Overall Rating Silver - expired
Overall Score 55.60
Liaison Jane Stewart
Submission Date March 6, 2020

STARS v2.2

Washington and Lee University
OP-11: Sustainable Procurement

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.25 / 3.00 Nicole Poulin
Campus Garden Manager
Office of Sustainability
"---" 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?:
No

A copy of the policies, guidelines or directives:
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The policies, guidelines or directives:
We decided to answer "No" for this question because even though W&L requires that all products purchased by the University must be Energy Star rated when the standard is relevant, currently, this is the only formal, published, institutional purchasing policy. Purchasing decisions are otherwise made at the individual department level. While this practice appropriately gives control to those best positioned to choose suitable products, it fails to provide departments with the information and incentive necessary to prioritize environmental impact in the process.

Part 2. Life Cycle Cost Analysis 

Does the institution employ Life Cycle Cost Analysis (LCCA) when evaluating energy- and water-using products and systems?:
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:
This a standard evaluation tool for new systems and is written in the 2019 Climate Action Plan.

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:
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Consumable office products

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating consumable office products?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for consumable office products:
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Furniture and furnishings

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating furniture and furnishings?:
Yes

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for furniture and furnishings:
Universal Procurement and Building Policy:
All appliances purchased by the University must be rated as Energy Star compliant if that type of appliance is rated by the program. In addition, it is now policy that all new buildings and major renovations will be LEED certified, so things like furniture, flooring, ceilings, walls, and other building materials are evaluated using sustainability (specifically LEED) criteria.

Information Technology (IT) and equipment

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating Information technology (IT) and equipment?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for Information Technology (IT) and equipment:
In W&L's Climate Action Plan, it states "Information Technology Services will review the feasibility of adopting a purchasing policy mandating Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) rated equipment when applicable, and assess new technology acquisitions for energy efficiency and ease of shutting down during periods of non-use." While this is not a current published policy, we are working towards it.

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:
While we do not have published sustainability criteria for evaluating food service providers, dining services is committed to purchasing 100% certified compostable products. For example, currently we are negotiating a new contract with a coffee vendor and dining reached out to the Office of Sustainability in order to confirm that the vendors that they are negotiating with offer appropriate, certified compostable products that are allowed in our composting facility. This is a priority for them and they will not commit to a vendor who does not offer certified compostable products.

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:
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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:
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Transportation and fuels

Does the institution have published sustainability criteria to be applied when evaluating transportation and fuels?:
No

A brief description of the published sustainability criteria for transportation and fuels:
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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:
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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.