| Overall Rating | Gold |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 81.96 |
| Liaison | Lindsey Lyons |
| Submission Date | March 1, 2024 |
Dickinson College
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
2.50 / 3.00 |
Neil
Leary Director Center for Sustainability Education |
"---"
indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Part 1. Institution-wide sustainable procurement policies
Yes
A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
The policies, guidelines or directives:
Dickinson's Procurement Policy Manual and Procurement of Goods and Services Policy are available online:
https://www.dickinson.edu/download/downloads/id/11695/procurement_policy_manual.pdf
http://www.dickinson.edu/download/downloads/id/1015/policy_viii-d-1
The Procurement Policy Manual includes a section on Sustainable Purchasing that stipulates the following considerations for purchases of goods and services:
• Repurposing existing College assets identified as part of the Surplus Property Policy.
• Purchasing items under the Federal Surplus Property Program.
• Consolidating orders or purchasing in volume to prevent multiple shipments.
• Buying from local vendors.
• Purchasing the most energy-efficient models.
• Buying items that contain shipping materials that are either returnable, reusable or made from recycled content.
• Considering the environmental performance of the vendor (waste prevention, waste reduction, pollution prevention, clean air/water programs and other initiatives).
The Procurement of Goods and Services Policy includes the following statement: "When possible, Dickinson College considers the environmental impact in purchasing decisions. The use of products and services with less environmental impact will be considered favorably when it is a best-value decision to do so. Factors included in the decision are energy efficiency, shipping materials (returnable, reusable or made from recycled content), and environmental performance of the supplier/producer (waste prevention, waste reduction, pollution prevention, clean air/water programs and other initiatives)."
https://www.dickinson.edu/download/downloads/id/11695/procurement_policy_manual.pdf
http://www.dickinson.edu/download/downloads/id/1015/policy_viii-d-1
The Procurement Policy Manual includes a section on Sustainable Purchasing that stipulates the following considerations for purchases of goods and services:
• Repurposing existing College assets identified as part of the Surplus Property Policy.
• Purchasing items under the Federal Surplus Property Program.
• Consolidating orders or purchasing in volume to prevent multiple shipments.
• Buying from local vendors.
• Purchasing the most energy-efficient models.
• Buying items that contain shipping materials that are either returnable, reusable or made from recycled content.
• Considering the environmental performance of the vendor (waste prevention, waste reduction, pollution prevention, clean air/water programs and other initiatives).
The Procurement of Goods and Services Policy includes the following statement: "When possible, Dickinson College considers the environmental impact in purchasing decisions. The use of products and services with less environmental impact will be considered favorably when it is a best-value decision to do so. Factors included in the decision are energy efficiency, shipping materials (returnable, reusable or made from recycled content), and environmental performance of the supplier/producer (waste prevention, waste reduction, pollution prevention, clean air/water programs and other initiatives)."
Part 2. Life Cycle Cost Analysis
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:
Dickinson's Campus Master Plan states the following guideline on Building Stewardship and Sustainability Guidelines, on page 49: "Evaluate materials and systems based on life cycle costs rather than on capital costs alone."
http://www.dickinson.edu/info/20074/campus_operations/1695/planning_studies.
http://www.dickinson.edu/info/20074/campus_operations/1695/planning_studies.
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
Yes
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:
Dickinson’s green cleaning goals and strategies:
• Use cleaning products that meet Green Seal standard GS-37 or products with low-volatile organic compounds (VOC) whenever applicable.
• Eliminate phosphates and aerosol products.
• Use equipment with good filtration.
• Use concentrated cleaning products when available.
• Use chemicals that are automatically and accurately diluted using cold water.
• Educate, train, and motive housekeeping staff to work in an environmentally responsible manner.
• Ensure that all housekeeping staff is aware of their responsibilities in implementing this environmental policy.
• Conserve energy, water, and other resources while still providing a clean and sanitary environment.
• Complying with all relevant current legislation and industry standards.
Green cleaning policy: http://www.dickinson.edu/download/downloads/id/973/greencleaningpolicy_pdf.
https://www.dickinson.edu/download/downloads/id/12313/green_cleaning_policy_2020.pdf
• Use cleaning products that meet Green Seal standard GS-37 or products with low-volatile organic compounds (VOC) whenever applicable.
• Eliminate phosphates and aerosol products.
• Use equipment with good filtration.
• Use concentrated cleaning products when available.
• Use chemicals that are automatically and accurately diluted using cold water.
• Educate, train, and motive housekeeping staff to work in an environmentally responsible manner.
• Ensure that all housekeeping staff is aware of their responsibilities in implementing this environmental policy.
• Conserve energy, water, and other resources while still providing a clean and sanitary environment.
• Complying with all relevant current legislation and industry standards.
