Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 65.09
Liaison Shane Stennes
Submission Date Jan. 11, 2023

STARS v2.2

University of Minnesota, Twin Cities
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.75 / 3.00 Carley Rice
Sustainability Coordinator
Facilities Management
"---" 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:
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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:
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.

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?:
No

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

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating consumable office products?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for consumable office products:
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Furniture and furnishings

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

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for furniture and furnishings:
Facilities Management practice is to encourage and direct employees to the U's ReUse Program before purchasing new materials.

https://www.b3mn.org/guidelines/3-0/mw/

Different products contribute to compliance in different guideline categories. The table below lists which guidelines are related to only interior materials and which guidelines may be met using any product selected for the project. This includes Guideline I.1 as it relates to product selection.

All interior materials in project must comply with I.1

55% of all materials are required, some may contribute in multiple categories, so actual % of contributing materials may be lower

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:
1. Approach to Sustainability: Provide a brief, high level description of your company's approach to sustainability (e.g., philosophy, established policy statement, green procedures in place, etc.). 2. Resource Efficiency: What programs do you have in place for promoting resource efficiency? 3. Monitor Supply Chain: What policies are in place to monitor and manage your supply chain for environmental, worker rights, and other sustainability-related risks? 4. Sustainable Packaging: What types of packaging and shipping materials do you use? 5. Shipping: What does your company do to minimize the environmental costs associated with shipping? 6. Energy Efficiency: To what extent do you ensure products you sell are energy efficient and/or EPEAT certified?

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:
Overall Company Approach: Respondents must describe their approach to sustainability in dining services, specifically highlighting regular activities and innovative practices they have undertaken at other locations to advance sustainability. Respondents must explain in detail how they propose to advance sustainability in food service delivery at the University of Minnesota. Potential topics to cover could include (but are not limited to): Operational and culinary practices to reduce resource consumption and pollution, particularly steps taken to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and address climate change impacts of food systems; Education and outreach to diners on sustainability; Local sourcing or farm-to-table programs, particular sourcing from small, women, and/or BIPOC producers; and,Managing processes to reduce waste and increase diversion of waste to recycling, composting, or other preferred disposal methods. Upload to the Response Attachment Section.

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:
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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:
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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:
---

Optional Fields 

Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable procurement program or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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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.