| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 69.26 |
| Liaison | Gioia Thompson |
| Submission Date | March 1, 2017 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
University of Vermont
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
1.00 / 3.00 |
Natalie
Guillette Director Purchasing |
Does the institution have written policies, guidelines or directives that seek to support sustainable purchasing across commodity categories institution-wide?:
A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
The policies, guidelines or directives:
Does the institution employ Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) when evaluating energy- and water-using products and systems?:
Which of the following best describes the institution’s use of LCCA?:
A brief description of the LCCA policy and/or practices:
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)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:
It is the Custodial Services Department’s intention to continue purchasing the following products identified for their sustainability criteria:
100% recycled content paper goods
Recycled content plastic bags
Green Seal products whenever possible
Ozone Water as primary cleaner
Migration to chemical free floor stripping
Use of cold water chemicals
http://www.uvm.edu/custodial/?Page=sustainability.html
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating construction and renovation products (e.g. furnishings and building materials)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for construction and renovation products:
The Environmental Design in New and Renovated Buildings policy requires that environmental objectives, with accompanying metrics, be developed specific to each new building and major renovation. At a minimum, environmental objectives will include achieving a level of LEED™ “Silver” for the most appropriate LEED™ rating system; and formal building commissioning, in accordance with LEED™ requirements.
Full policy: https://www.uvm.edu/policies/facil/greenbuilding.pdf
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)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for IT products and services:
We do several things to improve the energy efficiency of our server rooms and datacenters. Servers and storage are chosen for their environmental efficiency. When we make large purchases, we carefully look at the power draw of the new equipment and that is one of the points we evaluate. We generally look for performance/($*watt) as one of our measurements of the value of a product. Lower cost and lower power help the score of a product. Part of this is looking at the power supplies of our servers and ensuring that they are high efficiency power supplies.
We follow the EPEAT guidelines for all applicable electronics purchases. 98% of university purchased and leased electronics meet EPEAT gold or silver rating
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food services (i.e. franchises, vending services, concessions, convenience stores)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food services:
Key sustainability elements of UVM’s five-year contract with Sodexo:
Greater integration of Food Systems academic initiatives into the campus dining experience. Initiatives will include partnerships with academic departments to support student internships; conduct food and nutrition research; collaborations to address food-related social issues; and greater access to education on food and nutrition topics.
Enhanced options for food prepared by local vendors, including the introduction of Skinny Pancake, Vermont Bean Crafters, and SoYo Frozen Yogurt. Current vendors such as New World Tortilla, Ben & Jerry’s, and Vermont Kosher will remain part of the mix. Local coffee offerings will be expanded to include Speeder & Earl’s and Vermont Artisan Coffee & Tea Company.
Transparent sourcing – As much of our food as possible will meet one or more of the following criteria:
Sourced locally (within 250 miles) from independently and or cooperatively owned producers and the university farm, with the vendor’s national supply contracts used only for those products that cannot be locally sourced;
Special emphasis on capturing Vermont’s seasonal bounty;
Grown and harvested food using ecologically sound principles, including organic products and sustainable seafood;
Certified as fairly traded;
Certified for humane treatment of animals.
New Eco-Ware Program. All first-year students will receive a washable, re-usable container to carry meals from the residential dining halls, which will reduce food packaging waste.
Maximized use of fresh whole foods while minimizing the use of processed foods.
http://www.uvm.edu/newsstories/news/uvm_signs_new_dining_contract_better_serve_campus_community_support_university
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating garments and linens?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for garments and linens:
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating professional services (e.g. architectural, engineering, public relations, financial)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional services:
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)?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating wood and paper products?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for wood and paper products:
We have a stated preference for recycled content paper and actively promote the options our vendors offer. For example, we offer 100% recycled content paper as our least expensive paper option. We have noticed skepticism about the quality of recycled paper. To help with that, our vendor offers a satisfaction guarantee for anyone who is hesitant about ordering recycled paper. Communications about ordering the preferred 100% recycled content paper gets announced to our Budget & Finance Administrators Network (BFAN), which includes anyone at UVM who has a finance or budget role for a department. Here is an example of a message sent to the BFAN Listserve in November 2015 that includes promotion of our 100% recycled content paper preference. https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9Z3is7XyzDLdnRiSF93X1ZYWDg
A graphic promoting the 100% recycled content paper was posted on Purchasing website main page, the Division of Finance webpage and displated on two TV screens in our administrative building for six months in 2016.: https://drive.google.com/open?id=0B9Z3is7XyzDLQzdiLXJXQ056Nm8
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?:
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for other commodity categories:
The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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.