Green cleaning policy: http://www.dickinson.edu/download/downloads/id/973/greencleaningpolicy_pdf.
https://www.dickinson.edu/download/downloads/id/12313/green_cleaning_policy_2020.pdf
Consumable office products
Yes
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for consumable office products:
Dickinson's paper purchasing policy is posted online: http://www.dickinson.edu/download/downloads/id/8621/sustainable_paper_policy.pdf.
It states:
The Dickinson Print Center is an FSC operation that is committed to sustainable purchasing policies related to paper. Every attempt is made to purchase paper with a recycle content of at least 30%. Over half of all paper purchased (51%) is FSC Mixed Credit and 11% is FSC Recycled Content (62% of all paper is FSC-certified). Non-FSC items are those that do not have a recycled alternate available such as mailing labels, billing and tax forms, and waterproof papers. Paper policies related to sustainability is as follows:
I-Gen Paper: Purchase paper with FSC Mixed Credit or FSC Recycled based on customer specifications.
White Copy Paper: Purchase paper that is FSC Certified, Rainforest Alliance Certified or World Wildlife Foundation Panda Certified, and with a minimum of 30% recycled content.
Color Copy Paper: Purchase paper with 30-100% recycled content.
Outsourcing: When outsourcing projects, Design Services requires that contractors use sustainable printing practices and are FSC-certified. The college also requires the use of FSC certified paper stock with preference given to those with recycled content, depending on the job.
Local Suppliers: Whenever possible, Dickinson prefers the local manufacturing and distribution of supplies and materials. The college purchases paper from within a 50-mile radius of the college.
It states:
The Dickinson Print Center is an FSC operation that is committed to sustainable purchasing policies related to paper. Every attempt is made to purchase paper with a recycle content of at least 30%. Over half of all paper purchased (51%) is FSC Mixed Credit and 11% is FSC Recycled Content (62% of all paper is FSC-certified). Non-FSC items are those that do not have a recycled alternate available such as mailing labels, billing and tax forms, and waterproof papers. Paper policies related to sustainability is as follows:
I-Gen Paper: Purchase paper with FSC Mixed Credit or FSC Recycled based on customer specifications.
White Copy Paper: Purchase paper that is FSC Certified, Rainforest Alliance Certified or World Wildlife Foundation Panda Certified, and with a minimum of 30% recycled content.
Color Copy Paper: Purchase paper with 30-100% recycled content.
Outsourcing: When outsourcing projects, Design Services requires that contractors use sustainable printing practices and are FSC-certified. The college also requires the use of FSC certified paper stock with preference given to those with recycled content, depending on the job.
Local Suppliers: Whenever possible, Dickinson prefers the local manufacturing and distribution of supplies and materials. The college purchases paper from within a 50-mile radius of the college.
Furniture and furnishings
No
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for furniture and furnishings:
Dickinson does not have a written policy specifically for furniture and furnishings, but these purchases are guided by the general procurement policy, and Dickinson follows these practices when purchasing furniture and furnishings:
1. Purchase products made from renewable materials such as wood from sustainable forests, recycled products etc.
2. Use companies that have environmentally sound manufacturing facilities and practices.
3. Ensure the location of the manufacturer, which impacts travel distance for installation. We use Northeast & Midwest United States furniture manufacturers when possible.
4. We purchase furniture that has a long warranty and is manufactured from quality resources.
5. We look to reupholstery instead of discarding. The Transformations product we purchase is designed to be easily reupholstered. We stock spare fabric replacements for this furniture so we can swap out just an arm or a back instead of reupholstering the entire piece.
6. We purchase flooring from companies that manufacture in environmentally sound plants, are leaders in recycling and are committed to becoming carbon neutral. The companies we work well with are those involved in education and community programs that inform and educate.
When purchasing services or guiding others:
1. The upholsterer we use also refinishes wood furniture using environmentally sound practices/products.
2. In the last several years we have started recycling the old carpet tile on projects receiving new Interface carpet.
3. We discourage departments or individuals from purchasing their own furniture from unknown sources with unknown environmental records.
4. We don’t consider anything disposable and have started holding manufacturer’s more accountable to their warranties. Repair not replace.
1. Purchase products made from renewable materials such as wood from sustainable forests, recycled products etc.
2. Use companies that have environmentally sound manufacturing facilities and practices.
3. Ensure the location of the manufacturer, which impacts travel distance for installation. We use Northeast & Midwest United States furniture manufacturers when possible.
4. We purchase furniture that has a long warranty and is manufactured from quality resources.
5. We look to reupholstery instead of discarding. The Transformations product we purchase is designed to be easily reupholstered. We stock spare fabric replacements for this furniture so we can swap out just an arm or a back instead of reupholstering the entire piece.
6. We purchase flooring from companies that manufacture in environmentally sound plants, are leaders in recycling and are committed to becoming carbon neutral. The companies we work well with are those involved in education and community programs that inform and educate.
