See the full set of guidelines here: Environmental Purchasing Guidelines
"When purchasing a product or service, departments should evaluate environmentally preferable attributes equally along with quality, price and availability. It is further recommended that all purchases conducted by university employees for their department follow the same guidelines choosing products and services that provide the most environmental attributes. As with all purchasing decisions, however, these guidelines should not be executed at the expense of product performance, availability or reasonable cost."
In Fall 2020, Managed Print Services switched all its devices to default duplex printing. MPS also moved from 30 percent to 100 percent recycled paper, considerably reducing its environmental footprint (saving approximately 380 trees, 400 million BTUs of energy, 287,400 pounds of CO2 emissions and 343,000 gallons in water consumption each year). See MPS's print paper policy here.
94% of SU's grounds is managed in accordance with an organic program; 6% is inorganic allowing some synthetic fertilizer for natural turf soccer field. The shift to sustainable landscape practices began in 1979 with the implementation of an Integrated Pest Management (IPM) program. SU’s IPM program differs from many others in that chemical pesticide applications are not considered a viable last option. SU uses a combination of methods that focus on total plant health, particularly at the soil level, to maintain our grounds.
See SU's Ground Management policy here.
LED lights are used for all indoor lighting at SU unless an LED product is not available for a specific application or cannot meet our needs
The largest contribution to sustainability practiced by the Campus Store is the buying and selling of Used Books. One of every three books sold is a used book. Some textbooks are bought and sold and re-sold up to ten times. Ring binders sold in the Campus Store are made of recycled vinyl. Filler paper, spiral notebooks, index cards, and greeting cards are all made from recycled products. All store shopping bags are made from recycled materials and we offer re-useable recycled shopping bags as well. See the Campus Store's sustainability statement here.
See the full Policy here: Anti-Sweatshop Policy
"The issue of sweatshops with the related questions of basic human rights touches the university, not only as a theoretical object of teaching and research but also in its practical operations as a purchaser and consumer of apparel and sports products possibly manufactured in sweatshops anywhere in the world."
See the full Code of Conduct here: Vendor Code of Conduct
"Seattle University is committed to conducting its procurement business in an ethical, legal and socially responsible manner. Seattle University is also committed to promoting a positive and safe environment for vendors, and Seattle University students, staff, and faculty. Seattle University expects its suppliers to share this commitment and has established this Vendor Code of Conduct."
See the full Sustainability Statement by Information Technology Services here: Sustainability
"When selecting computers and other technology purchases for campus we consider sustainability, including Energy Star and EPEAT ratings. We also consider this when selecting our vendor partners. The Computer Refresh Program enables us to keep computers on campus up to date and recycle old technology. After a user has had their computer refreshed, the old computer is removed by a vendor so it can be sold/reused, recycled, or disposed of."
IT Services also receives old computer from SU members ensuring the devices will be recycled or reused. SU members with questions about this program, please contact servicedesk@seattleu.edu.
(*EPEAT is the definitive global registry for greener electronics. It is used as a resource for consumers to find or promote environmentally preferable products. Products that are EPEAT rated are between Bronze, Silver, and Gold.)
See the full set of Guidelines here: Guidelines for Green Cleaning.
"Seattle University shall select cleaning products that meet Green Seal certification requirements. SU is a member of CSHEMA (Campus Safety, Health and Environmental Management Association); this is a membership organization for enhancing health & safety and regulatory compliance within the higher education sector. SU is committed to building, and maintaining environmental health programs using the Small College and Universities Complete Environmental Health & Safety Program guidelines."
RFP’s for furniture and furnishings that go out to vendors state the following preferences:
Seattle University is committed to increasing the diversity of its suppliers to move toward a more sustainable, inclusive local economy.
It is the University's goal to:
Learn more about the Supplier Diversity program here.