Overall Rating Silver
Overall Score 51.59
Liaison Maria Mendes
Submission Date Aug. 4, 2022

STARS v2.2

Red River College Polytechnic
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.50 / 3.00
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Part 1. Institution-wide sustainable procurement policies

Does the institution have written policies, guidelines, or directives that seek to support sustainable purchasing across multiple commodity categories institution-wide?:
Yes

A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
---

The policies, guidelines or directives:
RRC POLYTECH’S SUSTAINABILITY POLICY
https://www.rrc.ca/legal/policies/environmental-sustainability/

Purchasing
3.3
Give preference to the acquisition of products that are recycled, recyclable and made from renewable resources.
3.4
Give formal consideration to the sustainability practices of those from whom we make acquisitions and those with whom we form partnership agreements.

RRC POLYTECH'S PURCHASING POLICY
https://www.rrc.ca/legal/policies/purchasing/

1. Preamble
Red River College Polytechnic strives to ensure that goods and services are purchased in a manner that satisfies the operational and educational needs of the College while maximizing the value to the College community with respect to price, quality, service availability and operational performance. The College also ensures that as a good corporate citizen, its purchases will comply with the College’s sustainability goals.

4.5.
The evaluation of quotes and proposals shall be based on the following 100 point scoring system:
- Price may be granted 10 – 50 points;
- Sustainability may be granted 5 – 20 points; and
- The proposal or presentation may be granted 25 – 75 points.
Such criteria will be listed in the RFQ, RFP or RPAC Scope of Work and will be the factors that must be considered when selecting the successful vendor. Price shall always be a listed criterion.

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?:
---

A brief description of the LCCA policy and/or practices:
---

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

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating chemically intensive products and services?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:
RFPs and subsequent contracts for Janitorial Services and Facility Cleaning Supplies include statements regarding RRC Polytech’s institution-wide preference for EcoLogo or Green Seal certified cleaning products and paper products (paper towels, paper napkins, facial tissue, toilet paper) and a commitment to use only products that are EcoLogo or Green Seal certified or certified by a comparable third-party.

Consumable office products

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating consumable office products?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for consumable office products:
RFPs and subsequent contracts for Stationary Office Supplies include a commitment to offering sustainable products. Some of the information requested from vendors includes details on packaging take-back programs; information on sustainable products available, including criteria for which products are designated ‘sustainable’; a breakdown of the available products including the percentage that are sustainable, meet 3rd party certification and/or are reusable or refillable; and proposed training, promotional or educational materials designed to increase the College’s purchase of sustainable products and to increase staff awareness of sustainability issues related to office supplies. In addition, vendors are asked to provide a price list for the top 10 sustainable products purchased and to block staff from ordering certain products that don’t align with our stated sustainability commitments.

Toner is included for most printers in the Managed Print Services agreement which includes a commitment to collect and recycle toner cartridges.

Furniture and furnishings

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating furniture and furnishings?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for furniture and furnishings:
---

Information Technology (IT) and equipment

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating Information technology (IT) and equipment?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for Information Technology (IT) and equipment:
RFPs and subsequent contracts for Technology Procurement include statements regarding RRC Polytech’s institution-wide preference to purchase computers, printers and other electronics that are EPEAT-certified. For most desktops and laptops, EPEAT Gold Level certified products are required. Vendors are also required to report on EPEAT certified purchases.

Vendors are also asked to describe their ability to offer an end-of-life take-back program for all products offered, detailing the arrangements to re-use, recycle and/ or dispose of materials in an environmentally and socially sustainable manner.

Food service providers

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating food service providers?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food service providers:
-RFPs and subsequent contracts for Food Services contain a significant portion on sustainability. Objectives outlines include: increasing the percentage of food and beverage products that are sustainably produced, ethically produced and plant based; supporting local food systems by sourcing food within 200km radius of Winnipeg; implementing zero waste food systems through waste reduction and reusable food wares; and tracking progress through regular reporting and an annual sustainability plan. Commitments to providing Fair Trade Certified coffee, tea, and chocolate options, as well as recognizing and embracing cultural, religious and special dietary needs and preferences are also included.

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:
---

Professional service providers

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating professional service providers?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional service providers:
---

Transportation and fuels

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating transportation and fuels?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
---

Optional Fields 

Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable procurement program or initiatives is available:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
---

Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
---

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.