The university works to increase access to more environmentally friendly alternatives of commonly used supplies.
University Purchasing in the Office of Business and Finance continuously integrates environmental, social and economic goals into its business processes. Stores is committed to inclusion of environmentally friendly products and supplier diversity in preferred supplier contracts and works with university departments to increase visibility of these agreements. By leveraging the university’s buying power, Purchasing is able to acquire many products with more environmentally friendly alternatives. University departments can browse preferred supplier agreements in Buckeye Buy and look for the “green” label.
Current goal achievement and initiatives
- The Wexner Medical Center has developed sustainable procurement guidelines and in 2021, 75% of spending through the medical center’s group purchasing organization had at least one environmental attribute (such as a product containing Forest Stewardship Council certified wood).
- The Surplus Department is responsible for the disposition of Ohio State property in accordance with university policy. Efforts are made to sell or recycle all surplus items whenever possible. The department offers the university community services including a warehouse for department transfer, public sale and public auction as alternatives to discarding items such as office and classroom furniture and equipment.