University of Minnesota, Duluth
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

The U of M has a sustainability policy which directly addresses purchasing as part of the Operational category: http://regents.umn.edu/sites/regents.umn.edu/files/policies/Sustain_Energy_Efficiency.pdf The adoption of the Sustainability and Energy Efficiency Policy was followed-up with a UMN Systemwide Goals, Outcomes, Measures, Process Report which references sustainable procurement goals, outcomes, and measures, including Operational Goals 2 and 4 specifically related to purchasing: Goal 2: Integrate environmental, economic, and social priorities into purchasing and contract decisions Goal 4: Manage resources for their highest end use by reducing consumption, minimizing waste, and strongly supporting the reuse and highest value recycling of unwanted materials The Systemwide Goals and Outcomes Report available at: http://www.uservices.umn.edu/sites/uservices.umn.edu/files/um_systemwide_sustainability_final_report.pdf UMN also has a prevailing wage general policy: It is the policy of the University of Minnesota that all projects contracted for the University shall comply with the prevailing wage requirements of Minn. Stat. § 177.41-177.43. This requirement shall apply regardless of the source of funding. http://regents.umn.edu/sites/regents.umn.edu/files/policies/WageRates.pdf

The Regents policy discussed LCA for the U of M. The policy for the entire University of Minnesota is applied practice Life Cycle Cost Analysis. Life-cycle cost analysis is a tool to determine the most cost-effective option among different competing alternatives to purchase, own, operate, maintain and, finally, dispose of an object or process. Life Cycle Costing (LCC) is an important economic analysis used in the selection of alternatives that impact both pending and future costs. It compares initial investment options and identifies the least cost alternatives for the estimated life of the asset. http://regents.umn.edu/sites/regents.umn.edu/files/policies/Sustain_Energy_Efficiency.pdf

In addition to the Regents policy, we have a green cleaning policy at UMD that includes avoiding purchase of chemicals by providing four Orbio® on-site generation systems throughout the campus. These systems use Electrically Activated Water (EAW) technology to generate a multi-purpose cleaner and a one-step cleaner disinfectant/food contact surface sanitizer/non-food contact surface sanitizer on campus. These solution replace most daily-use conventional chemicals and their associated packaging, transportation, and waste. The Orbio solutions are also free of dyes, fragrances, and VOCs, so they contribute to good indoor air quality. UMD Green Cleaning information at: http://www.d.umn.edu/sustainability/campus-initiatives/buildings More on Custodial at: http://www.d.umn.edu/facilities-management/services/custodial

In addition to the Regents policy, U of M campuses, including UMD need to conform with State of Minnesota B3 building standards, which include guidance on construction and renovation. B3 requirements for construction/renovation in waste and LCA of furnishings are summarized below and actual Guidelines are available at https://www.b3mn.org/wp-content/uploads/2017/10/B3GuidelinesVersion3.0.pdf Page 104 begins the Material and Waste Guidelines section, which includes: -Guideline M.1: Life Cycle Assessment (page 105) To use life cycle analysis to quantify and minimize the environmental impact of building materials, which have significant effects on global warming, air pollution, water pollution, energy consumption, and waste. Approved LCA tools are Tally or Athena Impact Estimator -Guideline M.2: Environmentally Preferable Materials (page 116) to improve environmental impacts of construction through the selection of environmentally preferable materials and products. -Guideline M.3: Waste Reduction and Management (page 120) to minimize use of resources and negative environmental impacts through design decisions and careful reduction and management of waste generated during the construction process and building occupancy. This also includes recycling guidelines that state "At least 75% of nonhazardous construction and demolition waste must be diverted from landfill." Full B3 Guidelines at: https://www.b3mn.org/guidelines/

