Purchasing
Introduction
Collectively, institutions spend many billions of dollars on goods and services annually. Each purchasing decision represents an opportunity for institutions to choose environmentally and socially preferable products and services and support companies with strong commitments to sustainability.
Featured Resources
Latest News from AASHE Bulletin
New Resources
Sustainable and Ethical Purchasing: Fair Trade Procurement Policies and Practices
- Fair Trade Colleges & Universities (CA)
Over the last two years Fair Trade Colleges & Universities has developed and piloted policies to help institutions purchase sustainable and responsible goods. Leveraging the purchasing power of higher education ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Spearfish Local: Improving Community Health Through Collaboration
- Black Hills State University (SD)
Black Hills State University (BHSU) and community partners are seeking to create a culture that supports and values our local food economy and other aspects of healthy communities. Located in ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Do you want your receipt? How simple changes to bookstore operations reduce use of BPA and related chemicals.
- Minnesota Pollution Control Agency (MN)
What if even the simplest transaction at your campus bookstore could be better for employees and our environment? If your campus uses thermal paper receipts in its bookstore, library or ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Incorporating Life Cycle Analysis into Campus Dining
- University of Missouri (MO)
The environmental impacts associated with food production have been well-documented through Life cycle analyses (LCA). LCA of food products have focused largely on individual food items. However, very little work ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Appalachian State University/Scale Free Systems Project
- Appalachian State University (NC)
Scale Free Systems is a chemical free solution to scaling as well as corrosion and bacterial control in heat transfer equipment. The Scale Free System has been proven to prevent ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Understanding Why Product Lifecycles are Critical to Supporting Campus Sustainability Initiatives
- University of Denver (CO)
- Staples Business Advantage (MA)
- Kimberly-Clark Professional (GA)
Sustainability is an integral part of a university's environmental commitment and recruiting efforts. Universities need to embrace sustainable practices and be transparent when communicating measures being adopted to satisfy ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Real Food, Real Communities: Mobilizing Students, Community Members and Staff to reform College Food Procurement Policies
- Carleton College (MN)
- Bon Appétit Management Company
Where our food comes from and how it is produced is question that is becoming extremely important to students and administrators alike. Carleton College has demonstrated a commitment to answering ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Making Green Cleaning Stick: The Journey to Green Seal Standards
- Muskegon Community College (MI)
- Western Michigan University (MI)
LEED V4 now recognizes custodial programs certified under one of the following: Green Seal's Environmental Standard for Commercial Cleaning Services (GS-42); or International Sanitary Supply Association (ISSA) Cleaning Industry ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Cooperative Education: Promoting Sustainability in Procurement & Education
- Portland Community College (OR)
This presentation will share highlights from projects which seek to support instructors in the development and implementation of sustainability curriculum thereby increasing student engagement and improving their knowledge, skills and ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Local Purchasing 101: we'll debunk the price myth, talk through other obstacles to local purchasing and how to overcome them
- Denison University (OH)
With every college trying to buy more and more local food these days, many are struggling with how to do this but still meet their budget. I'll explain how ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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PROCUREMENT GONE GREEN!
