We have a corporate Sustainable purchasing policy. With the policy came this note:
"LEED-EB version 3 requires Green Purchasing to include office supplies, stationary and other products as part of the Green Purchasing Policy which are not under the control of Global Facilities Services. As such, for purposes of this manual, Our Facility will remain under the version 2 Green Purchasing Policy adopted in December 2009 revised to include all facilities that control procurement of building maintenance supplies. While this existing policy does not conform to the version 3 requirements it is felt that the version 2 policy better reflects the products that Global Facilities Services has procurement authority over. For the purposes of the Global Facilities Services Sustainability Program, only products and materials purchased directly by building management shall be considered to determine compliance with this policy. Purchasing of general office supplies and computer equipment, etc. not purchased directly by building management staff are covered by policies within Corporate Sourcing and Technology Services. These other entities must be contacted for input whenever a PUCC listed property applies for LEED-EB certification. Cleaning supplies and paper products used in the housekeeping operation are excluded, since they are accounted for in the Green Cleaning Policy and Procedures."
My question is that since we do not have control over some aspects of the requirement do we still have to state this in our policy eventhough we have no control? If yes would a new policy have to be made?
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Trista Brown
Project DirectorWSP USA
456 thumbs up
November 30, 2015 - 2:47 pm
Hi David, apologies that this response is so delayed. I’m guessing that you’ve already sorted this issue out - what did you ultimately decide to do and what was the reviewer's response?
nancy picard
4 thumbs up
April 26, 2016 - 2:13 pm
Hi Trista, I would like to know if you've had any input on this question since November. I have a similar, yet worse situation! A health related center (public institution) is in the obligation to obtain LEED EB:OM certification (Canada). However, they have no control over most of their purchases, which pass through a centralized group. And the policy for that group is, bottom line, lowest cost. It does not include ecological considerations. Do you know if an exemption ever been granted for MRpr1? Also, given the nature of the activities, they might not be unable to comply to QEIpr3 neither with respect to the 30% purchase of green certified cleaning products. Any and all suggestions and examples from similar situations would be greatly appreciated!
Trista Brown
Project DirectorWSP USA
456 thumbs up
April 26, 2016 - 2:27 pm
Hi Nancy, the prerequisite policies are more about documenting goals/aspirations and creating a written resource that houses the various sustainability criteria. Since there's no requirement to actually track or document purchases for the prerequisites, you can include the minimum thresholds in the policy regardless of whether the property can meet them. I've never seen an exemption for these prerequisites, since you only have to meet the thresholds if you attempt the related credits (e.g. MRc1 or IEQc3.3). Hope this helps!
nancy picard
4 thumbs up
April 26, 2016 - 3:01 pm
Thank you, it does help. I guess it felt odd and wrong writing goals which we knew to be unachievable. But I understand the desired angle and will document accordingly!