERGY-EFFICIENT EQUIPMENT ACQUISITION
Issued:
August 30, 1993
Revised:
August 15, 2011
Policy Number:
BF-05
Responsible Office:
Office of the Executive Director of Facilities & Services
Policy Contact:
Director of Energy and Utility Services
(217) 244-2865
Provide Feedback
Print Policy
Purpose
This policy is implemented to foster an energy-efficient campus environment, and to reduce energy usage and utility costs across all campus units and departments.

Scope
This policy applies to the Urbana-Champaign campus, and contains supplemental information and guidelines to support adherence to the Campus Energy Use Policy

Authority
This policy is an extension of the Campus Energy Use Policy, and is implemented under the authority of the Executive Director of Facilities & Services.

Policy
Items that have high energy-efficiency ratings will be purchased when economically and operationally practical, in conformance with the list of selected classes of energy-consuming equipment and ratings.

Definitions
Selected classes of items subject to the policy for procurement of energy efficient equipment:
Electrical appliances, or similar equipment
University standard: Items that have a rating in the first quartile of efficiency.
Drinking fountains
University standard: 200-270 watts.
Incandescent lights
University standard: 15 to 18 lumens per watt and replacement of all incandescent lamps with the next smaller size.
Personal computers
University standard: Beginning June 17, 1994, the date the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) “Energy Star” logo made its debut, all personal computers, monitors, and printers purchased must have the “Energy Star” logo affixed to them.
Refrigerators
University standard: A rating in the first quartile of efficiency among items available. (See: University standard for electrical appliances.)
Window air conditioners
University standard: Energy Efficiency Rating (EER) of 9 or greater.
Processes/Procedures/Guidelines
Sealed bid and contract documents for selected classes of energy consuming equipment and commodities shall specify and require the bidder to provide energy-efficiency ratings (when practical); may include Life Cycle Cost (LCC) formulas for the bidder to complete for evaluations and justifications of bids.

All appropriate guidelines (e.g., Requisition Processing Training Guide (PDF) and the OBFS Policy Manual Purchasing section) will address the purchase of energy-efficient equipment. Items above will be incorporated.

The Energy Services Department of Facilities & Services will identify selected classes and ratings of equipment subject to this policy to publicize such information to the Campus whenever appropriate, and to review justifications for purchases of energy-consuming equipment not in conformance with the policy.

Procedures for Procurement of Energy-Efficient Equipment
Departmental representatives and Purchasing Division buyers will seek competitive price quotes and energy efficiency ratings (when available) on selected classes of energy-consuming equipment.
Only equipment in conformance with the policy should be purchased if economically and operationally practical. If equipment conforming to the policy is not desired, the purchaser shall justify the purchase of items not in conformance by completing the Non-Conforming Energy-Efficient Equipment Selection Justification Form, and have his/her supervisor approve the purchase.
The Selection Justification form should be filed along with the transaction file in the Purchasing Division, and a copy sent to the Energy Services Department of Facilities & Services for review prior to the purchase.
For selected classes of equipment, a listing will be developed of specific brands, models, and suppliers of energy-efficient equipment in conformance with the policy. This listing will be updated continuously and edited at least once annually by Purchasing Division buyers and the Energy Services Department of Facilities & Services.
Departmental representatives may contact the appropriate Purchasing Division buyer to determine if there is a listing of energy-efficient equipment and/or suppliers meeting their requirements.
Exceptions
The acquisition of items not in conformance with this policy need to be justified. Such justifications should address the following:

Cost. Is the cost of the more-efficient item significantly more than less efficient items? If practical, life cycle cost (LCC) analyses may be used as a basis for justification.
Operational Requirements. Explain if the energy-efficient item does not meet operational needs.

More information is available at:
http://cam.illinois.edu/policies/bf-05/

Food service providers

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food service providers?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food service providers:
"Sustainability: Vendor will meet or exceed the requirements of 30 ILCS 595, Local Food, Farms, and Jobs Act, Section 10 which stipulates: it is the goal that twenty percent of all food and food products purchased by State agencies and State-owned facilities, shall be local farm or food products."

"Environmental Purchasing Program; Recycling: Recycling and issues relating to resource utilization are important topics at IPHEC. In addition, solid waste reduction is an important issue for the food service operations at all PIMs IPHEC requires the vendor and its manufacturing partners work with PIMs food service departments to identify environmentally sustainable, safe alteratives to regular products..."

Garments and linens 

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating garments and linens?:
No

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

Professional service providers

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating professional service providers?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional service providers:
---

Transportation and fuels

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating transportation and fuels?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
We are a Smart Way affiliate: https://www.epa.gov/smartway/learn-about-smartway

The University of Illinois is leading the way as the first higher education institution to join SmartWay. We are happy to discuss our efforts with other schools interested in supporting the reduction of freight emissions.

"As the first-ever academic institution to register in SmartWay, the University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign leads the way for universities and other institutions to work as shippers in SmartWay and engage with their carriers and suppliers to improve freight efficiency, reduce greenhouse gases and other emissions from goods movement while also helping enhance our nation's energy security,” said Christopher Grundler, director of EPA’s Office of Transportation and Air Quality.

Optional Fields 

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:
---

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.