Sustainability

Composting and Waste

Disposable waste is an inevitable consequence of food service to allow for flexibility and convenience.  Meeting the challenges of handling this waste responsibly is a key focus for dining operations on our campus.  Chartwells has worked to provide disposable options that are made from more sustainable sources and inform customers of proper recycling guidelines.  Please look at some of the efforts done in this area below and explore projects being considered to further this effort.

Disposable Containers and Dining Accessories

  • for hot beverages and soup

    • The containers are made from renewable materials rather than plastics.

    • The paper used is harvested in accordance with the National Sustainable Forestry Initiative.

    • The protective lining is plant-based so containers can be composted.

  • All straws and salad bowls used in Drumlin Market & Prairie Street Market are made from sugar-based PLA plastic.

  • Napkins used are a "natural" color that contain 30% post-consumer fiber and come on "napkin rolls", which have been shown to reduce waste.

Composting 

  • A grant has been applied for to implement a trial composting program for coffee grounds with a biofuel research component.

Recycling