University of Colorado Boulder
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Environmentally preferable products are “products and services [that] have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment when compared to other products and services that serve the same purpose. This comparison may consider raw materials acquisition, production, manufacturing, packaging, distribution, reuse, operation, maintenance, or disposal of the product or service.” University departments should consider the following practices and commodity identifiers when planning purchases of goods and services: Source reduction, recycled content products, energy and water savings, landscaping, toxic products and pollution, and forest conservation. Environmentally responsible purchasing can be applied to the following product categories: paper, computers, printers, fax machines and copiers, cleaners, paint, and vehicle fleets. The CU-Boulder ERP checklist contains guidelines for commonly purchased products. For definitions and more detailed information, please visit the following link: https://www.colorado.edu/ecenter/greening-cu/environmentally-responsible-purchasing

CU does LCCA on a case-by-case basis. Example from bidding requirements for a custom chiller for the UCB Campus: Manufacturer's bid shall include a completed life-cycle cost analysis form based on criteria at the end of this section. Provide kW/Ton versus percent of load graph with bid submittal. Provide kW/Ton at 10% increments from full load to 10% load with constant condenser water of 80, 75, 65, 60, 55, 50 (or minimum condenser water).

Criteria for purchasing chemically intensive products and services include: Refrain from procuring cleaning or disinfecting products (i.e. for janitorial or automotive use) containing carcinogens, mutagens, or teratogens. Chemicals to be avoided are listed by the U.S. EPA or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health on the Toxics Release Inventory. Phase out chlorofluorocarbon-containing refrigerants, solvents, and similar products. Procure readily biodegradable surfactants and detergents that do not contain phosphates. Maintain buildings and landscapes, manage pest problems through the application of prevention techniques and physical, mechanical and biological controls Procure products with the lowest amount of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), highest recycled content, and low or no formaldehyde in materials such as paint, carpeting, adhesives, furniture, and casework. Reduce or eliminate the use of products that contribute to the formation of dioxins and furans, including, but not limited to: Paper, paper products, and janitorial paper products that are bleached or processed with chlorine or chlorine derivatives Products that use polyvinyl chloride (PVC), including, but not limited to, office binders, furniture, flooring, and medical supplies. Procure products and equipment with contain no lead or mercury. For products containing lead or mercury, give consideration to those with lower quantities of these metals and to vendors with established lead and mercury recovery programs. Consider vehicle procurement alternatives to diesel such as compressed natural gas, biobased fuels, hybrids, electric batteries, and fuel cells, as available. https://www.colorado.edu/ecenter/greening-cu/environmentally-responsible-purchasing

All new construction and/or renovation required to meet at least LEED Gold, according to campus building standards. For construction/renovation products: Procure wood products such as lumber and paper that originate from forests harvested in an environmentally sustainable manner. Give consideration to wood products that are certified to be sustainably harvested by a comprehensive, performance-based certification system. The certification system shall include independent third-party audits, with standards equivalent to, or stricter than, those of the Forest Stewardship Council certification. When practicable, procure locally, sustainably harvested wood. Recommendations applicable to source reduction: Institute practices that reduce waste, resulting in the purchase of fewer products whenever practicable and cost-effective, but without reducing safety or workplace quality. Consider short-term and long-term costs in comparing product alternatives. Include evaluation of total costs expected during the time a product is owned, including, but not limited to, acquisition, extended warranties, operation, supplies, maintenance, disposal costs, and expected lifetime compared to other alternatives. Purchase products that are durable, long-lasting, reusable, or refillable. Request that vendors eliminate packaging or use the minimum amount necessary for product protection to the greatest extent practicable. Request packaging that is reusable, recyclable, or compostable when suitable uses and programs exist. Reuse pallets and packaging materials. Require that all equipment purchased, when practicable, be compatible with products and services that provide source reduction benefits. Recommendations applicable to purchasing new building materials/furnishings/electronics include: Energy-efficient equipment with the most up-to-date energy efficiency functions including, but not limited to, high-efficiency heating and cooling systems Efficient lighting with energy-efficient equipment. Products for which the U.S. EPA Energy Star certification is available and which meet Energy Star certification, when practicable When Energy Star labels are not available, choose energy-efficient products that are in the upper 25% of energy efficiency as designated by the Federal Energy Management Program Water-saving products Used Furniture Recycled content No old growth wood Derived from locally, sustainably harvested materials *Look for Forest Steardship Council certification Recommendations applicable to paint include: Low-VOC (volatile organic compound) paint should continue to be the specified standard use product Zero-VOC paint should be available for implementation as the technology and performance increases with future development. Currently, it is not adequate for high use areas. The use of deep colored paints which contain higher VOC content should be discouraged and minimized The CU-Boulder ERP checklist contains guidelines for commonly purchased products https://www.colorado.edu/ecenter/greening-cu/environmentally-responsible-purchasing

Case by case. https://www.colorado.edu/ecenter/greening-cu/environmentally-responsible-purchasing Energy-efficient equipment with the most up-to-date energy efficiency functions including, but not limited to, high-efficiency heating and cooling systems Efficient lighting with energy-efficient equipment. Products for which the U.S. EPA Energy Star certification is available and which meet Energy Star certification, when practicable When Energy Star labels are not available, choose energy-efficient products that are in the upper 25% of energy efficiency as designated by the Federal Energy Management Program Recommendations applicable to computers, printers, fax machines, and copiers include: Use flat-panel LCD computer monitors for the best performance and energy use. Look for products with minimal packaging and shipping. Pay attention to products’ energy conservation, labeling, materials selection, end of life management and packaging considerations. Choose EnergyStar electronics Select and compare computer desktops, laptops and monitors based on their environmental attributes by using EPEAT

https://www.colorado.edu/ecenter/greening-cu/environmentally-responsible-purchasing Procure wood products such as lumber and paper that originate from forests harvested in an environmentally sustainable manner. Give consideration to wood products that are certified to be sustainably harvested by a comprehensive, performance-based certification system. The certification system shall include independent third-party audits, with standards equivalent to, or stricter than, those of the Forest Stewardship Council certification. When practicable, procure locally, sustainably harvested wood. Products for which the United States Environmental Protection Agency (U.S. EPA) has established minimum recycled content standard guidelines - such as printing paper, office paper, janitorial paper, construction, landscaping, transportation, vehicles, and non-paper office products - and which contain the highest post-consumer content practicable, but no less than the minimum recycled content standards established by the U.S. EPA Guidelines