University of Saskatchewan
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

For suppliers, sustainability is included in all bid documents. Sustainability is also included in the weighted evaluation criteria and subsequent contracts. The following text is included in all RFPs that go out for tender: "2.3 SUSTAINABILITY The U of S is committed to support principles of sustainability in procurement decisions, wherever practical. This includes consideration of environmental, social, ethical and economic impacts. Proposals should include a description of any corporate sustainability policy and sustainability initiatives currently in place, in process of being implemented or in the planning stages. Sustainability initiatives include both general initiatives within your organization and proposed initiatives specific to this procurement." For staff, sustainable procurement information and guidelines for the University of Saskatchewan are available online at the Office of Sustainability web page. This web page contains an introduction to sustainable purchasing, definitions, information on certifications to look for, a checklist for sustainable purchasing and commodity protocols for a variety of products purchased by the university.

A sustainable purchasing guide is available for de-icers, fertilizers and cleaners. For de-icers, Eco-Logo certified products, natural acetate-based de-icers and calcium chloride are preferred. Sodium and magnesium chloride and phosphates as a corrosion inhibitor should be avoided. For fertilizers, Eco-Logo certified organic compost and cadmium-free fertilizers are preferred. Native species that don't require fertilizers are also recommended. Chemical fertilizers and sewer-sludge fertilizers are avoided. For cleaners, EcoLogo or Green Seal certified products, biocompatible, food grade dyes and approved fragrances, strict toxicity limits are preferred. Alkylphenolethoxylate surfants, toxic chemicals and volatile organic compounds are avoided.

A sustainable purchasing guide is available for furniture, road materials, paint, light bulbs, caulking, piping and tools. For furniture, Eco-Logo and FSC-certified natural fibres, locally manufactured and Canadian-made latex foam and refurbished furniture are preferred.Plastic foam containing CFCs or HCFCs, formaldehyde and VOC emitting materials, polybrominated diphenyl ethers, synthetic fibres and polyurethane foam should be avoided. For road materials, recycled content, supplementary cementing material and permeable pavement are preferred. Virgin materials should be avoided. For paint, EcoLogo certified, recycled products and water-based solvents (“latex”) are preferred. VOCs and petrochemical-based components should be avoided. For light bulbs, Eco-Logo certified, occupancy sensors and energy efficient designs and bulbs including LEDs are preferred. For caulking compounds, EcoLogo certified products, appropriate amounts of sealant, durable and long-lasting, water-based clean-up are preferred. High VOC compounds (>5% by weight) or heavy metals should be avoided. For piping recycled PVC material is preferred. Excessive piping should be avoided. For tools, durable high-quality tools and sustainable materials are preferred. Plastic components, toxic finishes and compound materials should be avoided.

A sustainable purchasing guide is available for batteries, cellphones, electronic equipment, printing ink and large appliances. For batteries, EcoLogo certified, rechargeable, extended life and recyclable batteries are preferred. For cell phones, take-back programs and sustainable design innovations are preferred. Paper billing should be avoided. For electronic equipment, EcoLogo, EPEAT or Energy Star certified, recyclable products, take-back programs, leased electronics and multi-functional devices are preferred. For printing ink, EcoLogo certified, soy-based and vegetable-based inks, waterless printing and low VOC ink are preferred. Heavy metals and petroleum-based ink should be avoided. For large appliances, Energy Star or EcoLogo approved appliances and favourable Energuide ratings are preferred.

A sustainable purchasing guide is available for coffee and tea, food service equipment and vending machines. For coffee and tea, Fair-trade, EcoLogo certified products, water or C02 decaffeination, shade grown or organically grown is preferred. Excess packaging and chemical decaffeination should be avoided. For food service equipment, Energy Star approved, recyclable products and durable, long-lasting equipment are preferred. High plastic content should be avoided. For vending machines, an appropriate number of machines, Energy Star approved machines, efficient lighting and proximity sensors are preferred. Plastic components, CFC and HCFC refrigerants should be avoided.

A sustainable purchasing guide is available for apparel and bedding. For apparel, recycled fabrics, biodegradable dyes, certification of fair labour practices, organic fibres and renewable materials are preferred. Treatment with chlorine-based bleaches and wrinkle-resistant materials should be avoided. For bedding, products manufactured in Canada, encased products, natural fibres, and natural latex foam is preferred. Polybrominated diphenyl ethers, wrinkle-resistant fabrics and polyurethane foam is avoided.

A sustainable purchasing guide is available for transport, fuels, vehicles, tires, sorbents and anti-freeze. For transport, sea and rail freight, carbon-offsetting, consolidated and scheduled delivery and minimal packaging are preferred. Air freight and daily on-demand delivery should be avoided. For fuels, low in sulphur and/or additives, low carbon content (such as natural gas or propane) and mixtures with renewable products (biodiesel or ethanol) are preferred. High carbon content (such as gasoline or diesel) should be avoided. For vehicles, high fuel efficiency, designed for easy reuse or recycling and right-sized vehicles are preferred. Mercury in headlights and switches should be avoided. For tires, low resistance tires, EcoLogo certified, retreaded tires and long life and wear performance are preferred. High resistance tires should be avoided. For sorbents, recycled sorbents, the correct sorbent for the spill, and biocompatible sorbents are preferred. Reusable sorbents should be avoided. For antifreeze, EcoLogo certified, recycled, extended-life antifreeze or polypropylene glycol are preferred. Ethylene glycol should be avoided.

A sustainable purchasing guide is available for paper products, paperboard packaging and wood products. For paper products, high post-consumer recycled fibre content, non-wood fibres, chlorine-free, low brightness, and EcoLogo certified is preferred. Long distance transport and unsustainably harvested wood resources should be avoided. For paperboard packaging, EcoLogo certified products and sustainably harvested paper is preferred. Virgin paper materials and chlorine bleached paper should be avoided. For wood products, recycled plastic wood, FSC certified lumber, fast growing renewable materials and reused or recycled lumber is preferred. Virgin lumber, formaldehyde and VOCs and CCA pressure treated wood should be avoided.

A sustainable purchasing guide is also available for promotional materials, sports equipment and writing instruments. For promotional materials, alternatives to typical promotional items, suppliers with sustainability policies, natural and organic fibres, recycled or recyclable products and fair-trade are preferred. Plastics, one-time-use or disposable products and synthetic fibres should be avoided. For sports equipment, durability, repairable, recyclable and Fair-Trade, EcoLogo or FCS-certified equipment is preferred. Conventionally tanned leather and composite or hybrid materials should be avoided. For writing instruments, reusable pens and pencils, recycled materials, soy-based or vegetable inks, fine points and alcohol-based dry-erase markers are preferred. Petrochemical-based materials, inks containing heavy metals, solvent-based markers, and ketone-based dry-erase markers should be avoided.