| Overall Rating | Platinum |
|---|---|
| Overall Score | 85.50 |
| Liaison | Breeana Sylvas |
| Submission Date | Feb. 28, 2022 |
University of California, Merced
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement
| Status | Score | Responsible Party |
|---|---|---|
|
3.00 / 3.00 |
"---"
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:
In addition to the Business Contracting Policy, the University of California System Sustainable Practices policy provides guidelines and criteria that support sustainable purchasing.
Please visit: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/3100155/Sustainable%20Practices
Please visit: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/3100155/Sustainable%20Practices
Part 2. Life Cycle Cost Analysis
Yes
Which of the following best describes the institution’s use of LCCA?:
Institution employs LCCA as a matter of policy and standard practice when evaluating all energy- and water-using products, systems and building components
A brief description of the LCCA policy and/or practices:
Life Cycle Cost Analysis is conducted at multiple times during the design phase on all building/construction developments for the campus.
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:
There are chemical control measures for grounds keepers highlighted in the campus Integrated Pest Management (IPM) procedure document. Additionally, the campus also follows a UCM Green Cleaning Policy.
Also located in the UC Sustainable Practices Policy: The University will work to remove harmful chemicals from products brought onto campus by increasing the purchase of products and materials that disclose known hazards (e.g., in compliance with the requirements of LEED BD+C v4 “Building product disclosure and optimization - material ingredients” - or updated equivalent) and choosing products with reduced concentrations of chemical contaminants that can damage air quality, human health, productivity, and the environment. (https://leeduser.buildinggreen.com/credit/NC-v4/MRc4#tab-credit-language)
Also located in the UC Sustainable Practices Policy: The University will work to remove harmful chemicals from products brought onto campus by increasing the purchase of products and materials that disclose known hazards (e.g., in compliance with the requirements of LEED BD+C v4 “Building product disclosure and optimization - material ingredients” - or updated equivalent) and choosing products with reduced concentrations of chemical contaminants that can damage air quality, human health, productivity, and the environment. (https://leeduser.buildinggreen.com/credit/NC-v4/MRc4#tab-credit-language)
Consumable office products
Yes
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for consumable office products:
Yes, provided in the UC Sustainable Procurement Guidelines (pgs. 25-26)
https://www.ucop.edu/procurement-services/for-ucstaff/sustainable-procurement/sustainableprocurementguidelines.pdf
Office Supplies
Green Spend Criteria
Office/Copy Paper
Recognized Certifications and Standards
• FSC Recycled
• Post-consumer recycled content (PCRC)
• Processed Chlorine Free (PCF)
• Green Seal® (GS-07)
• Agricultural residue content
Required Level (minimum mandatory requirements)
A minimum of 30% PCRC or agricultural residue content (or GS-07 certified)
Non-Paper Office Supplies
Recognized Certifications and Standards
• Post-consumer recycled content (PCRC)
• Total recycled content
• Non-antimicrobial
• EPA Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPG)
• Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) Model EPP Specifications and Purchasing Guidelines for Office Supplies
Required Level (minimum mandatory requirements)
Meets the minimum CPG recycled content levels for Non-Paper Office
Products, and a minimum 30% recycled content for all writing utensils (dry-erase markers, highlighters, markers, pens, and pencils) or other plastic-based accessories.
Toner
Recognized Certifications and Standards
• Remanufactured
• High yield
Required Level (minimum mandatory requirements)
Is remanufactured or high yield
Scope
Office/Copy paper refers to standard office printing and copy paper.
Paper Office Supplies includes writing paper (pads), packing paper, folders, letter folders, expandable filing folders, hanging folders or accessories, binders and indexes, hanging folders, dividers, file pockets, standard envelopes, packaging cartons, mailers, easel pads, sticky notes, storage boxes and desk pad calendars.
Non-paper Office Supplies includes binders, clipboards, file folders, clip portfolios, presentation folders, plastic desktop accessories (desk organizers, desk sorters, desk and letter trays, and memo, note and pencil holders), plastic envelopes, and writing utensils (dry-erase markers, highlighters, markers, pens, and pencils).
Toner - Additional recommendations can be found from the State of New York’s Approved Specifications for Monochrome Toner Cartridges.