- National Joint Powers Alliance
The ability to procure the specific Green products you desire, to meet your agencies unique Green initiatives, and without wasting time, money or unnecessary effort is at the core of ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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More Than Fair: Developing Ethical & Sustainable Guidelines for Purchasing
- Oregon State University (OR)
Over the past two years, multiple organizations within Oregon State University have collaborated to develop a set of priorities and guidelines aimed at increasing ethical purchasing practices on campus. This ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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98% of the Clothes We Buy Are Made Overseas
- TS Designs (NC)
Eric Henry will discuss the impact that fashion moving overseas has had not only on the finished product we wear but also on the world. Eric breaks down why a ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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UC Berkeley Plastic Disclosure Project
- University of California, Berkeley (CA)
The Plastic Disclosure Project (PDP) at UC Berkeley discloses the campus' plastic footprint, making it the first University to publicly reveal this information. The objectives of PDP is to measure ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Beyond Excuses: Banning Bottled Water on Your Campus (2014)
- Pacific Lutheran University (WA)
Over 90 universities across the US and Canada have enacted a policy of responsible water sales in their purchasing. They have each banned the sale of bottled water at their ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Teach by Example with Environmentally Preferable Electronics
- American University (DC)
- EPEAT/Green Electronics Council (OR)
Electronic products are everywhere on university campuses – from computers and monitors in labs and libraries, to copiers and printers in every academic office, to TVs in student dorms. IT equipment ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Integrating FSC into Your University: A Case Study of Berea College
- Berea College (KY)
- Hellmuth + Bicknese Architects (MO)
- Forest Stewardship Council (MN)
How we source and use forest products like wood and paper can have a significant impact on the environment. At academic institutions, where people use such significant quantities of wood ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Green Cleaning in the Real World: What Works and How Much Does it Cost?
- Lane Community College (OR)
Somewhere between cleaning products and equipment that simply don’t work and the greenwashed products that merely re-label toxic options lies the real world of green cleaning undertaken by a ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Buy Less, Buy Better: Defining Success in Green Purchasing
- University of Arizona (AZ)
- Office Depot, Inc. (TX)
In 2012, the University of Arizona enacted a Green Purchasing Policy directing that equal consideration be given to environmental and social factors as is given to typical purchasing considerations such ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Make a difference with a commitment to certified sustainable seafood
- Marine Stewardship Council (WA)
Higher Education is playing an increasingly important role in fostering sustainable practices, including food service and seafood. With increasing pressure on global fisheries to feed a growing population, the need ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Is Your Institution Ready for the Future of Sustainable Procurement?
- Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council (DC)
Leading organizations in government, industry, academia and the non-profit sector came together in 2013 to launch the Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council (SPLC) in an effort to solve the biggest obstacle ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Steps to Sustainable Procurement: Reducing Our Supply Chain Footprint
- Portland Community College (OR)
- Virginia Commonwealth University (VA)
As a leader in higher education sustainability, Portland Community College (PCC) completes an extensive greenhouse gas inventory annually, which includes calculating Scope III supply chain emissions from all purchases district-wide ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Changing how Macalester writes: implementing reusable dry erase
- Macalester College (MN)
Traditional dry erase markers contradict numerous of the Macalester College’s sustainability goals, including zero waste by 2020. Disposable markers are designed to be single-use and, consequently, wasteful. In 2013 ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Collaboration & Compromise: Alternatives to a Bottled Water Ban
- Portland State University (OR)
The call to ban bottled water sales on college and university campuses is growing stronger across the country, with 24 institutions listed by AASHE as having a ban in place ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sponsored Theater Presentation: Elkay
- ELKAY (IL)
Elkay, a name known for pioneering the most innovative clean water delivery methods, will showcase its latest technology in Water Bottle Filling Stations. Looking to offer a more sustainable solution ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Bio-Based Desktop Printing, It’s time to educate ourselves.
