Introduction

Procurement is defined as the process of acquisition for products or services. When we refer to procurement in the context of the environment, there are several factors to consider: nature of material (e.g. Is it recyclable? Is it made from recycled products?), quantity, need, longevity of use and full-cost analysis.

In general, Bates does an excellent job with departmental purchasing of recycled supplies. For instance, the Bookstore is a member of the Maine Buy Recycled Alliance, and continues to add recycled products to its line. All of the copy paper used on campus is made of 25 percent post-consumer content recycled paper. Communications and Media Relations also uses recycled paper in publications whenever possible.

Although we already employ many "green" purchasing strategies, the College has no standard procedure, written or otherwise understood, about purchasing recycled items that the College intends to use itself. For example, the College does not, as a matter of policy, emphasize the purchase of recycled products in its new buildings. Some proven components of successful procurement strategies may include one or more of the following: a committee, an implementor, testifiers, an intent statement, meeting with vendors and asking for sample products, choosing vendors where possible and appropriate that endorse the recycled market, designating a recycling coordinator and a purchasing agent, using recycled products for new expansions and renovations and a recycle manual.

The following section summarizes the current purchases practices at Bates College. The purchasing centers on campus were identified as follows: Bookstore, Office Services, Dining Services, Information Services, Library, Physical Plant, Athletics, Communications and Media Relations and the sciences.

A few major purchasers on campus have incorporated environmental concerns into policy, but the majority of purchasing agents indicate that they "consider" it. A few do not give any consideration to it. Even in this latter group, however, many have inadvertently succeeded in fairly "green" purchases. For instance, almost everyone buys in bulk when possible, thus reducing packaging and associated energy costs.

In general, the library, science departments and athletic offices do not specifically take the environment into consideration when making purchases. Nonetheless, some of the purchasing decisions in these departments happen to be environmentally sound. For instance, the athletic department tries to pass old equipment on to entities that are not required to abide by increasingly strict college standards. They also recirculate towels into rags once they are too worn for use as towels. Another key factor is that the detergents used to wash uniforms contain no phosphates, and the detergent containers are reused.

The Bookstore, Communications and Media Relations, Information Services, Dining Services, Physical Plant and Office Services are examples of purchasing agents who do consider environmental criteria when making purchasing decisions. The most notable examples, the Bookstore and Dining Services, explicitly include environmental criteria into their bid process.

The Bookstore is a campus leader in general environmental sensitivity. Many practices they employ clearly demonstrate this commitment to the environment. For instance, they order products made from recycled materials when available and cost sensible, (e.g. paper, folders, spiral notebooks, hats from recycled plastic bottles, assorted plastic goods, etc.). They try to combine shipments from vendors to save packaging. The Bookstore flyer, an annual production mailed to 15,000 alumni and parents, is printed on recycled paper and has been since its first distribution in 1989. Orders are shipped in re-used containers (all salvaged packaging such as Styrofoam, paper, bubble wrap is reused in shipping). Hundreds of cartons of textbooks are returned each year in reused cardboard boxes. They have increased the used book business, recycling textbooks, one might call it. Their goal is to have 25 percent of the total text purchases be used/recycled books.

Dining Services has an extensive list of purchasing categories. Significant green initiatives are in place in many of these areas, and they deserve mention here. Dining Services buys organic meats for the harvest meal and organic vegetables when they are locally in season. They purchase bulk dry goods and package and organize them to insure recycling. They purchase from organic yogurt producers and have set up a system for recycling the containers when possible (which go back to the producer). They no longer use paper cups when baking muffins, and they purchase unbleached napkins. They have radically reduced their use of paper (four trees saved each year). Finally, they have made some environmentally beneficial changes in the wash room that have reduced detergent use and hot water by some 10,000 gallons.

Although Office Services has no standard policy that includes environmental criteria, all the copy paper purchased and used by them is 25 percent post-consumer content recycled paper. Most print jobs done by Mailing Services use recycled paper unless otherwise specified.

The Office of Communications and Media Relations also almost always specifies recycled paper. Only in an exceptional circumstance (e.g. where a museum quality acid-free paper is required) would they not. Fortunately, the print industry has responded to market demands, and almost all paper has some recycled content while most premium paper lines now have also a recycled version.

Information Services (IS) purchases all computing technology (hardware, software and supplies) for the College and personal purchase. They buy about $1.5 million of computer-related products each year. The hardware purchased by IS needs to be Energy Star compliant. This rating is given to energy efficient models. Additionally, all laser printer toner cartridges are returned to IS for recycling. Old or broken hardware devices are sent to a metal recycling vendor.

Physical Plant purchases a multitude of goods, from oil to light bulbs to heavy machinery. There are a number of issues that dictate purchasing decisions at Physical Plant, including access to the product, whether or not the product is U.S. made, as well as cost and quality of the product. The department tries to balance these variables in their approach. There is an effort to be sensitive to the environment, but no written policy is in place.

1. Each department will integrate the criteria outlined in the above-stated policy statement into its bid sheets.

2. As part of each department's annual report, an addendum will be sent to the environmental coordinator listing all recycled products used.

3. Purchasing agents, with the assistance of the environmental coordinator, will continue to research suppliers of recycled products.

4. The environmental coordinator will participate on planning committees and review all building plans.

5. Develop a 3-5 year plan with Physical Plant to integrate green purchasing practices that are consistent with budgetary constraints and the criteria noted above. Begin by focusing on special summer projects.

6. Restructure the office purchase order form to include a section of available recycled products in order to encourage their use.