Section 1: Policy Scope 

This policy applies to the sustainable purchasing at Kuwait University’s site located at Sabah Al Ahmad University City; and that are within the buildings and site management’s control.

This policy applies to sustainable purchasing of the following types of products:

• Ongoing Consumables.
• Durable goods
• Mercury-containing lamps

Food and beverages are not included in the scope of this policy.       

 

Section 2: Policy Goals  

 

To purchase ongoing consumables in a manner that will:

• Protect the environment and public health
• Conserve natural resources
• Minimize waste, including landfilling and incineration, and reduce toxicity   

 

Section 3: Performance Metric  

Sustainable Purchasing of Ongoing Consumables

The term “ongoing consumables” refers to low-cost-per-unit materials that are regularly used and replaced through the course of daily business operations. These products may include but are not limited to printing and copying paper, notebooks, envelopes, business cards, sticky notes, paper clips, toner cartridges, and batteries.

Kuwait University’s goal is that at least <40%> of the cost of goods purchased will comply with one or more of the following criteria:

• Contains at least 10% post-consumer and/or 20% post-industrial material
• Contains at least 30% rapidly renewable material (e.g., bamboo, cotton, cork, wool)
• Consists of at least 30% Forest Stewardship Council (FSC)-certified paper products
• Rechargeable batteries

Kuwait University acknowledges the value of purchasing sustainable products and requires that vendor(s) support that effort when appropriate and/or possible. Kuwait University requests that vendor(s) notify them of recycled content and reduced packaging options or alternative products that would comply with the above specifications. Nothing contained in this policy shall be construed as requiring Kuwait University to procure products that do not perform adequately for their intended use, exclude adequate competition, or are not available at a reasonable price in a reasonable period.     

 

Sustainable Purchasing of Durable Goods    

 

The term “durable goods” refers to higher-cost-per-unit materials that are replaced infrequently and/or may require capital outlays to purchase. These products may include but are not limited to office equipment (such as computers, monitors, printers, copiers, fax machines), appliances (refrigerators, dishwashers, water coolers), external power adaptors, televisions, and furniture. The purchasing criteria for these products fall into the following two categories.

Electronics and Appliances

Kuwait University’s goal is that at least 40% of the cost of goods purchased will comply with one or more of the following criteria:

• Energy Star labeled products, when available
• Electronic Product Environmental Assessment Tools (EPEAT) rated products (at least bronze level)
• The equipment replaces conventional gas-powered equipment, i.e., maintenance equipment and vehicles

Furniture

Kuwait University’s goal is that at least 40% of the cost of goods purchased will comply with one or more of the following criteria:

• Contains at least 10% post-consumer and/or 20% post-industrial material
• Contains at least 70% salvaged material from off-site or outside the organization
• Contains at least 70% salvaged material from on-site through an internal materials and equipment reuse program 
• Contains at least 50% rapidly renewable material (bamboo, cotton, cork, wool)
• Contains at least 50% materials harvested, extracted, and processed within 500 miles of the facility/site
• Consists of at least 50% Forest Stewardship Council (FSC) certified wood      

 

Kuwait University acknowledges the value of purchasing sustainable products and requires that vendor(s) support that effort when appropriate and/or possible. Kuwait University requests that vendor(s) notify them of Energy Star and sustainable furniture opportunities that would comply with the above specifications, as well as reduced packaging options.         

 

Sustainable Purchasing: Toxic Material Source Reduction – Reduced Mercury in Lamps    

 

Kuwait University seeks to reduce the amount of mercury brought into all sites through purchase of lamps for the buildings and associated grounds. Kuwait University’s goal is that at least 90% of the number of lamps purchased will meet the following overall mercury-content target:

• No more than 70 picograms of mercury per lumen-hour  

Kuwait University representatives acknowledge the value of purchasing low-mercury lamps and require that vendors support that effort when appropriate and/or possible. Kuwait University requests that vendor(s) notify them of specific lamps and other opportunities that would comply with the above specifications, as well as reduced packaging options.    

 

Section 4: Performance Evaluation  

Kuwait University and/or vendor will record and track purchases monthly. Kuwait University personnel and/or vendor responsible for purchasing will report Kuwait University’s purchases to the appropriate KU representative using the provided Materials Purchasing Worksheet. Vendor is required to track and report Kuwait University’s purchases monthly. Vendor will use KU Materials Purchasing Worksheet, or a KU approved alternative reporting method. Vendor is prepared to report how each product purchase meets the following purchasing criteria. Whenever possible, Kuwait University’s personnel should include an evaluation of the environmental and public health benefits achieved through sustainable purchasing of the goods described under Section (3).   

Section 5: Responsible Party

The Purchasing Department Director shall implement this policy within Sabah A Ahmad University city in coordination with other appropriate organization personnel, including but not limited to, Kuwait University’s Purchasing Officer, KU employees, parties purchasing materials on the university’s behalf and/or companies contracted to provide goods to the university.  

Contact Information for Responsible Party:
Name:
Job Title:	Purchasing Department Director
Phone:
Email:
Date of assignment:

    

 

Section 6: Procedures and Strategies  

This policy covers purchases that are within the building and site management’s control. Kuwait University’s personnel may use any qualifying vendor to procure the products described in Section (3), and are encouraged to also consider the following areas of interest:

Packaging

Kuwait University desires to reduce waste generated through daily operations and recognizes that such reduction begins with the material that enters each facility/site. The Purchasing Department will request that all items purchased be packaged and delivered with minimal packaging material. The Purchasing Department reserves the right to request that vendors alter the packaging of goods delivered, when appropriate and/or possible.

Recycled Content

Kuwait University requests that all vendors provide recycled content options for goods when available. If a product is available with recycled content, vendor will disclose that option to the appropriate KU representative. Recycled content targets may be overridden at the discretion of KU representatives if certain products with recycled content present themselves as cost prohibitive.        

 

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Note: Policy under review in preparation for required official approvals.