Our vendor, Coca Cola, has a contract that stipulates sustainability in fair wages, recycling, and energy-efficient vending. Excerpts from the contract language includ: ARTICLE 2 - CORPORATE RESPONSIBILITY, COMMITMENT TO EXCELLENCE, BCED PARTICIPATION, AND SUSTAINABILITY 2.01 Corporate Responsibility. Corporate responsibility for Company and Bottler means both building a sustainable business and helping to build sustainable communities. (a) Company. Company developed and implemented internal frameworks in 2005 identifying five key areas which guide the way in which the Company conducts business. The vision for sustainable growth includes the following: People: Being a great place to work where people are inspired to be the best they can be Portfolio: Bringing to the world a portfolio of beverage brands that anticipate and satisfy people’s desires and needs Partners: Nurturing a winning network of partners and building mutual loyalty Planet: Being a responsible global citizen that makes a difference Profit: Maximizing return to shareholders while being mindful of our overall responsibilities The Company also maintains a global Workplace Rights Policy, which was guided by the principles developed by the United Nations International Labour Organization (“ILO”) and other well-known human rights organizations. This policy formalizes the Company’s long-standing commitment to ensuring that each one of its 90,500 associates around the world is treated fairly and with dignity. (b) Bottler. The Bottler views corporate responsibility and sustainability as a way to balance all of the considerations that shape the Bottler’s decisions, weighing the possibility of growth today with the promise of sustainability in the future. The Bottler is committed to Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability and will focus its efforts on the following areas: 1. Water Stewardship 2. Sustainable Packaging/Recycling 3. Energy Conservation/Climate Change 4. Product Portfolio/Well-Being 5. Diverse & Inclusive Culture These issues are in line with the strategic priorities of the Bottler’s business, and the Bottler is developing a three-year plan with performance targets for each issue in order to focus the Bottler’s efforts. The Bottler also reports its progress through its annual Corporate Responsibility and Sustainability Report. (c) The United Nations Global Compact. In order to assist in ensuring transparency and accountability to these principles, the Company and Bottler have both become signatories to the United Nations Global Compact (the “Compact”), affirming the Coca-Cola system’s commitment to the advancement of the Compact’s ten universal principles in the areas of human rights, labor, the environment, and anti‑corruption. The Compact requires communication of progress against these principles. Both Company and Bottler report their progress against the Compact principles and the Global Reporting Initiative (“GRI”) on an annual basis. The Company does so via the Company’s Corporate Responsibility Review and the Bottler does so via its website at www.cokecce.com. ... 2.04 Sustainability. Bottler is committed to sustainability and reducing its carbon footprint at the University. Bottler agrees to use best efforts to provide energy efficient Approved Vending Machines by August 31, 2008 and participate in recycling programs as detailed in Section 4.03(b). ... 4.03(b) Sustainability Programs. The Bottler shall provide the University with resources each Year during the Term to be used by the University for sustainability programs mutually agreeable to the Parties. Bottler is committed to utilizing the Twin Cities Campus for a recycling pilot program. Bottler will provide the Twin Cities Campus with Beverage recycling containers in Year 1 at a value of Fifty Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($50,000) and, throughout the Term, Bottler will provide additional value of up to One Hundred Thousand and No/100 Dollars ($100,000) to be used for mutually agreed upon sustainability programming.

As part of the UMD contract with our vendor College Licensing Company (CLC)/Learfield on trademarked merchandise/uniforms: all licensees with CLC agree to abide by the Bangladesh Safety Accord (and the WRC). The licensee agreement is with CLC stipulating that the licensees must abide by this in their agreement. https://bangladeshaccord.org/

UMN Purchasing website links to Supplier Diversity and Sustainability policy, (including the Board of Regents' Targeted Group Business policy): http://purchasing.umn.edu/supplier-diversity-sustainability.html The University of Minnesota's Regent's Policy regarding Targeted Business, Urban Community Economic Development, and Small Business Programs states: "Subd. 1. Targeted Businesses. The Board of Regents (Board) supports the use of the purchasing power of the University of Minnesota (University) to enhance equal employment and business opportunities for minorities, women, and disabled persons. Consistent with the Board’s long-standing policies and achievements in advancing diversity, equal employment opportunity, and affirmative action, the University is committed to promote actively the utilization of businesses owned and operated by minorities, women, and disabled persons (targeted businesses) and to prevent discriminatory practices against such businesses." Link to policy: http://regents.umn.edu/sites/regents.umn.edu/files/policies/TargetedBusiness.pdf

The UMD Energy Action Plan addresses fuel use in our campus steam plant with provides most of campus with heating and cooling. The short term actions for fuel usage was to only use natural gas in the steam plant and forgo the use of any Fuel Oil. Medium term plan is to evaluate the boilers, and increase efficiencies where possible. In the long-term, we have set aside some funding already for a long-term Master Energy and Utilities plan. This study would seek options and costs/feasibility for renewable-fuel replacements, steam plant and district upgrades for efficiency, and other alternatives. The response to this study will be an updated UMD Energy Action Plan, to incorporate and plan for energy and utility upgrades and carbon reduction activities. https://drive.google.com/file/d/0B7PMqfePaUrCak9XZ0ZOYk1XV0U/view

Dec 2019 updates: Part 1: Clarified purchasing policy goals from Systemwide Goals and Outcomes report, and prevailing wage documents, and linked to UMN Systemwide Goals and Outcomes report which set 2 Goals for purchasing. Part 3: Chemicals: Added detail on Orbio system to reduce chemical purchases and link to Green Cleaning link on Buildings page Part 3: Construction: Added detail on the Materials guidelines (Page numbers and summaries of each Guideline, with link to B3 guidelines for Materials & Waste) Part 3: Food: Although UMD is self-op and we have no franchises, we have a vending contract with Coca Cola that stipulates sustainability actions. Summary language included. Part 3: Garments and Linens: Added CLC/Learfield agreement that encomapses both the Bangladesh Safety Accord and the WRC for all trademark merch/uniforms. Part 3: Professional Services: Added the UMN Targeted Group Business purchasing policy and link to policy. This is followed by UMN Purchasing and is part of every bid process. Part 3: Transportation/Fuels: changed to NO.