More information can also be found in the "Sustainable Procurement" section of the UC Sustainable Practices Policy: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/3100155/SustainablePractices
https://www.ucop.edu/procurement-services/for-ucstaff/sustainable-procurement/sustainableprocurementguidelines.pdf
Office Supplies
Green Spend Criteria
Office/Copy Paper
Recognized Certifications and Standards
• FSC Recycled
• Post-consumer recycled content (PCRC)
• Processed Chlorine Free (PCF)
• Green Seal® (GS-07)
• Agricultural residue content
Required Level (minimum mandatory requirements)
A minimum of 30% PCRC or agricultural residue content (or GS-07 certified)
Non-Paper Office Supplies
Recognized Certifications and Standards
• Post-consumer recycled content (PCRC)
• Total recycled content
• Non-antimicrobial
• EPA Comprehensive Procurement Guidelines (CPG)
• Northeast Recycling Council (NERC) Model EPP Specifications and Purchasing Guidelines for Office Supplies
Required Level (minimum mandatory requirements)
Meets the minimum CPG recycled content levels for Non-Paper Office
Products, and a minimum 30% recycled content for all writing utensils (dry-erase markers, highlighters, markers, pens, and pencils) or other plastic-based accessories.
Toner
Recognized Certifications and Standards
• Remanufactured
• High yield
Required Level (minimum mandatory requirements)
Is remanufactured or high yield
Scope
Office/Copy paper refers to standard office printing and copy paper.
Paper Office Supplies includes writing paper (pads), packing paper, folders, letter folders, expandable filing folders, hanging folders or accessories, binders and indexes, hanging folders, dividers, file pockets, standard envelopes, packaging cartons, mailers, easel pads, sticky notes, storage boxes and desk pad calendars.
Non-paper Office Supplies includes binders, clipboards, file folders, clip portfolios, presentation folders, plastic desktop accessories (desk organizers, desk sorters, desk and letter trays, and memo, note and pencil holders), plastic envelopes, and writing utensils (dry-erase markers, highlighters, markers, pens, and pencils).
Toner - Additional recommendations can be found from the State of New York’s Approved Specifications for Monochrome Toner Cartridges.
More information can also be found in the "Sustainable Procurement" section of the UC Sustainable Practices Policy: https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/3100155/SustainablePractices
Furniture and furnishings
Yes
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for furniture and furnishings:
Yes, the campus has design standards for all new construction projects that require new buildings to be at minimum LEED Gold certified and follows stringent UC system requirements for energy efficiency located in the UC System Whole-Building Energy Performance Targets. Please visit https://sustainability.ucmerced.edu/initiatives/leed
Indoor Furniture
Green Spend Criteria
Recognized Certifications and Standards
• GREENGUARD® Gold
• SCS Indoor Advantage Gold
• Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Products Program
• BIFMA Level®
• FSC (for products containing wood)
• Textile certifications:
o GOTS
o STANDARD 100 by OekoTex®
o STeP by Oeko-Tex®
o Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Products Program
• Health Product Declaration (HPD)
• Declare Label
Required Level (minimum mandatory requirements) Must be free of the 5 chemical classes of concern described in the Specifications section (pgs. 22-23) of the UC Sustainable Procurement Guidelines. Acceptable documentation of compliance includes at least one of the following:
• Third-party certified as meeting credit 7.4.4, Targeted Chemical Elimination, of ANSI/BIFMA Level® e-3 Furniture Sustainability Standard (2019 version)
• Certified to the GreenScreen standard for Furniture and Fabrics Version 1 or higher at the Bronze level, and listed on the GreenScreen Furniture and Fabric Certification list of certified products
• Received the Green Health Approved Seal for Furniture, and is listed on the Green Health Approved list for Healthier Furniture
Scope
Indoor Furniture includes individual (e.g., task chair) and group seating; open-plan and private-office workstations; desks of all types, tables of all types; storage units, credenzas, bookshelves, filing cabinets and other case goods; integrated visual display products (e.g., markerboards and tackboards, excluding electronic display products); hospitality furniture; and miscellaneous items such as mobile carts, freestanding screens, and movable partitions. Movable partitions include office furniture system cubicle panels that are typically integrated with work surfaces, desks, and storage furniture. Furniture does not include office accessories, such as desktop blotters, trays, tape dispensers, waste baskets, all electrical items such as lighting and small appliances, and accessories such as aftermarket keyboard trays, monitor stands and monitor arms.
