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Sustainability

UGA Food Services takes environmental sustainability very seriously and advocates the concepts of Reduce, Reuse and Recycle in all campus food services operations. Food Services has been a long time campus advocate of these concepts. Food Services was recognized with the 2003 Community Champion award for its support feeding the homeless in the community. Some of our other achievements are:

Reduce

  • Our four dining commons use trash pulper systems to drastically reduce the volume of paper and food waste sent to local landfills. The use of these systems also dramatically reduces water usage in trash disposal systems.
  • We consolidate the majority of our deliveries to a central food storage facility, which reduces delivery truck traffic on campus.
  • Napkins are placed on tables instead of at silverware stations. Since implementing this practice we estimate napkin consumption on campus has reduced by 50%.
  • We purchase products with minimum packing (ex. pouched vs. canned products)
  • Installing timers on lighting
  • Specifying energy efficient replacement equipment
  • Use of energy efficient lighting
  • Use of electric hand dryers in lieu of paper towels in public restrooms
  • Reduction of water use - Example: We have annually reduced water use at Snelling Dining Commons by 38.9%
  • Food Services reduced its water usage in 2008 by 2.05 million gallons of water through conservation efforts. Since then, we have maintained this sustainable practice. 
  • Food Services promotes sustainability by purchasing regional produce and food products when available

Reuse

  • The four dining commons use permanent dishes, glassware, and flatware, eliminating the need for disposable products.
  • Our customers can purchase a reusable "Big Swig" mug at any of our retail locations. Refills are discounted to encourage our customers to utilize this program.
  • Food Services is also a major contributor to both the Food Bank of Northeast Georgia and Full Plate. The Food Bank recovers donated and salvaged surplus food and distributes it to human-service agencies. Full Plate distribute prepared food to local charities that operate emergency shelters, food pantries, after-school programs and soup kitchens in the Athens area.

Recycle

  • In all of our facilities, we recycle our office supplies, cardboard, glass, plastic and metal cans. New employees are taught the procedures and value of recycling. 
  • Bins for recycling cardboard, newspapers, plastic, and aluminum are provided in many of our facilities.
  • All cooking oil is pick up and sent off to be recycled.
  • We recycle all of our ink jet and toner cartridges.
  • We purchase office paper with a minimum 30% recycled content.
  • Providing on campus collection sites for recycling cardboard, newspapers, plastic and aluminum.
  • Eco-friendly disposable serviceware is used in our retail food courts.

UGA Food Services invites you to visit the dining link on the Campus Sustainability website for additional information about our sustainability efforts.