Overall Rating Gold
Overall Score 78.11
Liaison Kristin Larson
Submission Date Oct. 23, 2023

STARS v2.2

San Diego State University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 2.50 / 3.00 Molly Weber
AASHE STARS Student Intern
Office of Energy & Sustainability
"---" 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:
The CSU Buy Recycled Campaign is a joint effort between the campuses and the administrative offices of the CSU in support of the State Agency Buy Recycled Campaign (SABRC). The CSU Buy Recycled Campaign was developed to comply with State laws requiring the procurement of recycled content products.

It is the CSU's policy to promote environmentally responsible procurement practices. Campuses are encouraged, whenever feasible, to maximize the purchase of goods that contain recycled content or may be recycled or reused when discarded.

Categories include antifreeze, paper products, printing and writing, plastic products, mulch/compost, glass products, lubricating oils, paint, tire derived products, tires, and metal.

https://www2.calstate.edu/csu-system/doing-business-with-the-csu/contract-services-and-procurement/Pages/Environmental-and-Social-Sustainability.aspx

We also participate in a sustainable auto substitution program with our office supply partner, Staples.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Z3v-t4uZFU7qNxVwB-Mf3n3oPSwBAHEN1fgKjhEivOM/edit

Part 2. Life Cycle Cost Analysis 

Does the institution employ Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) when evaluating energy- and water-using products and systems?:
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:
Life Cycle Cost Analysis is loosely applied to projects in SDSU Planning, Design, and Construction from word of mouth of personnel in this department.

https://bfa.sdsu.edu/campus/facilities/planning

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:
https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/14073723/latest/#autoid-d6yqk
"Hazardous Materials Removal Services Contracts
These services include all labor, packaging, materials, tools, vehicles, placards, labels/markings, equipment, including personal protective equipment and safety equipment, expertise, and other means necessary and required to provide services for the pickup, transportation, and disposal of hazardous wastes.

Contracts involving the handling, removal or disposal of hazardous materials shall be developed in accordance with CSU Policy, all State and Federal requirements, and with the concurrence of campus Environmental Health and Safety department administrator. For clarification, the term “Services Contracts” is confined to those contracts which meet the definition of Services Contracts contained within this policy."

"Procurement of Hazardous Materials
The California Code of Regulations, Title 8, Section 5191. Occupational Exposure to Hazardous Chemicals in Laboratories regulation requires CSU to implement a Chemical Hygiene Plan (CHP) which a Chemical Hygiene Officer (CHO) helps develop and implement. In addition, all campuses must complete a Chemical Inventory as part of the CHP for areas or activities where employees and students are engaged in the laboratory use of hazardous chemicals. The CHP, CHO, and Chemical Inventory will protect employees from the health hazards presented by laboratory use of hazardous chemicals. For that reason, all chemicals intended for laboratory use must be purchased in accordance with the campus CHP and entered into the campus Chemical Inventory. This includes research and teaching labs and also applies to purchasing cards, purchase orders, or any other method of purchase."

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:
CSU/Staples auto-substitution program mandates that customers need to purchase at least 30% recycled paper and sustainable office supplies at check-out.

https://docs.google.com/document/d/1Z3v-t4uZFU7qNxVwB-Mf3n3oPSwBAHEN1fgKjhEivOM/edit

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:
https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/11699668/latest/#autoid-zw5zb
Campuses shall align procedures with state initiatives to report environmental product declarations for select construction materials, consistent with PCC §3500-3505 and state mandates. (22-New)

https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/11699668/latest/#autoid-nw6n8
Utilization of environmentally preferable products and processes, such as long life-cycle materials and components, recycled-content and recyclable materials;

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:
https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/14073723/latest/#autoid-d538n
All CSU contracts for the procurement or laundering of apparel, garments or corresponding accessories or the procurement of equipment, materials, or supplies, other than procurement related to a public works contract, shall require the contractor to certify that it has maintained a "sweat-free" workplace in compliance with Public Contracts Code Section 6108 and that they adhere to the Sweatfree Code of Conduct as set forth by the California Department of Industrial Relations.

https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/14073723/latest/#autoid-e5wa6
This is called the Small Business / DVBE Option. Acquisitions for ITR goods and services that are estimated to be less than $250,000 may be awarded to a Certified Small Business or DVBE as long as the campus obtains price quotations from two or more Certified Small Businesses or two or more DVBE's as referenced in Government Code Section 14838.5.

https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/11699668/latest/#autoid-zw5zb
Campuses shall promote circular economies by seeking to reduce waste when considering materials purchases, including but not limited to, office supplies, equipment, classroom supplies, and promotional and giveaway items by minimizing purchase of items that have a short useful life, are unable to be recycled, and/or are made of unsustainable or carbon intensive materials. (22-New)

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:
All food locations on-campus are required to be Green Restaurant Association (GRA) certified.

https://www.dinegreen.com/

https://www.eatatsdsu.com/Nutrition-Sustainability/Sustainability#

Garments and linens 

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating garments and linens?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for garments and linens:
Under Section H "Prohibited Practices" of the CSU Contracts & Procurement Policy, there is a statement regarding garments and linens called "Prohibition of Labor Abuse" which says:
"All CSU contracts for the procurement or laundering of apparel, garments or corresponding accessories or the procurement of equipment, materials, or supplies, other than procurement related to a public works contract, shall require the contractor to certify that it has maintained a 'sweat-free' workplace in compliance with Public Contracts Code Section 6108 and that they adhere to the Sweatfree Code of Conduct as set forth by the California Department of Industrial Relations."

See CSU Sweatfree Code of conduct. https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/12393471/latest#autoid-d538n

Professional service providers

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

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional service providers:
https://www.calstate.edu/csu-system/doing-business-with-the-csu/contract-services-and-procurement/Documents/General-Provisions-Goods.docx
In all CSU General Provisions is a provision
44 for DVBE (Disabled Veteran Business Enterprise) and Small Business Participation
34 Nondiscrimination
37 Forced, Convict, Indentured and Child Labor
38 Recycled Content Certification

Executive Order 987: Policy Statement on Energy Conservation, Sustainable Building Practices, and Physical Plant Management for the California State University
https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/6589455/latest/

Transportation and fuels

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating transportation and fuels?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
CSU policy has fleet minimums for zero emissions vehicles. The policy also has a prioritization of vehicle purchases: electric vehicles, plug in hybrids, hybrids, traditional. Purchase of non-electric vehicles require justification in writing.

https://calstate.policystat.com/policy/6637418/latest/

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:
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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.