Sustainability at Elon Dining

What is Elon Dining doing to preserve the earth? Composting- All back of the house food waste from McEwen, Colonnades, & Lakeside (opening Spring 2013) Dining Halls and front of the house waste from Octagon Cafe & Fountain Market is composted. Dining customers can help by using the trash bins at Octagon Cafe and Fountain Market identified for composting.  Food waste from these dining locations are sent to outside composting companies. During the 2011-2012 academic year, Dining Services composted 211,570 pounds of waste from all participating dining locations.  Click here for more information on composting. Reusable Take Out Containers- Take out is green at all Residential Dining Halls! The NSF certified eco-friendly containers are reusable, saving waste from landfills with every meal on the run. Purchase yours today for only $3.50!

Buying Locally- Elon Dining Services supports local farmers and the community. We have implemented a preferential purchasing system that identifies local produce items and the area from which it originated. We place preference on food grown within our area, state and then region of the country, in that order. Conventional produce from around the world will still be available when an item is not in season locally so you can continue to enjoy all of nature’s bounty. Produce that is locally grown is harvested closest to its peak for a fresher, more flavorful nutrient-filled result. Buying local conserves energy and allows us to contribute to local farms and the economy. Look for locally grown markers to taste the best flavors our area has to offer, celebrate the season selections, and support the local efforts of our community. We are also a member of the North Carolina 10% Campaign!

Recycling- Dining Services recycles plastic, paper, cardboard and aluminum.

Recycled Content Paper Cups- Using Bare cups by Solo supports our recycled content paper Green Stakes and are also two ounces bigger that the previously used eco-friendly cups,providing a greater value for our customers.

Aluminum Water Bottles- In an effort to offer a more sustainable water option, Dining Services introduced its filtered water program in 2008. In 2009, 123,888 plastic bottles were saved from landfills thanks to your efforts with this program. Aluminum water bottles may be purchased in select retail locations on campus.

Recycled Content Materials- Grab n' go products, such as cups, straws, and napkins and office paper have post-consumer fibers and support the environment.

Divert Fryer Oil- Dining Services recycles 100% of its used fryer oil from dining locations that can be used as biodiesel fuel. In the 2011-2012 academic year, we recycled over 1,405 gallons of fryer oil.

Trayless Dining- By eliminating trays in our dining halls, we are able to compost food waste and decrease water and energy consumption.

Recycled Plastic Bags- Special TDPA additive enables these bags to degrade, biodegrade in the presence of moisture, micro organisms, oxgyen and soil. TDPA (totally degradable plastic additives) is incoporated into commodity  PE, PP and PS resins to allow final plastic products to degrade when triggered by heat, UV sunlight and mechanical stress. TDPA products can be recycled in standard recycling bins.

Recycled Content Hot Cups- These cups feature 10% post consumer fiber, an innovative and food safe material.  The cups meet our quality standards and will simultaneously help the environment!  Using a 10% post-consumer fiber cup will help reduce the use of virgin tree fiber by five million pounds in one year alone, the equivalent of 75,000 trees!

Fair Trade Coffee- Fair Trade Coffee is sold at ALL retail locations on campus and Elon Catering.  Elon Dining Services recognizes the need for social and environmental responsibility towards farm workers, our customers and our communities.  That is why we have implemented the Fair Trade Coffee program at our We Proudly Brew Starbucks locations, the Eco-Grounds program at the Java City @ KBC, and Port City Java available through Elon Catering.  Benefits of these programs for coffee farmers mean community development, health, education, and environmental stewardship.

Bulk Dispensers- Bulk dispensers are used when practical to reduce packaging.  Products available in bulk include juices, sodas, milk, ketchup, mustard, mayonnaise, BBQ sauce, and most cereals.

Recyclemania and Earth Day- Dining Services participates in Recyclemania, a 10 week annual competion among colleges and universities nationwide, and supports and hosts Earth Day Events on campus to spead awareness and environmental responsibility.

Technology-Food management software ensures that Dining Services forecasts accurately to match food production to consumption. Our newest location, Topio's, uses electronic menu boards rather than paper menus in an effort to reduce paper consumption  and waste.

China, Flatware and Glasses- We use china, flatware and glasses in residential campus dining locations that are washed and sanitized for reuse reducing the amount of paper packaging. 

Reusable Cleaning Cloths- Sanitized reusable cleaning cloths are used to clean our locations rather than paper products.