North Carolina State University
OP-14: Office Paper Purchasing

The Sustainability Standard Operating Procedures, which include purchasing guidelines, were adopted in June, 2014. 2.5 Purchasing NC State purchasing decisions are guided by total cost of ownership and total life cycle cost. Any purchase by NC State will improve the environmental performance of its supply chain with consideration given to toxicity, recycled content, energy and water efficiency, rapidly renewable resources, and local production and manufacturing. Purchase decisions will improve the social responsibility of the supply chain, production working conditions and the use of historically underutilized businesses. 2.5.1 Environmentally and socially responsible attributes • Include environmentally and socially responsible attributes whenever this does not infringe on the statute-driven purchasing processes defined by the State of North Carolina. • Consider all phases of a product or service to determine its environmental impacts including: raw materials acquisition, production, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, operation, maintenance, disposal, potential for reuse and ability to be recycled. • Include environmentally and socially responsible attributes in specifications, statements of work, and procurement of goods and services. 2.5.2 Expansion of environmentally and socially responsible purchasing • Seek environmentally and socially responsible purchasing for products and services by selecting those that comply with the following current and credible environmental and social standards: o Green Seal certified for cleaning supplies, paints (no VOC), windows, doors, flooring and adhesives o Forest Stewardship Council certified for office paper, toilet paper, every type/use of paper o Green Guard standards for indoor environments such as paints, furniture and bedding o Cradle to Cradle production standards o Purchasing from sources that feature adequate safeguards for endangered forests and indigenous people 2.5.3 Procurement of paper products and initiatives that minimize paper use • Purchase paper and tissue products made from 50% post-consumer recycled content. In the absence of 50% post-consumer, purchase the highest post-consumer recycled content or highest pre-consumer recycled material content. • Use photocopy practices that minimize paper use and reduce costs including: o Duplex (double-sided) printing and photocopying o Use of digital file management and imaging software o Enhance capabilities for electronic document creation and storage o Eliminating unnecessary printing o Using the maximum margins allowable by University branding guidelines to fit more content on each sheet of paper • By January 1, 2015, 50% of paper products will comply with this regulation and will increase by 25% each year until 100% of all paper and tissue products comply. 2.5.4 Energy Star® equipment and electronics • Purchase Energy Star, or better, electronic office equipment, including but not limited to computers, monitors, printers, scanners, photocopy machines, facsimile machines and other such equipment. • Purchase Energy Star or better appliances and other energy consuming equipment when available. • Budget for Energy Star or better for equipment listed for requests for proposals, specifications, and contracts for products or services. 2.5.5 EPEAT computers • Purchase new computers that meet the Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) Silver or Gold Energy Efficiency standards. 2.5.6 Adherence to the NC State Design and Construction Guidelines • Require all members of the NC State community adhere to the Design and Construction Guidelines regarding material choices. 2.5.7 The procurement of the following is discouraged to the maximum extent feasible and within limitation of existing laws and regulations: ● Asbestos-containing materials ● Mercury-containing materials ● Chlorofluorocarbons (CFCs) ● Hazardous substances requiring special handling and disposal ● Polystyrene products and packaging ● Bleached, virgin paper with 0% post-consumer recycled content

The Sustainability SOP included measures for ensuring the guidelines are followed as such: 2.5.8 The director of Materials Management structures procurement procedures to: • Include a review of compliance with this SOP as a part of regularly scheduled review of delegated procurement. Include comments regarding the extent of compliance and suggestions for improvements in reports furnished to Deans, Directors, Department Heads and Vice Chancellors (as applicable). • Review requisitions received from departments and units of the University. Suggest environmentally and socially responsible alternatives for consideration by the requestor. • Actively seek sources for environmentally and socially responsible products. Materials Management identifies and posts links to appropriate search tools that may be of use to the campus community in selecting environmentally preferable product alternatives, such as the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) database of environmentally preferable products. • Establish and actively promote the use of term contracts and University specific convenience contracts for environmentally and socially responsible goods and services commonly used by campus. Upon expiration of existing contracts, evaluate opportunities for replacement with more environmentally and socially responsible options. Post all contract bid opportunities on the NC Department of Administration’s Division of Purchase and Contract Interactive Purchasing System website. • Appoint one or more environmentally and socially responsible procurement coordinators with responsibility for researching opportunities for environmentally preferable goods and services, issuing solicitations to establish contracts, and promoting the goods and services to the campus community. Establish an outreach and education program designed to inform campus about the availability of and benefits associated with such products. • Encourage all vendors to offer environmentally and socially responsible product promotions. Actively market these opportunities to campus via the Materials Management website, e-mail and other venues likely to reach the campus community at-large. • Actively promote the reuse of surplus property available at the Surplus Property Office as an alternative to procurement of new products. • Aggressively seek multiple sources and promote competitive bidding for the environmentally and socially preferable products specified by requesting departments and units. • Develop and implement the use of standard contract provisions promoting the policies established herein.