Iowa State University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

13. SUSTAINABILITY AND SOCIAL RESPONSIBILITY 13.1 Environmentally Preferable Procurement Guidelines Recognizing our impact as a significant purchaser of goods and services, Iowa State University’s goal is to give preference to environmentally friendly products whose sustainability, functionality and quality are equal or superior to more traditional products and whose cost is equal or less. This policy will: •Conserve natural resources •Minimize pollution •Reduce the use of water and energy •Reduce or eliminate environmental health hazards on our campus and in our community •Support markets for recycled content products •Reduce materials sent to landfills •Increase the use and availability of environmentally preferable products •Encourage suppliers to reduce environmental impacts within the supply chain •Create a model for successfully purchasing environmentally preferable products while maintaining fiscal responsibility, quality, and compliance with applicable laws and regulations •Support locally produced goods and services •Educate ourselves, suppliers, and campus community 13.2 Recycled Content As stated in Iowa law and Executive Orders: •Iowa State University shall purchase and use recycled printing and writing paper for 90% of total use. In total 100% of rough tissue products shall be recycled product (i.e. hand towels, toilet paper, etc.). •Information on recycled content shall be requested on all bids for paper products and on other products which could have recycled content such as oil, plastic products, including but not limited to starch-based plastic products, compost materials, aggregate, solvents, soybean-based inks, and rubber products. 13.3 Energy Savings Recognizing that electricity generation is a major contributor to air pollution and global warming issues, and clean water is a finite resource; the University values products that minimize the use of these resources. Procurement activity shall support University efforts to reduce the use of electricity, natural gas, fuel oil and water in all state office buildings and may include: •Energy-efficient equipment and lighting. •Products for which the U.S. EPA Energy Star certification is available or equivalent non-certified products. •Support LEED silver construction goals. •EPEAT certified computer products 13.4 Toxins and Pollutants The use of toxics and the generation of pollution should be minimized to reduce risks to health, safety, and the environment. Procurement activity shall include: •The purchase of degradable disposable plastic products to the maximum extent practicable when those products are determined to be reasonably available, cost and quality competitive. •The purchase of products covered by Executive Orders to include: trash liners with recycled content; degradable foam or plastic products for containers unless recycled or reused. •Restricting the purchase of foam products manufactured with chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) and phase out of chlorofluorocarbon-containing refrigerants, solvents and similar products. •The purchase of soybean-based inks for printing services. •The purchase of environmentally preferable cleaning products, when practicable, but without reducing quality, safety, and cost effectiveness. •Identifying and using products with lowest amounts of volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, lead or mercury. •Providing for recycling of products containing toxic materials such as fluorescent lamps, ballasts, lead acid batteries, waste oil, electronics, etc. 13.5 Waste Minimization The University recognizes the importance of waste minimization in being a good steward of the environment. Iowa State University collaborates with the City of Ames to minimize waste in the community. A strong recycling program is in place at the university and any waste not recycled is disposed of at the City’s Resource Recovery Plant where recyclable materials are separated and other waste is used for creating electricity in the City’s Power Plant. 13.6 Supplier Code of Conduct The University strives to manage its business in a sustainable and responsible way. We seek to do business with Suppliers who share our concerns for and commitment to sustainable business practices. Suppliers shall meet all applicable environmental rules, regulations and laws in the countries where they do business and shall consistently look for new and better ways to conserve resources, reduce pollution and waste, and enhance the communities in which they operate.

Consider short-term and long-term costs when comparing product alternatives. Evaluate total costs expected during the time a product is owned, including, but not limited to: acquisition, extended warranties, operation, supplies, maintenance, support, disposal costs, trade-in value, and expected lifetime compared to other alternatives.

13.4 Toxins and Pollutants The use of toxics and the generation of pollution should be minimized to reduce risks to health, safety, and the environment. Procurement activity shall include: •The purchase of degradable disposable plastic products to the maximum extent practicable when those products are determined to be reasonably available, cost and quality competitive. •The purchase of products covered by Executive Orders to include: trash liners with recycled content; degradable foam or plastic products for containers unless recycled or reused. •Restricting the purchase of foam products manufactured with chlorofluorocarbons (CFC’s) and phase out of chlorofluorocarbon-containing refrigerants, solvents and similar products. •The purchase of soybean-based inks for printing services. •The purchase of environmentally preferable cleaning products, when practicable, but without reducing quality, safety, and cost effectiveness. •Identifying and using products with lowest amounts of volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, lead or mercury. •Providing for recycling of products containing toxic materials such as fluorescent lamps, ballasts, lead acid batteries, waste oil, electronics, etc. 13.6 Supplier Code of Conduct The University strives to manage its business in a sustainable and responsible way. We seek to do business with Suppliers who share our concerns for and commitment to sustainable business practices. Suppliers shall meet all applicable environmental rules, regulations and laws in the countries where they do business and shall consistently look for new and better ways to conserve resources, reduce pollution and waste, and enhance the communities in which they operate.

