Composting, Recycling and the Environment

University Dining Services (UDS), the University of Vermont and the Intervale Compost Project work together to reduce the amount of waste entering area landfills. Food scraps are collected from several campus dining locations each day, then transported to the Invervale Compost Facility for composting. The Invervale is located less than a mile from campus, thus establishing a waste-to-resource partnership with minimal transport distance.

At the Intervale the food scraps are layered with other organic waste, the resulting compost is then sold to garden centers, farms, nurseries and landscapers. As a practice of completing the circle, UDS purchases produce grown using this same compost.

Recycling
The UVM Recycling and Solid Waste staff provides recycling containers in each of our dining service operations. Did You Know...? The Coordinator of UVM's Recycling program serves on the Dining Services Advisor Committee, providing insight and suggestions as to how to improve our sustainability efforts. All dining operations separate their corrugated cardboard, mixed paper, metal cans, and glass and plastic bottles for recycling. These materials are collected daily and delivered to a local recycling facility.

• Composting Food Scraps at UVM

Bio-diesel Fuel

As of 2004 used cooking oil and grease from the dining areas of campus is collected by Green Technologies of Winooski for processing into bio-diesel fuel. Biodiesel is a clean burning fuel for diesel engines. Biodiesel has a lower toxicity compared to petroleum diesel and lower emission of carbon monoxide, and emits much less particulate matter and carbon monoxide than petroleum diesel fuel. Biodiesel can be mixed with petroleum based diesel in any proportion.

Biodegradable Products

University Dining Services supports using environmentally friendly packaging and are working hard to limit excessive packaging as well as utilize compostable products wherever possible. Items available in the dining halls that are compostable include, brown napkins, grill liner paper, Green Mountain Coffee cups, Greenwave paper plates, parfait cups, and other items as requested.

Reusable Mug Program

University Dining Services supports the use of reuseable mugs on campus. Customers who use reusable mugs will only pay .99 cents for any size refill on campus for coffee and fountain soda options. In addition for every reusable eco-mug purchased Sodexo donates $.15 to the National Fish and Wildlife Foundation. Reusable mugs are available in all dining service locations.

Out of the Reusable Mug Program came the “Spot a Mug” program supported by University Dining Services and the UVM Environmental Council. The “Spot a Mug” program rewarded individuals using their mugs, if an individual was spotted using their mug by the UVM Environmental Council they are given a coupon to receive a free mug of soft drink at one the UDS locations. Spring of 2007, the Spot of Mug program will include a free refill of soft drink or a mug of coffee at one of the dining services locations.

Environmental Awareness Policy

Sodexo's Environmental Action Program is complex and multifaceted, offering solid information and tools to make our customers, clients, employees, and society at large aware of environmental problems and how they can help. This is a "living program" with an open-door policy: We will add to, amend, update and keep our programs current through publications, posters, newsletters and similar marketing and communication materials. Our program will be enhanced as new information is discovered and as we hear suggestions from our customers and clients.

The following are key steps we follow to maximizing the impact we can make with our environmental programs at UVM:

1. Use a Waste Stream Audit to identify the key campus opportunities.
2. Review the audit summary with our customers and ask for your direction.
3. Solicit campus support. Develop an action plan to focus on the initial issues.
4. Draw together a task force of interested parties and delegate tasks.
5. Meet with the task force and review progress as necessary.
6. Support the objectives of the task force as needed.
7. Increase awareness of these initiatives and the status of campus sustainability.

How You Can Help

You can help us in our sustainability in a number of ways:

• Take full advantage of our two Unlimited Dining Halls Simpson's and Harris/Millis. Both feature all china / silverware service, pre and post consumer composting and are members of the local Food salvage program.
  
  
• Don't waste food. Enjoy your meal but remember don't overload your plate.
  
  
• Make sure you don't contaminate the food waste in the compost bins.
  
  
• Take only the number of napkins you need per meal.
  
  
• Take only one disposable cup for each beverage purchased.
  
  
• Join our Reusable Mug Program (and use your mug). Not only do you help the environment, but also you get a great discount when you use your mug.
  
  
• Recycle aluminum cans and bottle throughout campus at the designated recycling centers.
  
  
• Dine in at your favorite campus location to ensure your take out packaging is properly disposed of.
  
  
• Get involved with the University of Vermont 's Recycling & Solid Waste Program and the many student sponsored campus environmental groups.