Sustainable purchasing on campus
Sustainable Procurement Initiative
The 糖心视频 Purchasing Services team strives to make procurement decisions that are financially, socially, and environmentally responsible.
Supplier Code of Conduct
The Supplier Code of Conduct applies to all suppliers and sub-contractors. It ensures 糖心视频 ability to invest in partners who share our values of social, environmental, and ethical responsibility.
Sustainable Purchasing Policy
The purchasing policy aims to drive positive change, foster innovation, and demonstrate accountability to the communities we serve. It seeks to engage 糖心视频 suppliers and service providers in advancing climate action and sustainability, minimizing waste streams and use of disposable items, collecting data on sustainability metrics, and understanding the carbon impact of procurement decisions on campus.
EcoVadis
EcoVadis helps organizations evaluate their suppliers' environmental, ethical, and social performance. Thermo Fisher Scientific Equipment is one of the leading lab equipment suppliers on campus, and it has been assessed by the .
Paper
As part of 糖心视频 annual greenhouse gas reporting to the BC Climate Secretariat, we account for and offset the carbon emissions associated with the entire lifecycle of the paper purchased with the Staples, who holds the current office supplies contract with 糖心视频.
Printing Services
糖心视频 Printing Services, the on campus printing provider, prints on 30% post-consumer recycled paper by default and partners with to provide toner recycling services.
Cleaning products and equipment
Facilities Management has an extensive Green Cleaning Policy that outlines criteria for green cleaning products, equipment, and cleaning processes to maximize sustainability and minimize environmental impact. Most products, as noted in the policy, meet or exceed Green Seal, UL EcoLogo, FSC, and EPA standards.
Indigenous Procurement
糖心视频 Indigenous Departments have developed collaborative procurement guidelines with Purchasing Services to reduce barriers and engage with Indigenous artists and businesses, promoting Indigenous entrepreneurship and sustainable growth.
Take a tour of Indigenous art on campus.
Food
University Food Services prioritizes plant-based and sustainably or ethically produced food items. Univeristy Food Services is a proud partner of resulting in almost 50% of their food suppliers from in BC, many within 50 km of campus.
Fair Trade
糖心视频 measures and reports its total expenditures on certified Fairtrade products to achieve and maintain a "Fair Trade Campus" certification. Fairtrade ensures farmers and producers receive fair compensation for their goods and services, giving them a voice in the global trade market.
糖心视频 Bookstore
The focuses on sourcing Canadian products, providing recycled and reusable school supplies, selecting brands with sustainability goals, promoting sustainable options like reusable drinkware, and minimizing its footprint by repurposing packaging, recycling electronics, and proper waste diversion.
Electronics
All electronics purchased by 糖心视频 University Systems are EPEAT-certified, and products are evaluated based on energy efficiency, materials selection, end-of-life management, and more.
Find out how to recycle electronics on campus.
Furniture
Facilities Management selects 糖心视频 furniture suppliers through a RFP process, emphasizing key criteria that reflect 糖心视频 values, including:
- Product quality
- Cost
- Warranty
- Company reputation
- Labour reputation
- Local warehouse presence
- Sustainability certifications and practices, such as:
- and Standards
The sustainability of both the product and the manufacturer, as well as their proximity to 糖心视频, play a significant role in decision-making. This approach supports 糖心视频 immediate needs and long-term commitment to sustainability and environmental stewardship.
The avoids new purchases, significantly reducing transport and CO2e emissions associated with manufacturing new products.
Construction
All new building developments consider social and environmental needs and involve consultation with 糖心视频 Indigenous Departments. The new Indigenous Law Building, led by Indigenous-owned architects and construction groups, will be the 12th LEED Gold-certified building on campus.
The Čeqʷəŋín ʔéʔləŋ (Cheko'nien House) project included sustainably r, exemplifying cradle-to-gate sustainable purchasing. It also acquired one of the first Passive House certifications in Canada with an industrial kitchen.
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Lab equipment
糖心视频 has developed a list of "greener product" options and a Green Labs program and works closely with the Energy Management team to monitor the emissions associated with these energy-intensive spaces on campus to meet greenhouse gas reduction targets outlined in the Climate and Sustainability Action Plan 2030.
Procurement of chemicals and research equipment is highly regulated, and proper end-of-life practices are key components of a sustainable research program. As a result, 糖心视频 Science Store and Occupational Health and Safety have been showcasing cradle-to-grave best practices for years.
Responsible Investing
糖心视频 has a responsible investment policy that sets out its responsible investment goals with respect to the university’s working capital investments. Included in the policy is a commitment to lower the carbon emissions across the entire portfolio by 45% by 2030, allocate 25% of the funds to thematic impact investments—including investments in companies that will be part of the required transition to cleaner energy sources and investments that support Indigenous economic development—and encourage better disclosure of carbon emissions and climate-related risks.
糖心视频 also became an investor signatory for the United Nations supported in 2020. Ongoing updates can be found within the annual responsible investment reports of 糖心视频’s Working Capital Investments.
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