Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 46.15
Liaison Jessica Bilecki
Submission Date March 4, 2021

STARS v2.2

University of the Pacific
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.50 / 3.00 Ronda Marr
Purchasing Manager
Business and Finance
"---" 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:
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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?:
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A brief description of the LCCA policy and/or practices:
N.A

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?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:
Pacific is committed to reducing risks to health, safety, and the environment by using responsible purchasing practices, including, but not limited to:
Refraining from procurement of cleaning or disinfecting products (i.e. for janitorial or automotive use) containing carcinogens, mutagens, or teratogens. Chemicals to avoid are listed by the U.S. EPA or the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health.
Phase out chlorofluorocarbon-containing refrigerants, solvents and similar products have been phased out. Over 90% have been phased out.
Procurement of readily biodegradable surfactants and detergents that do not contain phosphates

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:
Pacific sustainable paper use guidelines are consistent with the Pacific's policy on sustainability and will help us achieve our broader sustainability goals.
Pacific is phasing out the use of virgin paper and conforms to a minimum standards of 30% post consumer waste (PCW) recycled content paper for all paper used in copiers and printers.
Pacific encourages offices and departments to adopt a higher standard (50%, 75%, 100%) post-consumer recycled content paper where appropriate.
To reduce paper usage, Pacific encourages departments to:
Scan documents when practicable
To fully utilize double sided printing capacity in printers and copiers
Pacific also commits to developing a mechanism to report on paper usage by category (e.g., virgin, 30% PCW, etc.) and by department.

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:
N.A

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:
Pacific is committed to the use of sustainable practices in the conduct of Pacific operations. To this end, energy efficiency, as well as short-term and long-term cost, must be evaluated when purchasing energy consuming appliances/equipment. All appliances/equipment purchased by the Pacific must be ENERGY STAR, if such approval exists for the type of appliance/equipment being purchased.
The Environmental Protection Agency ENERGY STAR Program identified appliances and equipment that meet specific energy efficiency requirements (http://www.energystar.gov). These items include heating and cooling equipment, computers, computer peripherals, printers, copy machines, audiovisual equipment, projectors, televisions, washers, dryers, cooking appliances, and refrigerators.
EPEAT is a (Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool) system that helps purchasers evaluate, compare and select electronic products based on their environmental attributes (http://www.epeat.net). The system currently covers desktop and laptop computers, thin clients, workstations and computer monitors

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:
Included in Service Providers contract:
- A commitment to recycling that, at a minimum, matches and evolves with the University's recycling program.
- Seeks out suppliers that minimize their environmental impacts through the effective use of ecologically sustainable growing techniques.
- Incorporates available local product options into the menu, supporting the local agricultural community and minimizing ecological transportation impacts.
- Utilizes resource-saving practices and technology
- Minimizes use of packaging and disposable ware and incorporates the use of more ecologically-sensitive disposable ware.
- Employs ecologically friendly disposal approaches such as recycling and composting
- Provides effective education to its staff and customers about sustainable dining practices and innovation.

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:
N.A

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:
N.A

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:
Pacific is committed to implementing an efficient and effective economic and environmental strategy for campus fleets. Campuses shall implement practicable and cost-effective measures, including the purchase of:
Hybrid electric vehicles, which combine an internal combustion engine with a battery and electric motor to maximize fuel economy and produce fewer e missions
Electric and/or solar vehicles
Vehicles that use compressed natural gas, methanol, ethanol or propane as a
cleaner alternative to gasoline
Vehicles with best-in-class fuel efficiency
Upon determination of the need to purchase or lease a vehicle selection criteria shall include reduction of greenhouse gas emissions, nonrenewable energy use, reduced air pollution, and encouraging market development.

Optional Fields 

Website URL where information about the institution’s sustainable procurement program or initiatives is available:
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Webpage no longer publicly available. University of the Pacific updated the public-facing website in Fall 2020, eliminating multiple pages including this one.
Page is still accessible to Pacific staff here:
https://www.pulse.pacific.edu/about-pacific/administration-offices/business-and-finance-division/about/controllers-office/policies-and-procedures/business-policies-and-procedures-index-page/purchasing-policy.html

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.