Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 60.20
Liaison Jonathan Rausseo
Submission Date March 29, 2018
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

University of Ottawa
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.50 / 3.00 Patrick Fore
director
procurement services
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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

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

When large energy intensive equipment is purchased, a Life Cycle Cost Analysis is conducted to determine its utility cost over the life of the equipment.


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating chemically intensive products and services (e.g. building and facilities maintenance, cleaning and sanitizing, landscaping and grounds maintenance)?:
Yes

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

The University of Ottawa does not use cosmetic pesticides on campus, which is in line with Provincial regulations.

The University of Ottawa also has a green cleaning policy in place. The policy is aligned with GS 42, which establishes environmental requirements for cleaning service providers of commercial, public, and institutional buildings, including in-house and external cleaning services, to create a green cleaning program that protects human health and the environment.


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating construction and renovation products (e.g. furnishings and building materials)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for construction and renovation products:

In our design guidelines for construction include various sustainability aspects. Green roofs, LEED Certification, recycling station standards, and material recycling of demolished buildings are all included in our construction standards.
Furthermore, we ask that some plastic be composed of recycled content, that wood products be FSC certified, and that materials achieve certain standards of durability.


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating Information technology (IT) products and services (e.g. computers, imaging equipment, mobile phones, data centers and cloud services)?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for IT products and services:
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Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food services (i.e. franchises, vending services, concessions, convenience stores)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food services:

For companies who wish to bid on our food service contract or be a vendor on campus, the University of Ottawa has specified various sustainability criteria (including local food, vegan options, fair trade certified products, and MSC products) that must be ensured by the Food Service provider in order to operate on campus.

-Vendors must follow the University of Ottawa goal with respects to waste management.
-No vendor on campus, including vending machines, can sell bottled water
-Vendors must serve products that are fair trade certified if a fair trade alternative exists.
-Vendors must offer compostable or recyclable packaging for take-away products and meals.
-Vendors must demonstrate a commitment to sustainability, either through policy or practices.


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

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

All clothing bearing the University of Ottawa's logo must comply with policy 98, which requires the ethical treatment of workers.


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating professional services (e.g. architectural, engineering, public relations, financial)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional services:

The University of Ottawa requires that specific measures be implemented when hiring professional services. We require that new buildings pursue LEED certification and that all documentation be sent electronically rather than in paper format.


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating transportation and fuels (e.g. travel, vehicles, delivery services, long haul transport, generator fuels, steam plants)?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:

N/A


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating wood and paper products?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for wood and paper products:

In our construction tender documents, we ask that all wood products have a minimum 75% FSC certified wood, and that any paper documentation be submitted on 100% post-consumer recycled paper.


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating products and services in other commodity categories that the institution has determined to have significant sustainability impacts?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for other commodity categories:

N/A


The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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.