Resources

Resources [1]

For questions about CU’s sustainable purchasing program, contact the Senior Director of Procurement and Sourcing, Cristal Swain [2].

To learn more campus specific sustainability information, visit their webpage.

The additional resources on the right-hand side of the page are organizations or tools that support sustainable procurement work.

The table below is a sustainable purchasing framework to guide thought on different strategies to addressing purchasing behaviors.

Strategy	Description	Example
Behavior Change	Implement programs to shift attitudes and practices	Voluntary "green office" competitions to reduce energy and material consumption, while increasing recycling
Combining Actions	Combine multiple actions into a single ROI project	An energy efficient project is combined with a solar installation project. Energy savings offset the solar costs for a good ROI
Efficiency	Reducing impact through reduced use	Implementing procure-to-pay IT system reduces impacts associated with printing paper documents
In-source	In-source a function to better reduce impacts	Hiring LEED expertise in-house to optimize and streamline green building across campuses
Offsetting	Pay for an impact reduction to offset impacts elsewhere	Buying carbon offsets for University travel to pay for other efficiency improvement/emissions reduction programs on the campuses
Out-source	Out-source when an external party can better reduce impacts	Contract out utility bill management to firms that leverage energy markey expertise to cut energy and carbon costs
Process Change	"Design the impact out" of a process	Air pollution from medical waste incineration is reduced by switching to reusable surgical tools that are steam sterilized
Product Substitution	Choose a different product with lower impacts	Chemical costs and workers compensation insurance premiums reduced by switching to green cleaning products
Servicizing	Lease rather than buy to align incentives	Lease carpet so that it is returned to the manufacturer for full recycling
Supplier Engagement	Engage and hold accountable suppliers with regard to a specific impact	Work with strategic suppliers to improve sustainability efforts and lower impacts through partnership activities
Supplier Substitution	Choose a supplier with lower impacts	Making evidence of bribery or extortion automatic grounds for suspension of business with a supplier