7.12.2. RESPONSIBILITIES OF UNIVERSITY DEPARTMENTS

Departments should use the following recommendations as a guideline for sustainable purchasing and add to or modify this list as necessary. Factors that should be considered when determining the environmentally preferable good or service include, but are not limited to:

• Ensure that a need exists; that consideration is given to reusing existing items and items in university surplus
• Seek products that are durable, can be recharged, repaired, refilled, upgraded, or reused
• Purchase products made from recycled or repurposed materials
• Assess the recyclability and disposability of a product prior to purchase
• Seek products with minimal packaging
• Consider water and energy consumption prior to purchasing equipment
• Use contracted suppliers to reduce the number of delivery vehicles on campus
• Avoid products containing particularly harmful substances when possible
• Consolidate orders so products arrive in bulk, reducing deliveries and packaging
• Consider  total cost of ownership when evaluating a purchase
• Prolong product/equipment lifespan, invest in extended warranties, and/or perform routine maintenance

Part 7. Purchasing - Table of Contents