Purchasing
The Office of Sustainability works on making guides and helpful tools for everyone on campus to use to purchase with sustainability in mind. There are a few different businesses that we rely on for this as well.
Purchasing at Champlain College
Purchasing is a large topic within sustainability, and we are continually working on ways to purchase with sustainability and ethics in mind. We work directly with operations managers, WB Mason, and other campus affiliates to make sustainable options available and affordable.
An ongoing conversation around sustainable purchasing is for Champlain College swag. If you attend an Admitted Student Day event or any other large scale event on campus, you will likely see fun giveaways and raffle prizes. We are making sure we are staying conscious of the impact associated with what we give away while still making branded goodies available.
Another purchasing project is reducing, or even eliminating, the use of balloons on campus. Helium is going through a shortage and is needed for life-saving medical devices like MRIs. Meanwhile, single-use balloons often find their way into waterways (like Lake Champlain) and end up in the stomachs of animals. To help with this, we are researching more sustainable decorating methods!
Sustainable Initiatives Fund
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The Champlain College Sustainable Initiatives Fund (SIF) is an investment fund that finances energy efficiency, renewable energy, and other sustainability projects on campus. The SIF will finance innovative projects that reduce the College’s environmental impact; improve the educational environment; and generate financial returns while engaging students, staff, faculty, and administrators in the decision-making and implementation process.
More About the Sustainable Initiatives Fund Propose a Project
Did you know?
Did you know that virgin paper emits roughly 30% more greenhouse gas than recycled pulp paper? That is why we encourage campus to purchase paper with recycled content!
Get Involved in Ecologically Mindful Purchasing
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Reduce WasteThere are lots of ways to reduce waste when purchasing items for yourself.
- Bring your own reusable bags when shopping.
- Purchase items that use minimal packaging and/or purchase in bulk.
- Purchase durable and reusable products rather than disposable single-use items.
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New to You
Shop at local second-hand and thrift stores. Buying second hand keeps items out of the landfill and conserves natural resources.
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Purchase Fair-Trade Products
Fair-trade certified products pay producers a fair price and promote strong social and environmental standards.
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BYO-Mug
Save trees and money. Many cafés offer discounts for using your own mug. Our Sodexo-run Starbucks offers a discount for bringing your own mug when you order!
Our Partners in Ecologically Mindful Purchasing
