| Overall Rating | Gold - expired |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 74.42 |
| Liaison | Mary-Lee Townsend |
| Submission Date | Feb. 1, 2018 |
| Executive Letter | Download |
Western University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.25 / 3.00 |
Connor
Donald Sustainability Coordinator Facilities Management |
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:
PACES, the President's Advisory Committee on Environment and Sustainability, has developed a campus strategy entitled "Creating a Sustainable Western Experience". In response to this strategy, Western's Procurement Services has created a guide known as "Purple to Green: Sustainable Procurement Guidelines", that will assist PACES in achieving its sustainable purchasing goals. Within the Purple to Green: Sustainable Procurement Guidelines, it states that "Western has a responsibility to procure products with minimal environmental impacts and select products that are ethically sourced. Choosing products that consume fewer natural resources, have minimal waste outputs, and have a long life span are not only better for the environment, but also for our pockets. Procuring such products can lead to smarter returns on investments, happier employees, and a healthier planet." Additionally, it guides departments throughout campus to "purchase locally manufactured and Canadian made products when economically feasible".
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:
1.00 Those responsible for the procurement of goods and services will have regard for the development of an environmentally sustainable campus by endeavoring to purchase goods and services which meet a comprehensive range of sustainability criteria while complying with all University principles, policies, financial controls and provisions.
2.00 Procurement Services is guided by the evaluation of environmental, social and economic factors to facilitate the responsible acquisition of goods and services for all Western departments. Sustainability in procurement at Western is heightened through: (a) the use of guidelines by User Departments. (b) the inclusion of an assessment of the goods and services being procured, based on a comprehensive range of sustainability criteria, within the tender process. (c) the use of life-cycle accounting, when possible, to maximize value-for money.
http://www.uwo.ca/finance/forms/docs/procurement/Sustainable%20Policy%20.pdf
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:
Disposable janitorial paper and trash bag products must meet the minimum requirements of one or more of the following programs for the applicable product category: 1. U.S. EPA Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines for Janitorial Paper and Paper Trash Can Liners 2. Green Seal GS-09, for paper towels and napkins 3. Green Seal GS-01, for tissue paper 4. Environmental Choice CCD-082, for toilet tissue 5. Environmental Choice CCD-086, for hand towels 6. Janitorial paper products derived from rapidly renewable resources or made from tree-free fibres
Cleaning and maintenance products, excluding janitorial paper products, must meet at least one of the following sustainability criteria: o Green Seal GS-37, for general purpose, bathroom, glass and carpet cleaners used for industrial and institutional purposes Environmental Choice CCD-110, for cleaning and degreasing compounds o Environmental Choice CCD-146, for hard surface cleaners o Environmental Choice CCD-148, for carpet and upholstery care • Disinfectants, metal polish, floor finishes, strippers or other products not addressed by the above standards meet one or more of the following standards for the appropriate category: o Green Seal GS-40, for industrial and institutional floor care products o Environmental Choice CCD-112, for digestion additives cleaning and odour control o Environmental Choice CCD-115, for odour control additives o Environmental Choice CCD-147, for hard floor care o California Code of Regulations maximum allowable VOC levels for the specific product category • Hand soaps must meet one or more of the following standards: o No antimicrobial agents (other than as a preservative) except where required by health codes and other regulations (i.e., food service and health care requirements) o Green Seal GS-41, for industrial and institutional hand cleaners o Environmental Choice CCD-104, for hand cleaners and hand soaps • If a new/additional product is needed for a specific application, the product shall meet the requirements outlined above.
Western purchases all of the cleaning products used in its buildings from Swish Maintenance Ltd.
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:
In 2008, Western established an operational policy that all new building construction and retrofits will achieve a minimum LEED Silver certification. In 2014, this policy was revised to say: "Best efforts should be made to undertake design and construction at a level to achieve a minimum of LEED silver certification, noting there may be renovation projects where this is not achievable without significant additional expenditures. In this case, the Vice-President (Resources & Operations) shall have the final recommendation. This statement does not mean that formal certification will be sought."
Over the past few years, most new buildings and major renovations at Western have targeted a LEED certification, with the two most recent new construction projects targeting Gold (Western's Interdisciplinary Research Building) and Platinum (ThreeC Plus)
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:
The following is taken from the document "From Purple to Green: Western's Sustainable Procurement Guidelines" (2014 - http://www.uwo.ca/finance/forms/docs/procurement/Sustainable%20Purchasing%20Guide.pdf).
Looking for environmentally friendly features among computers, cell phones and other electronics may not be as intuitive as other items being purchased on a more regular basis; however, the following sections can guide more energy efficient and ‘greener’ choices.
Preparing to Buy
•Find items in the office that can be used instead of purchasing new.
•When purchasing, try to buy used.
•Select PVC free products.
•Look for items made with reduced hazardous materials and substances.
•Opt for energy efficient models and chargers.
•Look for durability and long lasting products.
•Check for items made with post-consumer recycled material.
•Choose products with minimal packaging, recyclable packaging, or packaging that can be re-used.
Look for these Labels:
-EPEAT
-RoHS Compliant
-Energy Star
Preferred Suppliers: Dell Canada, Compudata Systems, Stronghold Services.
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:
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:
Yes, for Responsible Investment of the University’s Endowment Fund. “The Investment Committee recognizes that environmental, social and governance (“ESG”) factors may have an impact on corporate performance over the long term, although the impact can vary by industry.”
“Given the relatively small size of the Fund and the fact that most investments are held in pooled vehicles, it is not practical for the University to directly engage individual companies on ESG related issues, either through dialogue or by filing shareholder resolutions. Instead, the University will engage the external investment managers it hires to manage the Fund. The engagement will involve increasing the level of scrutiny on ESG factors. The University will maintain a registry, to be updated on an annual basis, with ESG related information on its external investment managers. The information may include, but is not limited to:
o the incorporation of ESG factors into the firm’s investment process;
o the firm’s target allocation for climate change related investments;
o the presence of a committee on sustainable investment;
o the portfolio’s exposure to fossil fuels, sustainable industries and high impact sectors; and
o details about the firm’s proxy voting policy.”
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:
Paper and Paper Products:
Encourage colleagues to reduce paper use and consider the following when purchasing paper products. Preparing to Buy
o Choose products certified by a reputable forest management system such as the Sustainable Forestry Initiative (SFI) or Forest Stewardship Council (FSC).
o Ensure paper is made with post-consumer recycled content.
o Purchase chlorine-free paper.
o Avoid individual wrappers or excessive packaging by purchasing in bulk.
o Check for non-toxic, natural or water based adhesives.
Preferred Suppliers: DATA Group offers letter head and memo pads that are FSC certified and made of 10% post-consumer recycled content. Official brown envelopes are FSC certified and made of 100% post-consumer recycled content. Office Max (Grand & Toy) offers paper that is SFI certified. They have also combined paper and stationery deliveries so Western’s carbon footprint is minimized.
After the Buy: From sticky notes to envelopes, all office-related paper products can be recycled on campus!
Source: http://uwo.ca/finance/forms/docs/procurement/Sustainable%20Purchasing%20Guide.pdf Page #: 9
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.