Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 69.69
Liaison Deborah Steinberg
Submission Date Feb. 7, 2019
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Carnegie Mellon University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.75 / 3.00 Jarrod McAdoo
Director, University Procurement
Procurement 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:
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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?:
Institution employs LCCA as a matter of policy and standard practice when evaluating all energy- and water-using products, systems and building components

A brief description of the LCCA policy and/or practices:
Although there is no stated policy on LCCA, total cost of ownership is strongly encouraged regardless of category.

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:
Our most recent custodial contract included language to use green cleaning products and the contract for our pest control services includes language to use Integrated Pest Management practices. This has greatly reduced the amount of chemicals used on campus. All hazardous materials must follow the EH&S Purchasing Hazardous Materials Procedure. https://www.cmu.edu/ehs/hazmat-pcard/index.html https://www.cmu.edu/ehs/hazmat-pcard/documents/Purchasing%20Guideline%20v.4.pdf

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:
The Simonds Principles include criteria for sustainable design, construction and management of all built and open spaces. https://www.cmu.edu/cdfd/simonds-principles/index.html The Campus Design and Facilities Development Design Guidelines include language that follow LEED Silver criteria for building projects. These criteria include both prerequisites and credits for sustainable use of materials and resources, and further criteria for sustainable materials selection as those materials impact Indoor Environmental Quality. https://www.cmu.edu/cdfd/design-construction/index.html

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)?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for IT products and services:
Although there is no stated policy in this area, the university purchases Energy Star equipment for our computers, printers and desk phones and the energy usage and or the usage of hazardous materials is routinely evaluated when evaluating options.

Food Services 

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food services (i.e. franchises, vending services, concessions, convenience stores)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food services:
Sustainability is a important aspect of the contract the University maintains with food services suppliers. In 2018, CMU re-bid its primary campus food vendor contract and sustainability was a key criteria in the RFP and important aspect of vendor selection. Our Mission Carnegie Mellon University Dining Services provides a unique and diverse food service program that meets the nutritional, educational, multi-cultural and social needs of students and the university community and contributes to the meta-curricular experience. Our Values Our core values are reflected in our daily interactions, decision-making opportunities and support the greater mission of the division and university. More about our sustainability criteria can be found here. https://www.cmu.edu/dining/about-us/index.html

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)?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional services:
Per the Carnegie Mellon Design and Construction Standards, all new construction and major renovations must achieve a minimum LEED silver rating within the most current version of LEED BD+C. In addition, less extensive renovations must apply LEED for Commercial Interiors as applicable to the scope of work. This attracts and emphasizes LEED knowledge and experience in campus projects. https://www.cmu.edu/fms/files/Design_Guidelines/design.html

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)?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
While there is no formal guidance that addresses these areas, the University has installed infrastructure and negotiated public transit agreements to support non-fossil fuel based transportation, and public and shared transportation. CMU was awarded Bronze status as a Bike Friendly University in 2018 with a substantial increase in bike lanes, bike parking and storage facilities and bicycle service stations. The University owns 5 Zipcars and has 1,855 Zipcar program members (2017-18). Through a Port Authority Transit agreement, students, faculty and staff can ride public transit free with a CMU ID. The campus supports the use of electric vehicles by providing charge stations in preferred parking locations on campus. CMU also works with their assigned travel agencies to track the carbon footprint associated with its travel habits. In addition, as stated in OP-1, the campus district steam facility uses natural gas rather than coal to lower emissions and offsets emissions from its electricity purchases 200%: with 100% RECS offset and 100% offset of wind farm kWh in our PJM grid territory.

Wood and Paper 

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating wood and paper products?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for wood and paper products:
Although there is no stated policy, the recycled content of paper is a key factor in the sourcing of paper supplies and is consistently being challenged in areas where the quality standards do not preclude the use of recycled content. University Receiving & Stores, purchases 30% recycled content paper to sell to the campus community.

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:
Regarding office supplies, the University maintains a green listing within the catalog for those items that offer a more environmental friendly option. Annually, the Office Supply Supplier and several of the OEM for the green products host a green product workshop for users on campus to drive adoption and introduce new products.

Optional Fields 

The website URL where information about the programs or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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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.