- Environment First Printing (NH)
Bio-Based Printing was introduced to the main stream in 2009. Since then, bio-based content has been increased, usage has increased, and companies all over the world have adopted a new ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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AASHE Panel Discussion: Behavior Catalyzing Sustainable Change
- Kimberly-Clark Professional (GA)
Furthering sustainability on campus and across the globe requires a team effort at shaking up the process, perceptions and habits to consider a new, more sustainable path. This panel will ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Plenary Session 3: Driving Innovations Simultaneously at the Economy, Community and Campus Scale
- Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council (DC)
In this plenary, strategist and social entrepreneur Jason Pearson, Executive Director of the Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council, founder of TRUTHstudio, and creator of Economy Map, will highlight the role of ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Environmental Life Cycle Analysis of Food at University of Washington
- University of Washington, Seattle (WA)
In spring 2014, twenty-five students in the class Sustainability Studio (in the undergraduate Environmental Studies program) partnered with University of Washington Housing and Food Services to assess the environmental impacts ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Power of Ethical Sourcing and Ecolabels: Perspectives from Fair Trade USA, Marine Stewardship Council and the Forest Steward
- Fair Trade Colleges & Universities (CA)
With thousands of products on shelves and hundreds of ecolabels, making purchasing decisions that provide positive benefits to the environment and society can be confusing for professionals and consumers. The ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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On-site Power Purchase Agreements 101: What you really need to know
- Yale University (CT)
- Community Energy, Inc. (PA)
- Second Nature (MA)
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (DC)
In an effort to address climate change universities across the nation have made formal commitments and set targets to reduce campus greenhouse gas emissions. They are now grappling with how ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainable Purchasing: Developing a "LEED for Purchasing"
- American University (DC)
- AASHE (PA)
The potential for purchasing to positively influence supply chains has yet to be realized at scale, due largely to the lack of an overall sustainable purchasing framework. Lacking a coherent ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Farm to Institution New England: Successes & Lessons Learned in Institutional Local Food Procurement
- Skidmore College (NY)
- Farm to Institution New England (VT)
After several years of farm to institution projects and initiatives in the northeast, there have been many successes and many important lessons learned. This panel will highlight the ways that ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Off-site Power Purchase Agreements: How Long-term Contracts Can Reduce Emissions and Energy Costs
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (DC)
- ERG Consulting Firm (MA)
Colleges and universities are committing to aggressive emission reduction goals as part of their efforts to reduce their carbon footprints and meet their commitments under the ACUPCC. Electricity use commonly ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Paper Sourcing: Easy Wins on Campus, Huge Impacts in the Forest
- Forest Stewardship Council (MN)
- World Wildlife Fund (DC)
Overall paper consumption globally is on the rise. In the US alone we consume 500 lbs. of paper per capita, which is more than any other country. 40% of the ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Opportunities for Wind and Solar Technology Education: Stabilize Energy Costs
- MV Green Power LLC (TX)
The presenters will also describe methods of incorporating the latest information on renewable energy technologies, solar and wind, into college course curricula. We also discuss ways of integrating these renewable ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Local Sourcing for Agriculturally Disadvantaged Universities
- Northern Arizona University (AZ)
Sourcing local is an important and growing standard for dining services across the nation’s campuses. The benefits of local sourcing do not stop at the loading dock with quality ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Redux: Re-examining Wood’s Role as a Sustainable Material
- Perkins+Will (NY)
High performance sustainable design is often linked to advancements in materials and new technologies, however tried-and-true design practices and traditional materials are an increasingly important part of the practice of ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Putting Our Money Where Our Mouth Is: Analyzing Supply Chain Emissions and Activities at Portland Community College
- Portland Community College (OR)
Portland Community College is required to report on their GHG footprint, by the ACUPCC. In 2006, the college’s first GHG reporting period, we used Second Nature’s Clean Air-Cool ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Using Life Cycle Analysis to Assess and Reduce the Footprint of "Mega-Events" at the University of Arizona
- University of Arizona (AZ)
Many universities have invested significant resources to reduce environmental impacts associated with their larger events, including “zero waste” strategies and offsets. This presentation presents methods, results, and discussion of our ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Connecting People to Products and Services: Creating Active Citizenry Through Knowledge Systems
