GOALS FOR FALL 2008
- Eco friendly (biodegradable) take-out containers in residential restaurants
- Eco friendly disposables (plastic-ware, cups, lids, straws, etc.)
- Green Seal certified cleaning products
- Permanent tray-less dining
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Trinity Dining has a strong commitment to minimizing the environmental impact of its operations. Our goal is to help ensure that resources used for today’s needs remain available for future generations while meeting our current guests’ needs in a cost-effective, responsible manner. We are engaging in the following initiatives in an effort to embrace our social responsibility and become more sustainable.
RECYCLEMANIA
RecycleMania (www.recyclemaniacs.org) is a friendly competition among US colleges and universities that provides the campus community with a fun, proactive activity in waste reduction. The main goal of this event is to increase student awareness of campus recycling and waste minimization.
TRAYLESS DINING
WHY TRAY-LESS?
As part of our Aramark Higher Education Green Thread environmental stewardship platform, our Waste Stream Management pillar looks for substantial impacts that minimize waste and conserve natural resources, while also providing a more sustainable solution. “Tray-Less”, removing trays from the dining venue, is one such action that promotes an immediate and tangible benefit in support of environmental stewardship.
Environmentally, Tray-Less dining reduces our environmental footprint. It decreases waste, conserves natural resources (namely energy and water) and reduces the introduction of polluting detergents, rinse and drying agents into the water table. Socially, Tray-Less dining provides education and awareness while reinforcing healthy habits. Economically, it is a cost control measure, supporting broader client and Aramark financial responsibility. Collectively, it is a true Triple Bottom Line initiative, further supporting campus sustainability.
Tray-Less dining is most effective and impactful in residential venues with all you care to eat programs.
BENEFITS:
Environmental
- Reduces our global impact on the environment
- Increases awareness about food waste and the waste stream
- Reduces food waste, and the associated environmental footprint (grow, process, package & transport) Studies demonstrate 33 to 66% less food waste on tray-less days
- Conserves energy by eliminating the need to heat water for trays (savings vary by location)
- Conserves water by eliminating the need to wash trays (savings range from 1/3 to 1/2 gallon/tray)
- Reduces chemical usage (detergents, rinse & drying agents) for washing trays
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SOCIAL
- Encourages healthier eating habits through portion control, elevating health & wellness
- Education & awareness of food waste
- Feels more comfortable (like eating at home or at a sit-down restaurant)
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ECONOMIC
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Reduces food waste removal costs (0.25 to 0.6 lbs/pp/meal)
Reduces cost per meal (varies from location to location)
Saves on cost of water and energy to heat water
(Saves 1.8¢ to 4.4¢ per gallon depending on location)
Eliminates detergent and rinse/drying agent costs for trays |
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