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Sustainable Procurement and Purchasing Policy

Policy adopted in: 2020

Policy updated in: 2023

Application: Applicable to all the stakeholders

Purpose:

Galgotias University is committed to environmental and social responsibility. We recognize that our purchasing decisions have a significant impact, and we are dedicated to incorporating sustainability principles throughout our procurement process. This policy outlines our commitment to sustainable procurement and purchasing practices, aligning with India's growing focus on sustainable development.

Policy

The University strives to:

Minimize environmental impact: We prioritize the purchase of products and services that:

  • Reduce energy and resource consumption throughout their lifecycle (production, transportation, use, disposal).
  • Are made from recycled or renewable materials whenever possible.
  • Are water-efficient.
  • Minimize pollution and waste generation.

Support ethical and social responsibility: We consider the social and ethical practices of our suppliers, favoring those who:

  • Uphold fair labor practices, including fair wages and safe working conditions.
  • Do not engage in child labor or other exploitative practices.
  • Are committed to diversity and inclusion.
  • Support local businesses and communities whenever possible, considering the viability and competitiveness of local options.

Implementation

  • Evaluation Criteria:In addition to price and quality, sustainability factors are integrated into the evaluation criteria for all procurement decisions. This may involve considering factors like:
    • Lifecycle costing (considering the total cost of ownership, including environmental and social impacts).
    • Environmental certifications (e.g., Energy Star, Bureau of Energy Efficiency (BEE) star ratings for appliances in India).
    • Supplier codes of conduct and sustainability practices.
    • Local sourcing opportunities, considering the feasibility and economic viability of local suppliers while maintaining quality standards.
  • Communication and Training:The University provides training to staff involved in the procurement process to ensure they understand and implement this policy effectively. This training addresses:
    • Identifying and evaluating sustainable products and services.
    • Navigating supplier certifications and sustainability practices.
    • Integrating lifecycle costing into decision-making.
  • Monitoring and Reporting:The University monitors its progress towards achieving its sustainable procurement goals and report on its performance regularly. This report can be made publicly available to demonstrate transparency and accountability.

Specific Actions

  • Paper and Printing:We prioritize the use of recycled content paper with a high percentage (e.g., 70% or more) and double-sided printing. We make use of electronic documents and cloud-based storage solutions to reduce paper consumption.
  • Electronics:We purchase energy-efficient electronics with certifications like Energy Star and BEE star ratings. We also have responsible e-waste disposal practices in accordance with the E-waste (Management) Rules, 2016, to ensure environmentally sound recycling.
  • Furniture and Supplies:We prioritize durable, energy-efficient furniture made from recycled materials whenever possible. We ensure reusable or recyclable supplies whenever possible, considering practicality and cost-effectiveness.
  • Cleaning and Janitorial Products:We prioritize environmentally friendly cleaning products with low toxicity and biodegradability, complying with India's growing focus on eco-friendly cleaning solutions.
  • Construction and Renovation:We consider sustainable building materials with low embodied energy (e.g., recycled steel, fly ash bricks) and practices during construction and renovation projects, following green building certification guidelines like Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) or Indian Green Building Council (IGBC) standards where applicable.
  • Transportation:We explore sustainable transportation options for university operations, such as electric vehicles or supporting public transportation use. We have developed infrastructure for electric vehicle charging on campus, considering the evolving electric vehicle landscape in India.

The University established a Sustainable Procurement Committee to oversee the implementation of this policy, recommend further actions, and stay updated on evolving best practices and regulations in India.