{"id":4742,"date":"2025-06-13T09:45:59","date_gmt":"2025-06-13T13:45:59","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/p2p\/?page_id=4742"},"modified":"2025-07-21T08:20:09","modified_gmt":"2025-07-21T12:20:09","slug":"sustainable-purchasing","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/p2p\/sustainable-purchasing\/","title":{"rendered":"Sustainable Purchasing"},"content":{"rendered":"
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Boston University strives to be an industry leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving Zero Waste, as outlined in\u00a0Boston University\u2019s Climate Action Plan<\/a> and\u00a0Zero Waste Plan<\/a>, by embracing best practices for\u00a0sustainable sourcing and procurement of goods and services<\/strong>.
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\nFor 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 \u201cmore energy can be saved, and global warming impacts decreased, by\u00a0reducing waste, reusing products, recycling and composting<\/strong>\u00a0than can be produced from burning discards or recovering landfill gases.\u201d
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\nThe 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\u00a0prioritize reduction of product purchases<\/strong>\u00a0overall; then,\u00a0consider used and surplus goods<\/strong>\u00a0before considering new goods. BU aims to\u00a0avoid single-use products and packaging, buy remanufactured or durable goods, and lease\/share equipment<\/strong>.
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\nThe University defines\u00a0sustainable goods and services<\/strong>\u00a0as those which\u00a0deliver value\u00a0(quality and cost) to BU, and for the environment and society<\/strong>. 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\u2019s purchasing decisions. BU will source goods and services from strategic suppliers that are aligned with these goals.
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\nThe 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.<\/p>\n

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\"SlidesFULL GUIDELINES FOR THE SUSTAINABLE PURCHASING PROGRAM →<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
CATEGORY<\/th>\nRECOGNIZED CERTIFICATES AND STANDARDS<\/th>\nREQUIRED MINIMUM<\/th>\nPREFERRED STANDARD<\/th>\nEXAMPLE PRODUCTS<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n
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Commercial Print<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

GreenSeal<\/a><\/p>\n

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Environmental Paper Network<\/a><\/p>\n

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Conservatree<\/a><\/p>\n

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Sustainable Green Printing Partnership<\/a><\/p>\n

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EcoLogo<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Green alternatives, such as chemicals reduction, soy-based inks, recycled content paper, and alternatives to foam project boards<\/p>\n

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Green alternatives, such as chemicals reduction, soy-based inks, recycled content paper, and alternatives to foam project boards<\/p>\n

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Minimal Styrofoam<\/p>\n

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Maximum recycling of materials used in printing process<\/p>\n

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Use of alternative energy sources<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Large volume print orders, magazines, brochures<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
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Stationery<\/strong><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

GreenSeal<\/a><\/p>\n

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Environmental Paper Network<\/a><\/p>\n

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Conservatree<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

100% Post-Consumer Recycled Content or<\/p>\n

Agricultural residue content<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

100% Post-Consumer Recycled Content or Agricultural residue content<\/td>\nNotepads, envelopes, business cards<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Office Furniture<\/strong><\/td>\nCarpet and Rug Institute Green Label Plus<\/a><\/p>\n

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Forest Stewardship Council<\/a><\/p>\n

Greenguard<\/a><\/p>\n

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Scientific Certification Systems (SCS) Indoor Advantage<\/a><\/p>\n

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Rainforest Alliance<\/a><\/p>\n

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BIFMA Level<\/a><\/p>\n

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Cradle to Cradle<\/a><\/p>\n

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GOTS<\/a><\/p>\n

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Standard 100 by Oeko-Tex<\/a><\/p>\n

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STeP Oeko-Tex<\/a><\/p>\n

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Health Product Declaration<\/a><\/p>\n

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Declare Label<\/a><\/p>\n

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Facts Certification<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

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<\/td>\nPurchased with consideration to toxins and waste minimization and durability; without added flame retardants, recycled content and\/or organic materials,<\/u> and one of the following certifications: <\/u><\/p>\n

GreenGuard Gold or BIFMA Level<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Task chairs, desks, tables<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Office\/Copy Paper<\/strong><\/td>\nFSC Recycled<\/a><\/p>\n

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Post-consumer recycled content (PCRC)<\/p>\n

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Processed Chlorine Free (PCF)<\/p>\n

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Green Seal (GS-07)<\/a><\/p>\n

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Environmental Paper Network<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

100% Post-Consumer Recycled Content or Agricultural residue content<\/p>\n

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100% Post-Consumer Recycled Content or Agricultural residue content<\/p>\n

