Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 69.86
Liaison Nicole Arsenault
Submission Date April 3, 2024

STARS v2.2

York University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 0.75 / 3.00
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Part 1. Institution-wide sustainable procurement policies

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:
1) Within the Guidelines of the Procurement of Goods and Services Procedures, it states that "Goods and services shall be acquired competitively from qualified vendors who meet specific requirements and provide the maximum benefit for funds expended, subject to ethical, environmental, and legal considerations."

https://www.yorku.ca/secretariat/policies/policies/procurement-of-goods-and-services-procedure/

2) Our Procurement Code of Ethics outlines that those employees who are involved in the process of acquiring goods or services shall perform their duties to "encourage suppliers to consider sustainability and social responsibility in their product or service offerings."

https://www.yorku.ca/secretariat/policies/policies/procurement-code-of-ethics/
3) As per our overarching Procurement Policy: ""York University is committed to promoting the values of sustainability and social responsibility. To the degree possible, the University shall incorporate sustainability standards into its procurement practices, and give favorable consideration in its evaluation process to those goods and services which reflect this commitment to sustainability or broader social responsibility."

https://www.yorku.ca/secretariat/policies/policies/procurement-of-goods-and-services-policy/

4) Social Procurement Policy -
York University is now one of Canada's first Universities to have a Social Procurement Policy. Social procurement considers how procurement, the process of buying goods and services, can positively impact the social well-being of communities and assist to reduce poverty, promote economic and social inclusion, and support local economic development and social enterprise. York University is committed to use its purchasing power to benefit local economies and to provide fair access to its procurement services by providing additional opportunities to underrepresented businesses and communities. York's Social Procurement Policy establishes the framework of values and principles for implementing these opportunities.

https://www.yorku.ca/secretariat/policies/policies/social-procurement-policy/

5) York University uses a clause on our tenders which requires them to provide green products ,taking into the consideration the the reusability of products, measures and steps taken to minimize packaging, the ability to recycle any products and if they are ISO 14001 certified. This is the clause used in the RFPs:
"Green Products
The Proponent shall provide environmentally friendly products, which may include but not be limited to:
- Re-usability of any Products;
- Any initiative taken by the Proponent to minimize the amount and weight of packaging used for any products or services supplied or used;
- The ability of the Proponent to recycle any packaging and products;
- Products that are recyclable include paper, cardboard, glass bottles, metal cans, #1 plastic (polyethylene terephthalate), #2 plastic (high-density polyethylene, #4 plastic (low-density polyethylene) and #5 plastic (polypropylene); and
- ISO 14001 certification.

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?:
---

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

Part 3. Product-specific sustainability criteria

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

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:
The purchase and proper use of sustainable cleaning, custodial, and hard floor care products shall meet York University’s sustainability criteria for these products as defined in Appendix A of the attached link for the YU Green Cleaning Program.
These products will be used in cleaning throughout the interiors of York U buildings. Interiors of these buildings include all circulation and hallway areas, classrooms, laboratories, offices, conference rooms, restrooms, cafeterias, fitness centres and other recreational areas. - Custodial products must meet ECOLOGO and/or Green Seal certification where products are available.
- Custodial products should be packaged in recycled packaging that is recyclable.
- Preference shall be given to products that meet the goals of this program to the greatest degree."

https://www.yorku.ca/facilities/wp-content/uploads/sites/46/2020/12/YU-Green-Cleaning-Program-2019-002.pdf

Consumable office products

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating consumable office products?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for consumable office products:
---

Furniture and furnishings

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

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

Information Technology (IT) and equipment

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating Information technology (IT) and equipment?:
No

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

Food service providers

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:
---

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:
---

Professional service providers

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:
---

Transportation and fuels

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

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
---

Optional Fields 

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:
---

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.