Procurement

The products we consume on a daily basis – in our homes and in our workplaces - have a major impact on the environment. We need to begin considering the entire life-cycle of every product we use.

The life-cycle refers to the resources it is made of, those used in its production, the energy used in transporting the product to its user, how the product is used, and finally, how it is disposed of after it is no longer useful.

Dalhousie purchases some items through a joint university and colleges purchasing cooperative InterUniversity Services Inc (ISI). ISI incorporates sustainability criteria in purchasing. This is guided by their Sustainability Policy. Dalhousie and other universities and colleges in Atlantic Canada participate in the ISI sustainability committee which discusses and educates each other on topics such as sustainable purchasing. 

The University has the opportunity to purchase through Nova Scotia government tenders as part of the municipalities, academia, schools, and hospital sector (MASH). The Nova Scotia government has passed a Sustainability Policy and criteria in purchasing regulations.

In Dalhousie’s Purchasing Policy sustainability criteria are outlined as guidance for university purchasers. Sustainability criteria is added and evaluated for individual Request for Proposals and Tender documents. A Sustainability Purchasing Checklist [PDF - 100KB] can be used by individual purchasers using purchasing cards to guide purchasing decisions. Sustainable purchasing lunch & learns, workshops, and lectures are provided as a part of the ongoing educational programming efforts.

ENERGY STAR Participant

Dalhousie is an ENERGY STAR Participant. The ENERGY STAR symbol helps consumers identify major appliances and other energy-using equipment that save energy. ENERGY STAR identifies products as the top high efficiency performer in their category. As an ENERGY STAR Partner, Dalhousie will promote the ENERGY STAR program and products on campus.