Green Purchasing and Sustainability

Purpose:

To establish a policy for the procurement of environmentally preferred products and services.

Applicability:

All University departments and organizations.

Background:

Longwood University is committed to minimizing the University's impact on the environment and to reducing the University's dependence on non-renewable energy. These "Green Purchasing" policies and procedures support the University's commitment to sustainability.

The goal of this policy is to reduce the adverse environmental impact of our purchasing decisions by buying goods and services from manufacturers and vendors who share our commitment to the environment. Green Purchasing is the method whereby environmental and social considerations are given equal weight to the price, availability and performance criteria that colleges and universities use to make purchasing decisions. Green Purchasing is also known as "Environmentally Preferred Purchasing (EPP), green procurement, affirmative procurement, eco-procurement, and environmentally responsible purchasing," particularly with US federal government agencies. Green Purchasing minimizes negative environmental and social effects through the use of environmentally friendly products.

The aim of this environmental purchasing strategy is to develop policies consistent with these principles:
minimize the consumption of non-replaceable natural resources by reviewing current and proposed future usage and evaluating the pros and cons of alternatives;
seek alternatives to products and processes that are detrimental to the environment by using more "environmentally friendly" products and processes;
minimize waste, including any packaging waste, produced by the product (or service) in question and waste generated by the eventual disposal of the product;
maximize the reuse and recycling of materials and;
stimulate demand for "environmentally friendly" products by letting manufacturers and suppliers know the environmental performance we expect in products.

Energy

All desktop computers, notebooks, and monitors purchased must meet, at a minimum, all Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) environmental criteria designated as "required" (bronze registration) or higher as contained in the IEEE 1680 Standard for the Environmental Assessment of Personal Computer Products.

Additional consideration will be provided for electronic products that have achieved EPEAT silver or EPEAT gold registration. The registration criteria and a list of all registered equipment are provided at http://www.epeat.net.

Copiers leased and printers purchased shall be compatible with the use of recycled content and remanufactured products.

All electrical products purchased by Longwood University shall meet the EPA Energy Star certification when available and practicable. When products with Energy Star labels are not available, products that are in the upper 25 percent of energy efficiency as designated by the Federal Energy Management Program shall be used.

When acquiring vehicles, the University shall purchase/lease less polluting alternatives to diesel, such as compressed natural gas, bio-based fuels, hybrids, electric batteries, and fuel cells, as available and suitable for the use intended.

When acquiring or replacing inefficient interior or exterior lighting, energy-efficient equipment shall be purchased.

Water

Purchase only the most water-efficient appliances available. This includes, but is not limited to, high-performance fixtures like toilets, low-flow faucets and aerators, and upgraded irrigation systems.

Toxins and Pollutants

Cleaning solvents should be biodegradable, phosphate-free and citrus-based when their use will not compromise the quality of service.

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.

All surfactants and detergents used shall be readily biodegradable and shall not contain phosphates.

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 vendors with established lead and mercury recovery programs.

Pest control shall be managed through prevention - physical and mechanical - and through the purchase of environmentally friendly products. As a last resort, the use of the least toxic pest control substance is required.

Bio-based Products

Bio-based plastic products that are biodegradable and compostable, such as bags, film, food and beverage containers and cutlery, shall be acquired by the University and/or used by our contracted vendors.

Vehicle fuels made from non-wood, plant-based contents such as vegetable oils are encouraged.

Paper, paper products and construction products made from non-wood, plant-based contents such as agricultural crops and residues are encouraged.

Recycling

Thirty percent (30%) post consumer waste recycled paper for all applications shall be the standard when the quality of service is not compromised nor the health and safety of employees prejudiced.

The use of reclaimed stone and brick and the use of secondary or recycled aggregates should be specified.

Transportation products, including signs, cones, parking stops, delineators, channelizers, and barricades shall contain the highest post consumer content practicable.

Products that are durable, long lasting, reusable or refillable are preferred whenever feasible.

Packaging

Packaging that is reusable, recyclable or compostable is preferred, when suitable uses and programs exist, as is eliminating packaging or using the minimum amount necessary for product protection to the greatest extent practicable.

Green Building

All carpet distributors and/or manufacturers of carpet installed at the University should have a carpet recycling plan.

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.

Landscaping

All landscape renovations, construction, and maintenance performed by internal staff members or contractors providing landscaping services shall employ sustainable landscape management techniques for design, construction, and maintenance whenever possible. This includes, but is not limited to, integrated pest management, drip irrigation, composting and use of mulch and compost that give preference to those produced from regionally generated plant debris and/or food waste programs.

Landscape structures constructed of recycled content materials are encouraged. The number of impervious surfaces in the landscape shall be limited, whenever practicable. Permeable substitutes, such as permeable asphalt or pavers, are encouraged for walkways, patios, and driveways.

Plants should be selected to minimize waste by choosing species that are appropriate to the microclimate. Native and drought-tolerant plants that require no or minimal watering once established should be purchased.

Exceptions

These policies are designed to do the most good for the resources expended. When the cost of following the policies does not appear to be fair and reasonable the department shall document the procurement file to that effect, including stating the basis for the determination.