13.3 Energy Savings Recognizing that electricity generation is a major contributor to air pollution and global warming issues, and clean water is a finite resource; the University values products that minimize the use of these resources. Procurement activity shall support University efforts to reduce the use of electricity, natural gas, fuel oil and water in all state office buildings and may include: •Energy-efficient equipment and lighting. •Products for which the U.S. EPA Energy Star certification is available or equivalent non-certified products. •Support LEED silver construction goals. •EPEAT certified computer products 13.6 Supplier Code of Conduct The University strives to manage its business in a sustainable and responsible way. We seek to do business with Suppliers who share our concerns for and commitment to sustainable business practices. Suppliers shall meet all applicable environmental rules, regulations and laws in the countries where they do business and shall consistently look for new and better ways to conserve resources, reduce pollution and waste, and enhance the communities in which they operate.

13.3 Energy Savings Recognizing that electricity generation is a major contributor to air pollution and global warming issues, and clean water is a finite resource; the University values products that minimize the use of these resources. Procurement activity shall support University efforts to reduce the use of electricity, natural gas, fuel oil and water in all state office buildings and may include: • EPEAT certified computer products 13.4 Toxins and Pollutants The use of toxics and the generation of pollution should be minimized to reduce risks to health, safety, and the environment. Procurement activity shall include: •The purchase of soybean-based inks for printing services. •Identifying and using products with lowest amounts of volatile organic compounds, formaldehyde, lead or mercury. •Providing for recycling of products containing toxic materials such as fluorescent lamps, ballasts, lead acid batteries, waste oil, electronics, etc. 13.6 Supplier Code of Conduct The University strives to manage its business in a sustainable and responsible way. We seek to do business with Suppliers who share our concerns for and commitment to sustainable business practices. Suppliers shall meet all applicable environmental rules, regulations and laws in the countries where they do business and shall consistently look for new and better ways to conserve resources, reduce pollution and waste, and enhance the communities in which they operate. https://www.procurement.iastate.edu/additional-resources/green/products

Departmental Procurement Procedures specifically addresses Iowa State's preference for: - Certified Iowa Targeted Small Businesses (TSB’s) - Federal Small Disadvantaged Businesses (SDB’s - Women-Owned Small Business (WOSB’s) - Veteran-Owned Small Business (VOSB’s) - Service Disabled Veteran-Owned Business (SDVOSB’s) - Federal Disadvantaged Businesses to include Minority-Owned Business Enterprises (MBE’s) - Women-Owned Business Enterprises (WBE’s) All design professionals working on the ISU campus must adhere to the ISU Facilities Design Manual (http://www.fpm.iastate.edu/planning/projects/apguestlogin_to_FDM.asp) All new construction and major renovations are required to achieve LEED Silver as a minimum per Board of Regents Sustainability Guidelines and at Iowa State, and LEED Gold is preferred. The LEED scorecard with expected credits is included in the design manual as reference. On all other projects, LEED-NC standards are followed although those projects do not qualify under LEED-NC.

Iowa State University's purchasing criteria for vehicle fuel efficiency is dictated by Iowa Code § 8A.362, which states: "The director, and any other state agency, which for purposes of this subsection includes but is not limited to community colleges and institutions under the control of the state board of regents, or local governmental subdivisions purchasing new motor vehicles, shall purchase new passenger vehicles and light trucks so that the average fuel efficiency for the fleet of new passenger vehicles and light trucks purchased in that year equals or exceeds the average fuel economy standard for the vehicles' model year as established by the United States secretary of transportation under 15 U.S.C. § 2002." https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/8A.362.pdf Iowa State must also prioritize the purchase of mercury-free vehicles per Iowa Code § 455B.809 https://www.legis.iowa.gov/docs/code/2014/455B.809.pdf

The University recognizes that recycled content products are important to an environmentally responsible production system. Procurement activity may include: - Products addressed in Iowa laws and Executive Orders - Iowa State University shall purchase and use recycled printing and writing paper for 90% of total use. 100% of their tissue products shall be recycled product. - Requiring information on recycled content shall be requested on all bids for paper products and on other products which could have recycled content such as oil, plastic products, including not limited to starch-based plastic products, compost materials, aggregate, solvents, soybean-based inks, and rubber products. - Identifying and purchasing other recycled content products and packaging whenever practicable, but without reducing quality or effectiveness. The use of environmentally preferable paper and wood products to conserve forests, water, and energy, prevents pollution and helps to protect biodiversity. Procurement activity may include: - Giving preference to wood products that are certified to be sustainably harvested by a comprehensive, performance-based certification system similar to that of the Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certification and Sustainable Forestry Initiative (FSI), whenever practical, but without reducing quality, safety, and cost-effectiveness. - Purchasing locally harvested/extracted and processed wood, whenever practical, but without reducing quality, safety, and cost-effectiveness. https://www.procurement.iastate.edu/additional-resources/green/guidelines

Equipment and Lighting 13.3 Energy Savings Recognizing that electricity generation is a major contributor to air pollution and global warming issues, and clean water is a finite resource; the University values products that minimize the use of these resources. Procurement activity shall support University efforts to reduce the use of electricity, natural gas, fuel oil and water in all state office buildings and may include: •Energy-efficient equipment and lighting. •Products for which the U.S. EPA Energy Star certification is available or equivalent non-certified products. https://www.procurement.iastate.edu/additional-resources/green