Overall Rating Silver
Overall Score 58.33
Liaison Jessica Bilecki
Submission Date March 14, 2024

STARS v2.2

University of the Pacific
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.75 / 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:
The entire purchasing policy is attached. The policy includes guidelines on supplier diversity; energy efficient appliances; paper; waste reduction; vehicles; water; biodegradable products; and green building.

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?:
---

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?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for chemically intensive products and services:
Statement in Purchasing Policy: Pacific is committed to reducing risks to health, safety, and the environment by using biodegradable 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 of chlorofluorocarbon-containing refrigerants, solvents and similar products. Procurement of readily biodegradable surfactants and detergents that do not contain phosphates.

Preference for Green Cleaning certified products as stated in Facilities Sustainability Operations & Maintenance Standards: Stockton Campus
1. Cleaners are not used when cleaning windows. Instead, an ionization, water-based
system is used.
2. Eco-Label Standards
a. Toilet paper is FSC certified.
b. Toilet seat covers are 70% recycled content
c. Hand soap is EcoLogo certified
d. Paper towels: EcoLogo cert
e. Heavy duty, multi-purpose and glass and floor cleaners are Green Seal
Certified, EcoLogo (UL environment) certified or other nationally recognized
standard:
i. Cradle to Cradle Certified
ii. Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified
iii. U.S. EPA Safer Choice labeled
iv. Other multi-criteria sustainability standards and ISO Type 1 ecolabels
developed/administered by
v. Global Ecolabelling Network and/or ISEAL Alliance member
organizations
San Francisco Campus
3. Paper towels are 50% or more recycled content.
4. Eco – Labeling: All supplies provided by contractor must be green seal, ecologo
certified or other nationally recognized standard; exceptions will be approved by
authorized Pacific representative/Building Operations Supervisors. A current inventory of all cleaning equipment and supplies will be available for review at all times including equipment manuals and MSDS sheets.

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:
The Purchasing Policy outlines guidelines for appliances, paper, and waste reduction considerations for consumable products in general. Guidelines are as follows. Electronics must be energy star and copier paper must be 30% post consumer waste or higher. Waste reduction considerations include: Products made of recycled materials; maximizing post-consumer content; prioritizing durable and/or reusable products as opposed to single use, customized or disposable items; products that are recyclable or compostable at the time of disposal; products shipped with minimal packaging (consistent with care of product), preferably made of recycled and/or recyclable materials; products produced locally minimizing transportation distances

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?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for food service providers:
Though it is not an official policy, Pacific prioritizes selection of dining service providers that:
- Source ingredients that have some sustainability certification such as organic, fair trade, Monterey Bay Seafood Watch sustainable seafood.
- Source ingredients from local, diverse suppliers
- Minimize waste in operations by utilizing reusable serviceware and providing compostable serviceware when disposables have to be used.
- Actively contribute to landfill diversion by donating or composting leftover food and food scraps as appropriate.
- 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:
Though not included in the Purchasing Policy, contracts with university bookstore vendor do require trademarked clothing to be produced under fair working conditions as indicated by manufacturer maintaining current membership in the Worker Rights Consortium, the Fair Labor Association or adopting a similar labor rights code of conduct.

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:
The Purchasing Policy outlines commitments to and guidelines for increasing supplier and professional services diversity. These sections of the Purchasing Policy are to promote and increase business opportunities for small business concerns, including small business concerns controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged individuals and firms certified as minority and/or women-owned business enterprises. RFPs and contracts also include a section on supplier diversity.

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:
Additional documentation to support the submission:
Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
Webpage with Purchasing Policy is available to Pacific employees.

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.