Sustainable Purchasing
Boston University strives to be an industry leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving Zero Waste, as outlined in Boston University’s Climate Action Plan and Zero Waste Plan, by embracing best practices for sustainable sourcing and procurement of goods and services.
For every ton of material burned or buried locally, 71 tons of material were disposed upstream through mining, manufacturing, and distribution of products. The Zero Waste Hierarchy of Highest and Best Use recognizes that “more energy can be saved, and global warming impacts decreased, by reducing waste, reusing products, recycling and composting than can be produced from burning discards or recovering landfill gases.”
The University seeks to identify, adopt, and promote measurable strategies to reduce its emissions from purchasing and waste-related activities. The University will rethink how it purchases goods and services. First, we will prioritize reduction of product purchases overall; then, consider used and surplus goods before considering new goods. BU aims to avoid single-use products and packaging, buy remanufactured or durable goods, and lease/share equipment.
The University defines sustainable goods and services as those which deliver value (quality and cost) to BU, and for the environment and society. The University is committed to the stewardship of the environment, fair labor practices, supplier diversity, reducing the risk of exposure to harmful chemicals, and minimizing adverse effects of the University’s purchasing decisions. BU will source goods and services from strategic suppliers that are aligned with these goals.
The scope of the Sustainable Purchasing Program covers consumable goods, chemicals for cleaning and landscaping, appliances and equipment, electronics, furniture, vehicles, and transportation products. Separately, BU Dining and Auxiliary Services have developed goals and tracking sustainable purchasing of food and related non-food products.
The full guidelines for the Sustainable Purchasing Program is available to download here.
Below are the list of different categories, and the related guidelines for sustainable purchasing:
Category | Recognized Certifications & Standards | Required Minimum | Preferred Standard | Example products |
Commercial Print |
GreenSeal
Sustainable Green Printing Partnership
|
Green alternatives, such as chemicals reduction, soy-based inks, recycled content paper, and alternatives to foam project boards
|
Green alternatives, such as chemicals reduction, soy-based inks, recycled content paper, and alternatives to foam project boards
Minimal Styrofoam
Maximum recycling of materials used in printing process
Use of alternative energy sources |
Large volume print orders, magazines, brochures |
Stationery |
GreenSeal
|
100% Post-Consumer Recycled Content or
Agricultural residue content |
100% Post-Consumer Recycled Content or Agricultural residue content | Notepads, envelopes, business cards |
Office Furniture | Carpet and Rug Institute Green Label Plus
Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) Indoor Advantage
|
Purchased with consideration to toxins and waste minimization and durability; without added flame retardants, and one of the following certifications: GreenGuard Gold or BIFMA Level | Purchased with consideration to toxins and waste minimization and durability; without added flame retardants, recycled content and/or organic materials, and one of the following certifications:
GreenGuard Gold or BIFMA Level |
Task chairs, desks, tables |
Office/Copy Paper | FSC Recycled
Post-consumer recycled content (PCRC)
Processed Chlorine Free (PCF)
|
100% Post-Consumer Recycled Content or Agricultural residue content
|
100% Post-Consumer Recycled Content or Agricultural residue content
|
Copy paper |
Office and Breakroom Supplies | GreenSeal
Post-consumer recycled content (PCRC)
Non-antimicrobial |
Recycled content and end of life recyclability | Recycled content and end of life recyclability | Binders, clips, folders, writing utensils |
Promotional Products | GreenSeal
|
Purchased with consideration to durability, recyclability, reusability, and minimal packaging
No sweat shop labor/sound labor practices |
Purchased with consideration to durability, recyclability, reusability, and minimal packaging
No sweat shop labor/sound labor practices |
T-shirts, drinkware, apparel |
Air Travel | Book all University travel through Concur & Christopherson Business Travel | Book all University travel through Concur & Christopherson Business Travel | Flights | |
Transportation Products | Contain the highest post-consumer recycled content practical | Contain the highest post-consumer recycled content practical | Signs, cones, parking stops, delineators, channelizers, and barricades | |
Vehicles | UL safety certifications
|
Hybrid, plug-in hybrid | Battery electric | Sedan/SUV, pickup truck, passenger van, cargo van |
EV Charging Stations | Energy STAR | Networked charging station with data tracking services, in alignment with Massachusetts and Eversource standards | ||
Electronics & IT Hardware | Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT)
|
Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) criteria designated as “Bronze” | Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT) criteria designated as “Gold” and Energy STAR | Computers, monitors, printers, copiers, servers, televisions |
Toner | EcoLogo | Use high-capacity cartridges | Use high-capacity and remanufactured cartridges | |
Laboratory Supplies | ThermoFisher Green Leaf Label
|
Purchased with consideration to toxins and waste minimization, durability, recyclability, and reusability | Purchased with consideration to toxins and waste minimization, durability, recyclability and reusability | Chemicals absent from the TURA hazardous chemicals list and glassware, gloves, chemicals/reagents |
Laboratory Equipment and Appliances | Energy STAR
|
High efficiency | High efficiency and
Energy STAR Certification |
Fume hoods, biosafety cabinets, centrifuge, microscopes |
Lab Equipment, Freezers, & Furniture | Energy STAR
|
High efficiency | High efficiency and
Energy STAR Certification |
Fume hoods, biosafety cabinets, centrifuge, microscopes |