Indoor Furniture
Green Spend Criteria
Recognized Certifications and Standards
• GREENGUARD® Gold
• SCS Indoor Advantage Gold
• Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Products Program
• BIFMA Level®
• FSC (for products containing wood)
• Textile certifications:
o GOTS
o STANDARD 100 by OekoTex®
o STeP by Oeko-Tex®
o Cradle to Cradle Certified™ Products Program
• Health Product Declaration (HPD)
• Declare Label
Required Level (minimum mandatory requirements) Must be free of the 5 chemical classes of concern described in the Specifications section (pgs. 22-23) of the UC Sustainable Procurement Guidelines. Acceptable documentation of compliance includes at least one of the following:
• Third-party certified as meeting credit 7.4.4, Targeted Chemical Elimination, of ANSI/BIFMA Level® e-3 Furniture Sustainability Standard (2019 version)
• Certified to the GreenScreen standard for Furniture and Fabrics Version 1 or higher at the Bronze level, and listed on the GreenScreen Furniture and Fabric Certification list of certified products
• Received the Green Health Approved Seal for Furniture, and is listed on the Green Health Approved list for Healthier Furniture
Scope
Indoor Furniture includes individual (e.g., task chair) and group seating; open-plan and private-office workstations; desks of all types, tables of all types; storage units, credenzas, bookshelves, filing cabinets and other case goods; integrated visual display products (e.g., markerboards and tackboards, excluding electronic display products); hospitality furniture; and miscellaneous items such as mobile carts, freestanding screens, and movable partitions. Movable partitions include office furniture system cubicle panels that are typically integrated with work surfaces, desks, and storage furniture. Furniture does not include office accessories, such as desktop blotters, trays, tape dispensers, waste baskets, all electrical items such as lighting and small appliances, and accessories such as aftermarket keyboard trays, monitor stands and monitor arms.
Information Technology (IT) and equipment
Yes
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for Information Technology (IT) and equipment:
Yes the University Strategic Sourcing contracts for computer products require manufacturers/suppliers to provide sustainable products and services that are in accordance with and/or exceed the university policy requirements.
UC Sustainable Practices Policy: All desktop computers, laptops, and computer monitors purchased by the University are required to have achieved a minimum Bronze-level registration or higher under the Electronic Products Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT), where applicable.
UC Sustainable Practices Policy: All desktop computers, laptops, and computer monitors purchased by the University are required to have achieved a minimum Bronze-level registration or higher under the Electronic Products Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT), where applicable.
Food service providers
Yes
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food service providers:
Yes, the UC System Sustainable Practices Policy provides Foodservice sustainability critiera: http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/3100155/Sustainable%20Practices
In the context of the Policy, sustainable food is defined as food and beverage
purchases that meet AASHE STARS’ “sustainably and ethically produced” food for campuses and Practice Greenhealth’s “sustainable food” for health locations, as outlined below:
a. AASHE STARS 2.2 Sustainably and Ethically Produced for campuses (https://stars.aashe.org/resources-support/help-center/operations/food-and-beverage-purchasing/#stars-2-2);
b. Practice Greenhealth Healthier Food Purchasing Standards for health
locations (https://noharm-uscanada.org/documents/sustainable-food-definitions-checklist)
3. With the goal of achieving 25% sustainable food purchases, all Food Service
Operations track and report the percentage of total annual food
budget spent on sustainable food at the campus. This language is also incorporated in the sustainable practices policy.
In the context of the Policy, sustainable food is defined as food and beverage
purchases that meet AASHE STARS’ “sustainably and ethically produced” food for campuses and Practice Greenhealth’s “sustainable food” for health locations, as outlined below:
a. AASHE STARS 2.2 Sustainably and Ethically Produced for campuses (https://stars.aashe.org/resources-support/help-center/operations/food-and-beverage-purchasing/#stars-2-2);
b. Practice Greenhealth Healthier Food Purchasing Standards for health
locations (https://noharm-uscanada.org/documents/sustainable-food-definitions-checklist)
3. With the goal of achieving 25% sustainable food purchases, all Food Service
Operations track and report the percentage of total annual food
budget spent on sustainable food at the campus. This language is also incorporated in the sustainable practices policy.
Garments and linens
Yes
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for garments and linens:
The University of California code of conduct stipulates that any article of clothing bearing the UC name be made in a factory that treats its workers as people, not as slaves, and the recent passing of the Designated Suppliers Act stipulates that 25% of licensed apparel must be paid a living wage – a wage that is higher than the minimum wage in all countries.
UC Code of Conduct for Trademark Licensees http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/3000130/CodeTrademarkLicensees
UC Code of Conduct for Trademark Licensees http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/3000130/CodeTrademarkLicensees
Professional service providers
Yes
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for professional service providers:
Yes, sustainability is a key component in services and contracting decisions and has been incorporated into specifications and evaluation criteria. https://www.ucop.edu/procurement-services/for-ucstaff/sustainable-procurement/sustainableprocurementguidelines.pdf
UC Sustainable Practices Policy: "The University will integrate sustainability requirements into its practices for competitive bidding in materiel and services procurement, allowing for suppliers that meet these requirements to earn additional evaluation points."
