University of Winnipeg
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

The University's purchasing policy is attached. Purchasing Policy: https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/institutional-analysis/docs/policies/purchasing-policy.pdf Purchasing Procedures: https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/sustainability/docs/approved-purchasing-procedures-revision-nov-20-2018-with-february-2019-revisions.pdf Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines: https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/sustainability/docs/sustainable-purchasing-guidelines1.pdf All requisitions and RFPs for goods and services greater than $5,000 must include a completed sustainability questionnaire, the results of which help determine the selection of contractors, service providers and vendors. This is done through our purchasing software. The questions included on the questionnaire are attached as a PDF below.

Our Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines mandate that chemical products meet: Green Guard: Gives assurance that products designed for use in indoor spaces meet strict chemical emissions limits. It covers a range of items, including furniture and building or Certipur: Ensures that foams are made without toxic chemicals. Covers foams, especially mattresses. Maintenance staff and cleaning contractors are instructed to use Eco-Logo certified products wherever such options are available. Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines: https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/sustainability/docs/sustainable-purchasing-guidelines1.pdf Green Cleaning Guidelines: https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/sustainability/docs/cleaning-guidelines2.pdf All requisitions and RFPs for goods and services greater than $5,000 must include a completed sustainability questionnaire, the results of which help determine the selection of contractors, service providers and vendors. This is done through our purchasing software. The questions included on the questionnaire are attached as a PDF below.

UWinnipeg's Capital Construction and Renovations Procedures has several sustainability criteria. First, any new construction or major renovation project 10,000 square feet or larger shall be built to LEED Silver standards or better. Projects smaller than 10,000 square feet shall comply with Procedures and Guidelines set under the Asset Management Policy. Second, the business Plans for construction and renovation products must include: - an assessment of the impact of the project on the University’s sustainability goals including o impact on the University’s energy use profile and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions profile, o opportunities to leverage the project to achieve sustainability improvements, as well as o identification of key social sustainability impacts of the project. Third, the Campus Sustainability Coordinator must be on the planning committee for projects over $100,000. The Capital Construction and Renovations Procedures also requires projects to consider and, where possible, adhere to the Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines. Most relevant to this question are the critreia for Furnature. Furnature must: - be either GREENGUARD or SCS Indoor Advantage certified. For types of furniture not certified under these programs, they should meet the following criteria to be considered as contributing towards achievement of Targets: o Wood products shall be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council o Foam cushioning shall be manufactured without the use of HCFCs. o Adhesives used on construction/assembly, including fiberboard binders must be formaldehyde-free. o Furniture glues and adhesives must be low VOC or VOC free (water-based adhesives) * Vendor shall supply Material Safety Data Sheets for all adhesives used in manufacturing process * Products must have been tested, following ANSI/BIFMA Standard Method M7.1–2011, and must comply with ANSI/BIFMA e3- 2011 Furniture Sustainability Standard, Sections 7.6.1 (valued at 50% cost) or 7.6.2 (valued at 100% cost) o Metal component must be powder coated o Metal components must contain minimum average 30% recycled content o Plastic component must contain post-consumer recycled content o Fabric options must include biodegradable or recycled content o Lighting components shall be equipped with energy efficient lighting Capital Construction and Renovations Procedures: https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/sustainability/docs/capital-construction-and-renovations-procedures---february-5,-2019.pdf Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines: https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/sustainability/docs/sustainable-purchasing-guidelines1.pdf All requisitions and RFPs for goods and services greater than $5,000 must include a completed sustainability questionnaire, the results of which help determine the selection of contractors, service providers and vendors. This is done through our purchasing software. The questions included on the questionnaire are attached as a PDF below.

UWinnipeg's Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines require that all IT equipment purchased on campus meet EPEAT Gold level certification, and where this is not possible, they need to have ENERGY STAR rating. UWinnipeg's Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines: https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/sustainability/docs/sustainable-purchasing-guidelines1.pdf All requisitions and RFPs for goods and services greater than $5,000 must include a completed sustainability questionnaire, the results of which help determine the selection of contractors, service providers and vendors. This is done through our purchasing software. The questions included on the questionnaire are attached as a PDF below.