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Copy paper<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Office and Breakroom Supplies<\/strong><\/td>\nGreenSeal<\/a><\/p>\n

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Post-consumer recycled content (PCRC)<\/p>\n

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Non-antimicrobial<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Recycled content and end of life recyclability<\/td>\nRecycled content and end of life recyclability<\/td>\nBinders, clips, folders, writing utensils<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Promotional Products<\/strong><\/td>\nGreenSeal<\/a><\/p>\n

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Fair Trade<\/a><\/p>\n

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B-Corp Certified<\/a><\/p>\n

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Global Organic Textile Standard<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

 Purchased with consideration to durability, recyclability, reusability, and minimal packaging<\/p>\n

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No sweat shop labor\/sound labor practices<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

 Purchased with consideration to durability, recyclability, reusability, and minimal packaging<\/p>\n

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No sweat shop labor\/sound labor practices<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

T-shirts, drinkware, apparel<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Air Travel<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\nBook all University travel through Concur & Christopherson Business Travel<\/td>\nBook all University travel through Concur & Christopherson Business Travel<\/td>\nFlights<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Transportation Products<\/strong><\/td>\n<\/td>\nContain the highest post-consumer recycled content practical<\/td>\nContain the highest post-consumer recycled content practical<\/td>\nSigns, cones, parking stops, delineators, channelizers, and barricades<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vehicles<\/strong><\/td>\nUL safety certifications<\/a><\/p>\n

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Hybrid, plug-in hybrid<\/td>\nBattery electric<\/td>\nSedan\/SUV, pickup truck, passenger van, cargo van<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
EV Charging Stations<\/strong><\/td>\nEnergy STAR<\/a><\/td>\nNetworked charging station with data tracking services, in alignment with Massachusetts and Eversource standards<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Electronics & IT Hardware<\/strong><\/td>\nElectronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT)<\/a><\/p>\n

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Energy STAR<\/a><\/p>\n

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Scientific Certification Systems (SCS)<\/a>)<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT)<\/a> criteria designated as \u201cBronze\u201d<\/td>\nElectronic Product Environmental Assessment Tool (EPEAT)<\/a> criteria designated as \u201cGold\u201d and Energy STAR<\/td>\nComputers, monitors, printers, copiers, servers, televisions<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Toner<\/strong><\/td>\nEcoLogo<\/a><\/td>\nUse high-capacity cartridges<\/td>\nUse high-capacity and remanufactured cartridges<\/td>\n<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Laboratory Supplies<\/strong><\/td>\nThermoFisher Green Leaf Label<\/a><\/p>\n

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ACT Label<\/a><\/p>\n

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LabConscious Endorsement<\/a><\/p>\n

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ACS Solvent Selection Tool<\/a><\/p>\n

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OSHA Green Chemicals Guidelines<\/a><\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Purchased with consideration to toxins and waste minimization, durability, recyclability, and reusability<\/td>\nPurchased with consideration to toxins and waste minimization, durability,  recyclability and reusability<\/td>\nChemicals absent from the TURA hazardous chemicals list and glassware, gloves, chemicals\/reagents<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Laboratory Equipment and Appliances<\/strong><\/td>\nEnergy STAR<\/a><\/p>\n

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ThermoFisher Green Leaf Label<\/a><\/p>\n

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ACT Label<\/a><\/p>\n

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LabConscious endorsement<\/a><\/p>\n

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High efficiency<\/td>\nHigh efficiency and<\/p>\n

Energy STAR Certification<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Fume hoods, biosafety cabinets, centrifuge, microscopes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lab Equipment, Freezers, & Furniture<\/strong><\/td>\nEnergy STAR<\/a><\/p>\n

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ThermoFisher Green Leaf Label<\/a><\/p>\n

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ACT Label<\/a><\/p>\n

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LabConscious endorsement<\/a><\/p>\n

 <\/p>\n<\/td>\n

High efficiency<\/td>\nHigh efficiency and<\/p>\n

Energy STAR Certification<\/p>\n<\/td>\n

Fume hoods, biosafety cabinets, centrifuge, microscopes<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n<\/section>\n<\/div>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Boston University strives to be an industry leader in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving […]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":24996,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":19,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"bu-landing","meta":[],"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/p2p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4742"}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/p2p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/p2p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/page"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/p2p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/24996"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/p2p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=4742"}],"version-history":[{"count":31,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/p2p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4742\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":8872,"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/p2p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/pages\/4742\/revisions\/8872"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.bu.edu\/p2p\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=4742"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}