Sustainable Administration Hub: Procurement
Sustainable Administration Hub: Procurement
Sustainable Administration Hub: Procurement
Procurement is a critical part of sustainability. Our purchasing decisions determine which businesses are financially supported by Ohio University budget resources and reflect the values of the University. Ideally, those purchasing decisions will simultaneously benefit our people, our planet, and the prosperity of our region. Our sustainable purchasing guidelines and our student-created triple bottom line cost-benefit analysis tool are resources that can be used by Ohio University students and staff to evaluate their own purchases.
The Sustainability Project Laboratory is a database of sustainability-related project proposals. This resource hosts projects and project ideas that can be adopted by faculty, staff, and students for course projects, capstone or senior projects, theses, and more.
To find procurement related projects just type "procurement" into the search bar at the top of the database, or click the Sustainability Project Laboratory icon to the right.
Hub Supported Initiatives
| Initiative (Lead department/Unit) | SCAP Alignment |
|
Annual Procurement Fair (Procurement) A green event that encourages availability of sustainable products from University suppliers. Sustainability staff visit fair to interview suppliers on product sustainability. |
Increase purchasing of sustainable and/or recycled products across a range of categories. |
|
Participation in Pouring Rights RFP process (Procurement) Public bid process to choose new beverage supplier for Ohio University Culinary Services and Athletics. Director of Sustainability on RFP committee. |
Increase purchasing of sustainable and/or recycled products across a range of categories. (100% of concessionaires have sustainable purchasing in contract by 2026) |
|
Culinary Services Local Food Procurement (Culinary Services)  Culinary Services is a key player in the Sugar Bush grant-funded Farm to Ohio Working Group focusing on local food systems and local food procurement. Office of Sustainability staff support this working group. |
Increase purchasing of sustainable and/or recycled products across a range of categories (also see the Food theme of the Sustainability & Climate Action Plan) |
- EPEAT Gold computer purchases
- The University's Bobcat Depot purchases only EPEAT certified computers and laptops.
- RFP Sustainability language
- The University's RFP template contains requirements to provide sustainability information in all bid proposals.
Sustainable Purchasing Best Practices
| Sustainability Attribute | Sustainability Goal | Sustainable Purchasing Best Practices |
| Recycled content | Reduce carbon emissions, deforestation, use of finite resources | Favor higher post-consumer recycled content; Avoid "virgin" (non-recycled) paper or wood content |
| Local products | Reduce supply chain emissions; support local communities | Prioritize products made within the state of Ohio or within 250 miles of the campus |
| Conflict Free Minerals | Eliminate socially harmful extraction processes for minerals used in most electronic devices | Evaluation of vendor’s conflict mineral policy |
| Biodegradable/Compostable | Reduce landfill waste | Prioritize BPI-certified paper products |
| Fair Trade | Promote sustainable and equitable trade relationships between producers and consumers | Prioritize Fair Trade labeled products |
| Chemical Free | Minimize use of chemicals that diminish indoor air quality | Avoid purchasing products that require use in a well-ventilated area (e.g. cleaning products, hygiene products, carpeting, plastics, fabrics) |
| Sustainably Harvested | Reduce deforestation, desertification | Wood products (e.g. furniture) should be certified as sustainably harvested (FSC Certified) or rapidly regenerating (such as bamboo). |
| Energy Efficient | Reduce energy consumption, utility cost | Seek Energy Star rated appliances, alternative fuel or LEED rated vehicles |
| Carbon Offsets | Reduce institutional carbon footprint | Purchase offset credits to compensate for emissions produced |
Product Standard
| Product | Standard |
| Computers | EPEAT Gold rated |
| Paper | 30% post-consumer recycled content (minimum) |
| Styrofoam | Prohibited from purchasing (see Styrofoam Fact Sheet) |
| Vehicles | LEED rated |
Disposal Guidelines
- When a good is no longer desired, the owner must contact Moving and Surplus to have the product entered into the University's surplus inventory.
- Moving and Surplus may deem the product inappropriate for surplus inventory. In such a situation, the user will make a good faith effort to repurpose or recycle the product. Recycling pick-up can be requested by emailing the Office of Refuse and Recycling at recycle@ohio.edu.
- All electronic products should be disposed of at campus-designated locations for electronic waste
Ohio University Experts
| Name: | Contact: | Description: |
| Dan Karney | karney@ohio.edu |
Associate Professor of Economics |
| Joy Kostansek | jk985814@ohio.edu | Program Coordinator, Cincinnati University |
| Ryan Fogt | fogtr@ohio.edu |
Sustainable Administration Hub Coordinator |
| Elaine Goetz | goetze@ohio.edu | Director of Energy Management & Sustainability; Director of Sustainability |