Overall Rating | Gold |
---|---|
Overall Score | 65.26 |
Liaison | Matt Wolsfeld |
Submission Date | March 21, 2023 |
University of Saskatchewan
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
Status | Score | Responsible Party |
---|---|---|
2.00 / 3.00 |
Matt
Wolsfeld Community Engagement Co-ordinator Office of Sustainability |
Part 1. Institution-wide sustainable procurement policies
A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
The policies, guidelines or directives:
"2.3 SUSTAINABILITY
The U of S is committed to support principles of sustainability in procurement decisions, wherever practical. This includes consideration of environmental, social, ethical and economic impacts.
Proposals should include a description of any corporate sustainability policy and sustainability initiatives currently in place, in process of being implemented or in the planning stages. Sustainability initiatives include both general initiatives within your organization and proposed initiatives specific to this procurement."
For staff, sustainable procurement information and guidelines for the University of Saskatchewan are available online at the Office of Sustainability web page. This web page contains an introduction to sustainable purchasing, definitions, information on certifications to look for, a checklist for sustainable purchasing and commodity protocols for a variety of products purchased by the university.
Part 2. Life Cycle Cost Analysis
Which of the following best describes the institution’s use of LCCA?:
A brief description of the LCCA policy and/or practices:
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
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:
For de-icers, Eco-Logo certified products, natural acetate-based de-icers and calcium chloride are preferred. Sodium and magnesium chloride and phosphates as a corrosion inhibitor should be avoided.
For fertilizers, Eco-Logo certified organic compost and cadmium-free fertilizers are preferred. Native species that don't require fertilizers are also recommended. Chemical fertilizers and sewer-sludge fertilizers are avoided.
For cleaners, EcoLogo or Green Seal certified products, biocompatible, food grade dyes and approved fragrances, strict toxicity limits are preferred. Alkylphenolethoxylate surfants, toxic chemicals and volatile organic compounds are avoided.
Consumable office products
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for consumable office products:
For paper products, high post-consumer recycled fibre content, non-wood fibres, chlorine-free, low brightness, and EcoLogo certified is preferred. Long distance transport and unsustainably harvested wood resources should be avoided.
For paperboard packaging, EcoLogo certified products and sustainably harvested paper is preferred. Virgin paper materials and chlorine bleached paper should be avoided.
For wood products, recycled plastic wood, FSC certified lumber, fast growing renewable materials and reused or recycled lumber is preferred. Virgin lumber, formaldehyde and VOCs and CCA pressure treated wood should be avoided.
Furniture and furnishings
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for furniture and furnishings:
For furniture, Eco-Logo and FSC-certified natural fibres, locally manufactured and Canadian-made latex foam and refurbished furniture are preferred.Plastic foam containing CFCs or HCFCs, formaldehyde and VOC emitting materials, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, synthetic fibres and polyurethane foam should be avoided.
For road materials, recycled content, supplementary cementing material and permeable pavement are preferred. Virgin materials should be avoided.
For paint, EcoLogo certified, recycled products and water-based solvents (“latex”) are preferred. VOCs and petrochemical-based components should be avoided.
For light bulbs, Eco-Logo certified, occupancy sensors and energy efficient designs and bulbs including LEDs are preferred.
For caulking compounds, EcoLogo certified products, appropriate amounts of sealant,
durable and long-lasting, water-based clean-up are preferred. High VOC compounds (>5% by weight) or heavy metals should be avoided.
For piping recycled PVC material is preferred. Excessive piping should be avoided.
For tools, durable high-quality tools and sustainable materials are preferred. Plastic components, toxic finishes and compound materials should be avoided.
Information Technology (IT) and equipment
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for Information Technology (IT) and equipment:
For batteries, EcoLogo certified, rechargeable, extended life and recyclable batteries are preferred.
For cell phones, take-back programs and sustainable design innovations are preferred. Paper billing should be avoided.
For electronic equipment, EcoLogo, EPEAT or Energy Star certified, recyclable products,
take-back programs, leased electronics and multi-functional devices are preferred.
For printing ink, EcoLogo certified, soy-based and vegetable-based inks, waterless printing and low VOC ink are preferred. Heavy metals and petroleum-based ink should be avoided.
For large appliances, Energy Star or EcoLogo approved appliances and favourable Energuide ratings are preferred.
Food service providers
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food service providers:
For coffee and tea, Fair-trade, EcoLogo certified products, water or C02 decaffeination,
shade grown or organically grown is preferred. Excess packaging and chemical decaffeination should be avoided.
For food service equipment, Energy Star approved, recyclable products and durable, long-lasting equipment are preferred. High plastic content should be avoided.
For vending machines, an appropriate number of machines, Energy Star approved machines, efficient lighting and proximity sensors are preferred. Plastic components, CFC and HCFC refrigerants should be avoided.
Garments and linens
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for garments and linens:
For apparel, recycled fabrics, biodegradable dyes, certification of fair labour practices, organic fibres and renewable materials are preferred. Treatment with chlorine-based bleaches and wrinkle-resistant materials should be avoided.
For bedding, products manufactured in Canada, encased products, natural fibres, and natural latex foam is preferred. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers, wrinkle-resistant fabrics and polyurethane foam is avoided.
Professional service providers
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional service providers:
Transportation and fuels
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
For transport, sea and rail freight, carbon-offsetting, consolidated and scheduled delivery and minimal packaging are preferred. Air freight and daily on-demand delivery should be avoided.
For fuels, low in sulphur and/or additives, low carbon content (such as natural
gas or propane) and mixtures with renewable products (biodiesel or ethanol) are preferred. High carbon content (such as gasoline or diesel) should be avoided.
For vehicles, high fuel efficiency, designed for easy reuse or recycling and right-sized vehicles are preferred. Mercury in headlights and switches should be avoided.
For tires, low resistance tires, EcoLogo certified, retreaded tires and long life and wear performance are preferred. High resistance tires should be avoided.
For sorbents, recycled sorbents, the correct sorbent for the spill, and biocompatible sorbents are preferred. Reusable sorbents should be avoided.
For antifreeze, EcoLogo certified, recycled, extended-life antifreeze or polypropylene glycol are preferred. Ethylene glycol should be avoided.
Optional Fields
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.