The Licencing Agreement for our food service provider contains the following sustainability clauses: 9. ensuring that, in keeping with the University's sustainable development practice, kitchen cleaning materials shall, wherever possible, be Eco-Labeled certified products of high quality and environmentally friendly, non-harmful to and suitable for the surfaces for which they are intended 10. ensuring that wherever possible, cleaning products shall be purchased in containers which are reusable (refillable), returnable or recyclable. If materials prove unacceptable at any time, arrangements shall be made as necessary to assure acceptable replacements. Any chemical compound must be accompanied with the appropriate Material Safety Data Sheets In addition, UWinnipeg's food service food service providers must follow our Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines which contain several criteria for food purchases: Plastic Drinkware (Travel mugs, sports bottles): - BPA free, Polyvinl chloride (PVC) free, and made from at least 15% recycled content Packaging made up of 100% post-consumer waste material Coffee and Tea: - Shade grown - Certified organic - Fair Trade certified or Direct Trade - Rainforest Alliance UWinnipeg's Sustainable Purchasing Guideline: https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/sustainability/docs/sustainable-purchasing-guidelines1.pdf

The following criteria established in UWinnipeg's Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines pertain to garments and linens: Clothing: - Provide the University’s code of conduct to bidders for review and signature confirming compliance with WRC standards. - Certified organic natural fibres (wool, cotton, linen); OR highly renewable fibres (bamboo,hemp); OR low-impact recycled synthetic fibres (polyester) - Manufactured using non-toxic or reduced toxicity fiber processes, treatments and dyes - Garments can be easily laundered and thoroughly cleaned in cool water using environmentally friendly detergents and bleaches - Design and color choices aimed at longevity rather than planned obsolescence - Cloth bags and totes made from certified organic cotton, highly renewable fibers (eg. Hemp, bamboo), and/or recycled synthetic fibres - Garments and linens should also have one of these ratings where possible: * Bluesign: Assures that textiles are produced in low-impact manner and meet stringent consumer safety requirements *GoodWeave: Certifies that no child, forced or bonded labor was used in the making of a certified product, and that the purchase supports programs that educate children and ensure decent work for adults. Covers carpets and rugs. UWinnipeg's Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines: https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/sustainability/docs/sustainable-purchasing-guidelines1.pdf Furthermore, the University of Winnipeg is affiliated with the Workers’ Rights Consortium (WRC) and, as such, a condition of this purchase is that the Vendor is in compliance with the standards set by the WRC. All requisitions and RFPs for goods and services greater than $5,000 must include a completed sustainability questionnaire, the results of which help determine the selection of contractors, service providers and vendors. This is done through our purchasing software. The questions included on the questionnaire are attached as a PDF below.

UWinnipeg's Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines contain the following Criteria relating to wood and paper products: Office Copier Paper:  Must contain 100% post-consumer recycled content  Chlorine free  Must be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council Other Office Paper (business cards, letterhead paper, envelopes, etc.):  Must contain 100% post-consumer recycled content  Chlorine free  Must be certified by the Forest Stewardship Council Office and Deskware (Paper and Pen products): Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines: https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/sustainability/docs/sustainable-purchasing-guidelines1.pdf All requisitions and RFPs for goods and services greater than $5,000 must include a completed sustainability questionnaire, the results of which help determine the selection of contractors, service providers and vendors. This is done through our purchasing software. The questions included on the questionnaire are attached as a PDF below.

