Sustainability on Campus

Environmental Stewardship
Preserving our Communities for Future Generations

ARAMARK is committed to applying meaningful sustainability practices to how we develop and deliver our programs and services to the Andover community. Sustainability, as defined by the United Nations, World Commission on Economic Development, is "the ability to meet the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs".

Our dining program in partnership with Phillips Academy, currently incorporates four sustainability practices into our daily services and systems. They are:

Support Local Farmers & Businesses
In January of 2008 we partnered with High Lawn Farms located in Lee, Massachusetts. High Lawn Farms is dedicated to providing the best quality, freshest Jersey milk and dairy products available anywhere. High Lawn is continually working to heighten consumer awareness of the advantages of Jersey milk from the standpoint of nutritional value-higher protein and calcium, without the use of artificial hormones.We also feature locally grown corn, eggplant, pea pods, green cabbage, kale, McIntosh apples, pumpkins, and butternut squash that were harvested from nearby Massachusetts and New Hampshire farms.

We are now in the process of building upon our partnerships with local growers and purveyors so that in the future we may offer an expanded selection of locally grown produce and dairy products in Paresky. Some recent additions include Cronin's Ice Cream, Shaheen Brothers and Dole & Bailey.

Feature Organic and Locally Grown Foods
Our "Farmers Market" features an abundance of organic and local products.  Strawberry and grape jam, peanut butter, white bread, whole grain bread, granola, flavored yogurts, salad dressings,fresh fruits, Cabot Cheddar cheese and weekly specials using local and organic produce.

Waste Management & Recycling
Dining Services is constantly focused on implementing systems and services that will reduce waste.

We encourage community members to “Take What You Want, but Eat What You Take”.

Composting at Paresky!

 Where Does It Go When You Throw It Away?

Did you know…

 The ARAMARK Staff is sorting what you put on the belt!

Do you know what gets…

 …chopped dehydrated and trucked to Brink Ends Farm Composite Site?

Food waste (skins, peels, bones, rinds, food waste) also known as ORT, napkins and paper cups

 ...trucked to the Wheelebrator Trash Incinerator in North Andover?

Plastic wrappers, wrap and bags, plastic utensils and any trash that isn’t food and can’t be recycled

 ...trucked to Integrated Paper Recyclers in North Andover?

Plastic bottles, metal cans and cardboard boxes

 ...washed in the Paresky dishwashers?

Reusable plates, bowls, mugs, cups and metal silverware

ARAMARK also utilizes a food production system called “PRIMA” that assists us in maintaining accurate production records which allows us to build consumption history.

In Paresky, we use unbleached paper napkins that are biodegradable and all of our cardboard boxes and plastics from the products we serve are compacted and recycled. It is estimated that we recycle over 1,000 lbs. of cardboard during each academic and summer session week.

We work in partnership with students to recycle the paper, plastics and cans!

We are also happy to report we are now in the process of implementing a campus-wide catering recycling program!!

Energy Conservation
By asking the students to go "Trayless" we are diverting thousands of pounds of food and packaging waste each year. Also, we save precious energy and water by not having to wash as many trays.Throughout each day, all employees also practice energy savings by turning off food service equipment, lights, and computers whenever possible.

We have developed and implemented a long-term environmental stewardship program and policy within the areas of procuring and providing sustainable food; waste stream reduction management; energy and water conservation.We call these programs and policies “Green Thread” as they weave throughout our business operations every day!
 - Paul Robarge,Senior Food Service Director

Green Chemicals
Click here to view information about our Environmentally Responsible Cleaning Products!