The University of Texas at Dallas
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Guideline UT Dallas staff and faculty departments are encouraged to purchase office supplies, tools, equipment and other products that possess an “environmental preferable” designation. Rationale The Office of Sustainability at The University of Texas at Dallas is committed to encouraging the incorporation of sustainability into the campus’s overall purchasing strategy. In 1993, The Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) developed a program and practice known as Environmental Preferable Purchasing (EPP), or otherwise known as Green Purchasing. This program aims to minimize environmental impacts associated with purchasing products and waste generation. Benefits to environmental preferable purchasing  Reduces environmental impact as an institution of higher education.  Potential long-term cost savings.  Departmental recognition for EPP.  Initiates a new innovative purchasing precedent. Scope This guideline applies to the university main campus and other university-owned facilities in the Dallas Metroplex. This guideline will set a precedent for environmental preferable purchasing throughout The University of Texas at Dallas. Definition In accordance to the EPA, environmental preferable refers to “products or services that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared with competing products or services that serve the same purpose”. Implementation From computers to office paper to cleaning products, there are ecolabels and certifications that exist to identify environmental preferable products. For example, please see the below.  Greenguard  Green Seal  Forest Stewardship Council  Veriflora  EcoLogo  EPEAT  Energy Star  UL SPOT Product Search  US EPA Safer Choice Labeled Electronics Purchasing The University of Texas at Dallas is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) oriented institution of higher education. Therefore, electronics represent a high cost product to university departments. To reduce potential long-term costs and encourage energy efficiency, at a minimum, The Office of Sustainability recommends reviewing Energy Star Certified products. Taking environmental preferable purchasing one-step further, consider EPEAT registered electronics. Office Paper Purchasing The University of Texas at Dallas is comprised of numerous departments and offices. Throughout the workday, paper is a high use product in producing reports, plans, programs and many other uses. To reduce the overall cost of paper purchasing, The Office of Sustainability recommends evaluating the feasibility of utilizing digital documents and shared drives when practical and possible. If this is not possible, please consider purchasing post-consumer recycled office paper. Most office supply retailer’s offer recycled paper products. Chemical Products & Services The University of Texas at Dallas Facilities Management manages custodial and grounds services that includes the purchasing and utilization of cleaning and pest control products and services. To reduce UT Dallas’s overall footprint, The Office of Sustainability recommends the prioritizing of mechanical methods of cleaning and/or the purchasing of chemical products that have a third party designation as a “green” and/or “organic” based product. Transportation The University of Texas at Dallas accommodates many thousands of vehicles on a semester basis in addition to a campus fleet. To encourage sustainable practices and to reduce our overall footprint, The Office of Sustainability recommends evaluating the feasibility of departments purchasing fuel-efficient, low-emission generating, hybrid, and/or electric vehicles when deliberating on the needs of a department and/or university vehicle and/or golf cart. Garments The University of Texas at Dallas accommodates many thousands of students, staff, faculty, alumni, and visitors throughout the year. Many departments, offices, and university stores purchase garments such as shirts, sweaters, and graduation gowns. To reduce our overall footprint and environmental impact, The Office of Sustainability recommends evaluating the feasibility of purchasing garments that are made of recycled materials and/or supplied by suppliers who adhere to the Fair Labor Association’s Code of Conduct. Furniture & Renovations The University of Texas at Dallas accommodates thousands of staff and faculty and is a growing campus. With growth comes new buildings, offices, and furniture. To reduce our environmental impact and help support sustainable efforts to make buildings more “green”, The Office of Sustainability recommends purchasing furniture or furnishings that are made of recycled material and/or reused from surplus if feasible. Social, Economic and Environmental Impacts The University of Texas at Dallas strives to make a positive impact to support the economic diversity and prosperity within the State of Texas. To nurture economic growth, UT Dallas supports locally based businesses, enterprises, and organizations through engagement, partnership, and business opportunities.

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Chemical Products & Services The University of Texas at Dallas Facilities Management manages custodial and grounds services that includes the purchasing and utilization of cleaning and pest control products and services. To reduce UT Dallas’s overall footprint, The Office of Sustainability recommends the prioritizing of mechanical methods of cleaning and/or the purchasing of chemical products that have a third party designation as a “green” and/or “organic” based product.

Furniture & Renovations The University of Texas at Dallas accommodates thousands of staff and faculty and is a growing campus. With growth comes new buildings, offices, and furniture. To reduce our environmental impact and help support sustainable efforts to make buildings more “green”, The Office of Sustainability recommends purchasing furniture or furnishings that are made of recycled material and/or reused from surplus if feasible.

Electronics Purchasing The University of Texas at Dallas is a STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics) oriented institution of higher education. Therefore, electronics represent a high cost product to university departments. To reduce potential long-term costs and encourage energy efficiency, at a minimum, The Office of Sustainability recommends reviewing Energy Star Certified products. Taking environmental preferable purchasing one-step further, consider EPEAT registered electronics

Yes, in the vending services contracts and Requests for Proposals (RFP), there is energy-saving criteria

Garments The University of Texas at Dallas accommodates many thousands of students, staff, faculty, alumni, and visitors throughout the year. Many departments, offices, and university stores purchase garments such as shirts, sweaters, and graduation gowns. To reduce our overall footprint and environmental impact, The Office of Sustainability recommends evaluating the feasibility of purchasing garments that are made of recycled materials and/or supplied by suppliers who adhere to the Fair Labor Association’s Code of Conduct.

Transportation The University of Texas at Dallas accommodates many thousands of vehicles on a semester basis in addition to a campus fleet. To encourage sustainable practices and to reduce our overall footprint, The Office of Sustainability recommends evaluating the feasibility of departments purchasing fuel-efficient, low-emission generating, hybrid, and/or electric vehicles when deliberating on the needs of a department and/or university vehicle and/or golf cart.

Office Paper Purchasing The University of Texas at Dallas is comprised of numerous departments and offices. Throughout the workday, paper is a high use product in producing reports, plans, programs and many other uses. To reduce the overall cost of paper purchasing, The Office of Sustainability recommends evaluating the feasibility of utilizing digital documents and shared drives when practical and possible. If this is not possible, please consider purchasing post-consumer recycled office paper. Most office supply retailer’s offer recycled paper products.