- College of Charleston (SC)
In 2005, The College of Charleston joined the Fair Labor Association in response to pressure from students, faculty, and staff, to be more cognizant of the impacts of their corporate ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Sustainable Food Metrics: Accountability, Efficiency, and Equity
- Emory University (GA)
How do we assess whether our campus food services are doing their part to support a larger sustainability vision for higher education? Diverse metrics around procurement (such as commitments to ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Factoring Supply Chain into Scope 3 GHG Reporting
- Emory University (GA)
Thanks to a push from large corporations such as Wal-Mart, many corporations are tracking the greenhouse gas emissions of their supply chain. Knowledge of your supply chain is essential for ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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The Dining Hall as a Classroom: A Unique Model for a Life-Cycle Analysis Course
- Northwestern University (IL)
Though students, faculty, and the dining service have all shown dedication to sustainable initiatives, there has been little academic research on the sustainability of our campus dining service. This year ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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A Novel Alternative to Purchasing Carbon Off-Sets
- Utah State University (UT)
Nearly one-fifth (19%) of Utah State University's (USU) carbon emissions result from faculty, staff and students traveling on business. Travelers logged over 17 million miles in air travel and ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Green Cleaning: Your Janitorial Service as a Recruiter
- Green Seal (DC)
- ServiceMaster Building Maintenance
Using a certified green cleaning service, whether an outside contractor or in-house staff, has many benefits for a college or university. Protecting the health of students, faculty and staff, as ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Making an Orderly Transition to Safer Chemicals, Materials and Products
- Rochester Institute of Technology (NY)
- Staples Business Advantage (MA)
Emerging market opportunities driven by consumer demand and changing regulations in the U.S. and abroad are compelling businesses and organizations up and down the supply chain to ask their ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Strategies and Collective Opportunities for Procuring Renewable Electricity for Higher Education Institutions
- U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (DC)
Colleges and universities are committing to aggressive carbon reduction goals as part of their efforts to become more sustainable and meet their commitments under the ACUPCC. The purchase of renewable ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Banning Bottled Water on the College Campus; Beyond Excuses
- Pacific Lutheran University (WA)
This paper examines case studies of three very different universities across the US and Canada, all of whom have enacted a policy of responsible water management in their purchasing. They ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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Foam-Free Dining at the University of Florida
- Aramark Higher Education (PA)
Gator Dining Services/ARAMARK removed all foam food packaging from all dining location, including the dining halls, Classic Fare Catering, and the national brands on University of Florida's campus ...
- Posted Feb. 26, 2016
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This tab provides access to data collected through AASHE’s Sustainability Tracking, Assessment & Rating System™ (STARS). STARS is a transparent, self-reporting framework for colleges and universities to measure their sustainability performance. STARS enables meaningful comparisons over time and across institutions using a common set of measurements developed with broad participation from the campus sustainability community. Additional content and advanced benchmarking tools will be added to this tab over time.
Programs and Initiatives
The following links connect to specific Content Displays on the STARS website (AASHE membership and log-in required).
- Electronics purchasing policies, guidelines and directives
- Green cleaning product purchasing policies, guidelines and directives
- Paper purchasing policies, guidelines and directives
- Life Cycle Cost Analysis policies and practices
Scores
The following link connects to the Score Display on the STARS website (AASHE membership and log-in required).
Purchasing Partners
Pharos Systems International
Rochester, NYBusiness Leader
APC Filtration Inc.
Brantford, ONBusiness Affiliate
Balfour College Division
Austin, TXBusiness Affiliate
CustomerFirst Renewables
Gaithersburg, MDBusiness Affiliate
EPEAT/Green Electronics Council
Portland, ORBusiness Affiliate
First American Education Finance
Fairport, NYBusiness Affiliate
Green Seal
Washington, DCBusiness Affiliate
Jostens
Minneapolis, MNBusiness Affiliate
National Association of Educational Procurement
Columbia, MDOak Hall Cap & Gown
Salem, VABusiness Affiliate
Rivanna Natural Designs
Richmond, VABusiness Affiliate
Rochester Midland Corporation
Rochester, NYBusiness Affiliate
Sleep On Latex
Chicago, ILBusiness Affiliate
Staples Business Advantage
Framingham, MABusiness Affiliate
Sustainable Purchasing Leadership Council
Washington, DCBusiness Affiliate
TreeZero Paper
Atlanta, GABusiness Affiliate