Provided in the Materiel Management Policy. Please visit http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/3220485/BFB-BUS-43
UC Sustainable Practices Policy: "The University will integrate sustainability requirements into its practices for competitive bidding in materiel and services procurement, allowing for suppliers that meet these requirements to earn additional evaluation points."
Provided in the Materiel Management Policy. Please visit http://policy.ucop.edu/doc/3220485/BFB-BUS-43
Transportation and fuels
Yes
A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
Located in the UC Sustainability Practices Policy: The University will implement transportation programs and GHG emission reduction strategies that reduce the environmental impacts from commuting, fleet and business air travel related to achieving the Climate Protection section of this Policy (see Section III.C.).
1. Each location will reduce GHG emissions from its fleet and report annually on its progress. Locations shall implement strategies to reduce fleet emissions and
improve fuel efficiency of all university-owned or operated fleet vehicles and
equipment where practical options exist through acquisition and fleet operation
protocols.
A. By 2025, zero emission vehicles or hybrid vehicles shall account for at least
50 percent of all new light-duty vehicle acquisitions.
2. The University recognizes that single-occupant vehicle (SOV) commuting is a
primary contributor to commute GHG emissions and localized transportation
impacts.
A. By 2025, each location shall strive to reduce its percentage of employees
and students commuting by SOV by 10% relative to its 2015 SOV commute
rates;
B. By 2050, each location shall strive to have no more 40% of its employees
and no more than 30% of all employees and students commuting to the
location by SOV.
3. Consistent with the State of California goal of increasing alternative fuel –
specifically electric – vehicle usage, the University shall promote purchases and
support investment in alternative fuel infrastructure at each location.
A. By 2025, each location shall strive to have at least 4.5% of commuter
vehicles be ZEV.
B. By 2050, each location shall strive to have at least 30% of commuter
vehicles be ZEV.
4. Each location will develop a business-case analysis for any proposed parking
structures serving University affiliates or visitors to campus to document how a
capital investment in parking aligns with each campus’ Climate Action Plans and/or sustainable transportation policies
1. Each location will reduce GHG emissions from its fleet and report annually on its progress. Locations shall implement strategies to reduce fleet emissions and
improve fuel efficiency of all university-owned or operated fleet vehicles and
equipment where practical options exist through acquisition and fleet operation
protocols.
A. By 2025, zero emission vehicles or hybrid vehicles shall account for at least
50 percent of all new light-duty vehicle acquisitions.
2. The University recognizes that single-occupant vehicle (SOV) commuting is a
primary contributor to commute GHG emissions and localized transportation
impacts.
A. By 2025, each location shall strive to reduce its percentage of employees
and students commuting by SOV by 10% relative to its 2015 SOV commute
rates;
B. By 2050, each location shall strive to have no more 40% of its employees
and no more than 30% of all employees and students commuting to the
location by SOV.
3. Consistent with the State of California goal of increasing alternative fuel –
specifically electric – vehicle usage, the University shall promote purchases and
support investment in alternative fuel infrastructure at each location.
A. By 2025, each location shall strive to have at least 4.5% of commuter
vehicles be ZEV.
B. By 2050, each location shall strive to have at least 30% of commuter
vehicles be ZEV.
4. Each location will develop a business-case analysis for any proposed parking
structures serving University affiliates or visitors to campus to document how a
capital investment in parking aligns with each campus’ Climate Action Plans and/or sustainable transportation policies
Optional Fields
Additional documentation to support the submission:
---
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/3100155/SustainablePractices
https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/3220485/BFB-BUS-43
https://policies.ucmerced.edu/uc-merced-policies-area/draft-policies-and-procedures-posted-comment
http://sustainability.ucmerced.edu/
https://www.ucop.edu/procurement-services/for-ucstaff/sustainable-procurement/sustainableprocurementguidelines.pdf
https://policy.ucop.edu/doc/3220485/BFB-BUS-43
https://policies.ucmerced.edu/uc-merced-policies-area/draft-policies-and-procedures-posted-comment
http://sustainability.ucmerced.edu/
https://www.ucop.edu/procurement-services/for-ucstaff/sustainable-procurement/sustainableprocurementguidelines.pdf
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.