Criteria for a wide assortment of commodity types are contained within UWinnipeg's Sustainable Purchasing Guidelines: https://www.uwinnipeg.ca/sustainability/docs/sustainable-purchasing-guidelines1.pdf Other products should be certified under one of the following programs:  EnergyStar: An energy efficiency rating, largely for electronic appliances, that is based on thresholds below the minimum standards for energy efficiency set by the US EPA.  WaterSense: An water efficiency rating, largely for plumbing fixtures, that is based on thresholds below the minimum standards for water efficiency set by the US EPA.  Cradle to Cradle: Looks at holistic efficiency from the creation to the disposal of a product. It covers a range of items, including carpeting and other indoor décor and building materials.  Green Seal: Aimed at protecting human health and reducing toxic pollution and waste. It covers a range of items, including cleaning products.  Green Guard: Gives assurance that products designed for use in indoor spaces meet strict chemical emissions limits. It covers a range of items, including furniture and building  Canadian Organic: Ensures that products are in line with the Candian government’s Organic Standards. Covers food products.  USDA Organic: Ensures that products are in line with the US government’s National Organic Standards. Covers food products.  Fair Trade: Assures the ethical treatment of producers. Covers food products and clothing.  Rainforest Alliance: An agricultural standard that accounts for economic, social, and environmental sustainability. Covers food products.  Forest Stewardship Council: A chain of custody certification that verifies that products are handled correctly at every stage of production. Covers wood and paper.  EcoLogo: A lifecycle based environmental certification. Covers a range of items, including office supplies and cleaning products.  EPEAT: Examines the environmental impact and efficiency of electronics, especially computers.  Workers Rights Consortium: Certifies members (eg. the UWinnipeg Bookstore) and supplies third party auditing of labor rights compliance and working conditions in factories supplying members. Largely for clothing.  Fair Labour Association: Certifies members and supplies third party auditing of labor rights compliance and working conditions in factories supplying members. Largely for clothing.  B Corporation: A certification for businesses that legally requires them to report the impact of their decisions on their workers, customers, suppliers, community, and the environment. Covers businesses with a range of products.  Bluesign: Assures that textiles are produced in low-impact manner and meet stringent consumer safety requirements.  Certipur: Ensures that foams are made without toxic chemicals. Covers foams, especially mattresses.  Climate Registered: A certification for organizations that undergo greenhouse gas reporting in their operations so they can manage and reduce it. Covers organizations with a range of products/services.  GoodWeave: Certifies that no child, forced or bonded labor was used in the making of a certified product, and that the purchase supports programs that educate children and ensure decent work for adults. Covers carpets and rugs.  Level: A lifecycle sustainability rating for furniture.  SCS: Production and materials sustainability rating that covers a range of items, including food and paper. All requisitions and RFPs for goods and services greater than $5,000 must include a completed sustainability questionnaire, the results of which help determine the selection of contractors, service providers and vendors. This is done through our purchasing software. The questions included on the questionnaire are attached as a PDF below. Office and Deskware (Paper and Pen products):  Note that when you purchase office supplies online from your OfficeMax University of Winnipeg Account, more sustainable options appear first.  Paper containing 100% post-consumer waste and be Forest Stewardship Council certified  Soy, vegetable, or water based inks  Portfolio covers made of >50% recycled plastic  Pens with a body made of bio-plastic or 100% post-consumer waste paper or recycled plastic  Did you know: UWinnipeg purchases 100% post-consumer recycled paper? Miscellaneous:  Cloth bags and totes made from certified organic cotton, highly renewable fibers (eg. Hemp, bamboo), and/or recycled synthetic fibres  Lanyards made from recycled cotton or 100% recycled plastic  Metal based promotional products must be lead free Gifts and recognition (plaques and magnets):  Wood parts should be bamboo or sustainable wood products (FSC Certified)  Paper magnets should be 100% post-consumer waste fibers  Frames, plaques, etc should be lead free and use recycled glass as possible

After receiving STARS staff review feedback, we are no longer pursuing the Life Cycle Cost Analysis credit. Also in response to the feedback we received: The Construction and Renovation section has been properly updated. We have included links to two university procedures documents that contain purchasing criteria for construction and renovation projects, and we have also copied the specific criteria into the reporting field. The Food Services section has been properly updated. It now includes sustainability-related clauses from out food services provider License Agreement. It also We have included a link to the University’s Sustainability Purchasing Guidelines which the food provider must also followed. The food-related criteria from this document have been copied into the reporting field. In addition to Construction and Renovation, and Food Services, it came to our attention that important information pertaining to other categories within part three of this credit were missing. We believe there was an error when saving our original submission. Please note that we have also added links to our procurement guidelines and included specific purchasing criteria for the following categories: Information Technology, Garments and Linens, Wood and Paper, and Other