Procedure 5.15.1 - Sustainable Purchasing - UNDER REVIEW

Part 1: Purpose

Lake Superior College (LSC) is committed to integrating environmental, social, and economic sustainability into all purchasing decisions. This procedure establishes a framework for selecting goods and services that minimize negative environmental impacts, support ethical practices, and contribute to long-term institutional sustainability goals.
This policy applies to all purchasing activities across LSC, including goods, services, and construction projects, whether acquired directly or through contracts and vendors.

Part 2: Definitions

Subpart A: Environmentally Preferable Products (EPP):

Products or services that have a lesser or reduced effect on human health and the environment compared to competing products or services. Factors considered include sourcing, production, packaging, transportation, use, reuse, recycling, and disposal.

Subpart B: Sustainable Purchasing:

The acquisition of goods and services that generate environmental, social, and economic value over their life cycle, while minimizing adverse impacts. Sustainable purchasing considers cost-effectiveness, product performance, regulatory requirements, supplier diversity, and environmental footprint.

Subpart C: Life Cycle Cost:

The total cost of ownership over the product’s useful life—including acquisition, installation, operation, maintenance, energy consumption, and disposal. Evaluating life cycle cost helps identify long-term value and sustainability.

Subpart D: Circular Economy:

An approach that emphasizes reducing waste and maximizing resource efficiency by reusing, repairing, refurbishing, and recycling products and materials. The goal is to keep materials in use for as long as possible and support systems that regenerate natural resources.

Part 3: Responsibility

It is the responsibility of each cost center manager to implement sustainable purchasing within their area of authority. All purchasers must:

1. Evaluate the life cycle cost and environmental impact of products before purchase.
2. Prioritize vendors and products demonstrating sustainability certifications or practices.
3. Avoid unnecessary consumption by reusing, repairing, or refurbishing existing resources when feasible.
4. If needed, consult with the LSC Sustainability Committee for guidance on product comparisons, life cycle assessments, or emerging sustainable alternatives.

This procedure applies to the acquisition of new materials and equipment. It does not mandate the replacement of existing, functional items solely for sustainability purposes. However, when a more energy-efficient alternative demonstrates a payback period of three years or less, early replacement may be justified and encouraged. Purchasing decisions shall comply with MN Statute 16C.0725 on recycled materials, which requires preference for recycled content when feasible and cost-effective (within 10% price variance).

Part 4: Guiding Principles

The following “Guiding Principles,” are adapted from the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s Environmentally Preferable Purchasing (EPP) Program and aligned with Minnesota State Board Policy 5.17 on Purchasing and LSC’s sustainability goals:

1. Integration of Environment, Price and Performance: Environmental considerations should become part of normal purchasing practice, consistent with such traditional factors as product safety, price, performance, and availability.
2. Pollution Prevention: Sustainable purchasing emphasizes waste reduction, energy efficiency, and pollution prevention at all stages – from production to disposal.
3. Life Cycle and Multiple Attribute Evaluation: Purchases should be evaluated based on multiple environmental and social attributes, not just a single label or claim.
4. Transparency and Information Accuracy: Require verifiable environmental performance information and certification from vendors.
5. Ethical and Social Responsibility: Give preference to suppliers who demonstrate fair labor practices, supply chain transparency, and community engagement.

Part 5: Guidelines

LSC, where possible, will procure environmentally preferable products by considering short and long-term implications and costs, life cycle costs, and maintenance costs.

Subpart A: General Practices

1. Purchase durable, repairable, and reusable products to single-use items.
2. Minimize packaging and request recyclable or compostable materials.
3. Prioritize local or regional suppliers to reduce transportation emissions and support the local economy.
4. Replace bottled water at events with refillable water stations or biodegradable cups.
5. Transition to digital forms, records, and communications where practical to reduce paper use.

Subpart B: Paper and Office Supplies

1. When feasible, purchase products of at least 30% post-consumer recycled content.
2. Use FSC-certified or equivalent sustainably sourced paper products.
3. Encourage double-sided printing and shared printers to minimize waste.

Subpart C: Building Facilities and Furniture

1. Design and construct new buildings and structures LEED Silver or Minnesota B3 Sustainable Building Guidelines.
2. Specify low-VOC paints, adhesives, and finishes.
3. Use recycled, rapidly renewable, or responsibly harvested materials.
4. Choose Energy Star or WaterSense-certified appliances and fixtures.
5. Replace cleaning and maintenance products with safer, environmentally preferable alternatives that minimize health risks and environmental impact.

Subpart D: Appliances and Electronics

1. Specify ENERGY STAR, EPEAT, or equivalent certified electronics and appliances.
2. Utilize centralized or share printing and scanning devices where possible.
3. Purchase soy-based inks where feasible.
4. Recycle or donate obsolete electronics through certified e-waste recyclers.

Subpart E: Food Service and Events

1. Eliminate single-use plastics and prohibit Styrofoam.
2. Procure locally grown, fair-trade, and seasonal food when financially feasible.
3. Choose compostable or reusable serviceware.
4. Encourage sustainable catering practices, such as waste sorting and leftover donation.

Subpart F: Donations

1. Consider life cycle cost, including installation, maintenance, storage, and disposal.
2. Consider the impact of accepting materials on existing waste streams, the potential creation of new waste streams, and how acceptance may affect the campus’s waste generator size designation, as well as future maintenance or disposal costs.
3. Hazardous waste prohibition: Materials defined as hazardous, universal, or infectious/biological waste shall not be accepted as donations or gifts for any purpose.
4. Expired or Unsafe Products: Expired, outdated, or otherwise unsafe materials—including but not limited to medical, laboratory, or chemical products—shall not be accepted under any circumstances.

Subpart G: Vendors and Contractors

1. Preference will be given to vendors demonstrating environmental stewardship, fair labor practices, and social responsibility.

Part 5: Reference Statute

1. Board Policy 5.17
2. Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change
3. Minnesota Statue Chapter 16B.325, Sustainable Building Guidelines
4. Minnesota Statute 16C.0725, Purchase of Recycled, Repairable, & Durable Materials
5. EPA Greener Products

History

Date Implemented: August 6, 2015

Date Reviewed/Revised: December 17, 2025

Note from January 2026: As of last review, the sustainability committee had not been reconstituted. Once committee is in place, Policy 5.15 and Procedure 5.15.1 Sustainable Purchasing should be reviewed again.

 

President's Signature Date: February 9, 2026