Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 46.82
Liaison Ashley Woolman
Submission Date May 16, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Western Colorado University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.00 / 3.00 Sherry Ford
Manager, Business Services
Business Services
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Part 1: Institution-Wide Policies 

Does the institution have written policies, guidelines or directives that seek to support sustainable purchasing across commodity categories institution-wide?:
Yes

A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
The policies, guidelines or directives:
Pages 67 -74

Part 2: Life Cycle Cost Analysis 

Does the institution employ Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) when evaluating energy- and water-using products and systems?:
No

Which of the following best describes the institution’s use of LCCA?:
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A brief description of the LCCA policy and/or practices:
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Part 3: Commodity-Specific Sustainability Criteria

To count, the criteria must address the specific sustainability challenges and impacts associated with products/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

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)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:
Leed Gold standards and Green Policy attached a. Cleaning solvents should be biodegradable, phosphate free, and citrus-based, and/or vinegar when their use will not compromise quality of service. b. Industrial and institutional cleaning products that meet Green Seal certification standards or environmental preferability and performance shall be purchased or required to be used by janitorial contractors. c. All surfactants and detergents used shall be readily biodegradable and shall not contain phosphates. e. Whenever possible, products and equipment should not contain lead or mercury. For products that contain lead or mercury, preference should be given to those products with lower quantities of these metals and to suppliers with established lead and mercury recovery programs. f. Pest control shall be managed through prevention—physical and mechanical—and through the purchase of environmentally friendly products. As a last resort, use of the least toxic pest control substance is required

Construction and Renovation 

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating construction and renovation products (e.g. furnishings and building materials)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for construction and renovation products:
Leed Gold standards and Green Policy attached 4-d. Paper, paper products, and construction products made from nonwood, plant-based contents such as agricultural crops and residues are encouraged. 5-a. Ensure that all wood and wood contained within the products that WSCU purchases is certified to be sustainably harvested by a comprehensive, performance-based certification system. The certification system shall include independent third-party audits, with standards equivalent to, or stricter than, those of the Forest Stewardship Council certification. 5-b. Purchase or use of previously used or salvaged wood and wood products are encouraged. 6-c. When specifying asphalt concrete, aggregate base or cement concrete for road construction projects, recycled, reusable, or reground materials shall be used when practicable. 6-d. The use of reclaimed stone and brick and the use of secondary or recycled aggregates shall be specified. 8. Green Building 1. Green purchasing concepts shall be integrated into architectural designs, final construction documents, and the final construction of all university buildings and renovations of property or facilities owned by the university. All buildings and renovations undertaken by the university shall follow green building practices for design, construction, and operations, where appropriate, as described in the LEED Rating System. 2. When maintaining buildings, products such as paint, carpeting, adhesives, furniture and casework with the lowest amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), highest recycled content, and low or no formaldehyde shall be used when practicable. 3. All carpet distributors and/or manufacturers of carpet installed at the university shall have a carpet recycling plan that is approved by Purchasing and Business Services. 4. The use of chlorofluorocarbon and halon-containing refrigerants, solvents, and other products shall be phased out, and new purchases of heating/ventilating/air conditioning, refrigeration, insulation, and fire suppression systems shall not contain them.

Information Technology (IT) 

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)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for IT products and services:
a. All desktop computers, notebooks/laptops, monitors/displays, and imaging equipment purchased must meet all Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) environmental criteria designated as “gold” as contained in the IEEE 1680 Standard for the Environmental Assessment of Personal Computer Products. All televisions purchased must meet the highest EPEAT rating available at the time of purchase. b. Copiers and printers purchased shall be compatible with the use of recycled content and remanufactured products. c. Copiers will have double-sided printing capability. d. All electrical products purchased by WSCU shall meet the US EPA Energy Star certification when available and practicable. When products with Energy Star labels are not available, products that are in the upper 25 per cent of energy efficiency as designated by the federal Energy Management Program shall be used. e. Suppliers of electronic equipment, including but not limited to computers, monitors, printers, and copiers, shall be required to take back equipment for reuse or environmentally safe recycling when deemed appropriate by WSCU.

Food Services 

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food services (i.e. franchises, vending services, concessions, convenience stores)?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food services:
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Garments and Linens 

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating garments and linens?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for garments and linens:
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Professional Services 

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating professional services (e.g. architectural, engineering, public relations, financial)?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional services:
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Transportation and Fuels 

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)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
1-f. When acquiring vehicles, the university shall purchase/lease less polluting alternatives to diesel, such as compressed natural gas, biobased fuels, hybrids, electric batteries, and fuel cells, as available and suitable for the use intended. 4-c. Vehicle fuels made from nonwood, plant-based contents such as vegetable oils are encouraged.

Wood and Paper 

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating wood and paper products?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for wood and paper products:
4-d. Paper, paper products, and construction products made from nonwood, plant-based contents such as agricultural crops and residues are encouraged. 5. Forest Conservation a. Ensure that all wood and wood contained within the products that WSCU purchases is certified to be sustainably harvested by a comprehensive, performance-based certification system. The certification system shall include independent third-party audits, with standards equivalent to, or stricter than, those of the Forest Stewardship Council certification. b. Purchase or use of previously used or salvaged wood and wood products are encouraged.

Other Commodity Categories 

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?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for other commodity categories:
The attached Green Purchasing Manual details policies on landscaping, water efficiency, packaging, etc.

Optional Fields 

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:
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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.