When purchasing services or guiding others:
1. The upholsterer we use also refinishes wood furniture using environmentally sound practices/products.
2. In the last several years we have started recycling the old carpet tile on projects receiving new Interface carpet.
3. We discourage departments or individuals from purchasing their own furniture from unknown sources with unknown environmental records.
4. We don’t consider anything disposable and have started holding manufacturer’s more accountable to their warranties. Repair not replace.
Information Technology (IT) and equipment
Yes
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for Information Technology (IT) and equipment:
From Dickinson's computer acquisition policy, section 5: "Dickinson has an institution-wide preference to purchase EPA Energy Star computers and monitors and Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) Certified Computers and Monitors. The College has currently standardized to all EPEAT Gold and Energy Star-compliant equipment for all Windows- and Mac-based desktop and mobile computers. Additionally, the College is working to achieve this for monitors as well."
https://www.dickinson.edu/download/downloads/id/9839/computer_hardware_acquisition_disposition_replacement_and_disposal_policy.pdf
https://www.dickinson.edu/download/downloads/id/9839/computer_hardware_acquisition_disposition_replacement_and_disposal_policy.pdf
Food service providers
Yes
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food service providers:
Dickinson Dining Services has a vendor preference statement that applies to dining services, concessions and vending services that states that DDS "shares the values of sustainable practices held by Dickinson College and the members of the Dickinson Community. We prefer working with vendors who have well-developed sustainability statements, policies, and practices – a simple paragraph does not reflect a serious belief in our values." Specific criteria included in the vendor preference statement cover employee welfare, animal welfare, energy and water use, local and community-based producers and products, composting-recycling-landfill diversion, and wholesome foods. The full statement can be found online:
https://www.dickinson.edu/info/20241/dining_services/3769/sustainability/4
https://www.dickinson.edu/info/20241/dining_services/3769/sustainability/4
Garments and linens
No
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for garments and linens:
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Professional service providers
Yes
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional service providers:
Procurement of professional services are covered by Dickinson’s Procurement Policy Manual, which includes the following criterion, which is applicable to professional services: Consideration of the environmental performance of the vendor (waste prevention, waste reduction, pollution prevention, clean air/water programs and other initiatives).
Transportation and fuels
Yes
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
Dickinson’s Sustainable Transportation Fuel Choice policy states: "In an effort to reduce carbon emissions in association with the college’s carbon neutrality commitment, the college places a strong preference for fuels that have environmental benefits, while also giving consideration to financial costs."
Accordingly, the following policy regarding transportation fuels is to be followed whenever possible by all departments utilizing college owned vehicles. The college’s tanks at Facilities Management will follow this policy.
• Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Vehicles using Gasoline: Fuel purchased shall be E85, which has an emissions factor that is 24% below that of standard gasoline. (These figures include biogenic CO2 emissions).
• ICE Vehicles using Diesel: Fuel purchased shall be at least 20% biodiesel, which has an emissions factor that is 1% lower than standard diesel fuel. (These figures include biogenic CO2 emissions).
Additionally, Dickinson’s Travel Policy includes a section on Sustainable Travel:
As an institution focused on sustainability, Dickinson recognizes the impact travel has on our environment and endeavors to promote sustainable travel when feasible and in line with our strategic goals. Examples of sustainable travel options include the following:
• Use of mass transit options or ride sharing as opposed to single-occupancy car travel.
• Use of the college’s hybrid vehicles in place of a personal vehicle.
• Video conferencing in place of travel to conferences and meetings.
• Combining trips when possible and flying direct when feasible and cost effective.
Accordingly, the following policy regarding transportation fuels is to be followed whenever possible by all departments utilizing college owned vehicles. The college’s tanks at Facilities Management will follow this policy.
• Internal Combustion Engine (ICE) Vehicles using Gasoline: Fuel purchased shall be E85, which has an emissions factor that is 24% below that of standard gasoline. (These figures include biogenic CO2 emissions).
• ICE Vehicles using Diesel: Fuel purchased shall be at least 20% biodiesel, which has an emissions factor that is 1% lower than standard diesel fuel. (These figures include biogenic CO2 emissions).
Additionally, Dickinson’s Travel Policy includes a section on Sustainable Travel:
As an institution focused on sustainability, Dickinson recognizes the impact travel has on our environment and endeavors to promote sustainable travel when feasible and in line with our strategic goals. Examples of sustainable travel options include the following:
• Use of mass transit options or ride sharing as opposed to single-occupancy car travel.
• Use of the college’s hybrid vehicles in place of a personal vehicle.
• Video conferencing in place of travel to conferences and meetings.
• Combining trips when possible and flying direct when feasible and cost effective.
Optional Fields
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Data sources are listed above within each section.
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.