Overall Rating Silver
Overall Score 61.15
Liaison Ashley Woolman
Submission Date April 8, 2022

STARS v2.2

Western Colorado University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.25 / 3.00 Sherry Ford
Manager, Business Services
Business Services
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

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

A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
The policies, guidelines or directives:

Pages 67 -74


Does the institution employ Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) when evaluating energy- and water-using products and systems?:
Yes

Which of the following best describes the institution’s use of LCCA?:
Institution employs LCCA less comprehensively, e.g. for certain types of systems or projects and not others

A brief description of the LCCA policy and/or practices:

Western considers LCCA when comparing new products to one another and assessing the total cost of ownership of the life cycle of a new product. The future costs, such as maintenance, replacement for parts, and energy use and disposal are all evaluated for new purchases. For example, replacement boilers were installed in many buildings during spring 2022, and LCCA methods were used to purchase boilers which would minimize negative environmental impacts.


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating chemically intensive products and services?:
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


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating consumable office products?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for consumable office 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.


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating furniture and furnishings?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for furniture and furnishings:

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.


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating Information technology (IT) and equipment?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for Information Technology (IT) and equipment:

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.


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food service providers?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food service providers:

Although we do not have a formal written standard related to sustainable food procurement, we only hire companies (Sodexo) who have sustainability as one of their top priorities. We have quarterly reviews to make sure our goals are aligned with their service.


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:

Sodexo- tablechoths?


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating professional service providers?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional service providers:

NA


Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating transportation and fuels?:
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.


Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable procurement program or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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