Sustainability

"We will maintain in good order the land we are privileged to use, protecting the environment and natural resources."

Sodexho feels it is our responsibility to encourage and act in a way that promotes sustainability on campus, in our community, around the region and throughout the world. Our sustainability efforts tie into our strong community focus and our regard for quality of life. Our sustainability initiatives and programs include the following:

• Air pollution reduction practice
• Ecological building construction and renovation design
• Energy conservation practices
• Purchasing from environmentally and socially responsible companies
• Waste reduction practices
• Local farmers provide their products to our main supplier to maximize delivery efforts and cut down on greenhouse emissions
• Recycling of solid waste
• Rendering practices
• Water conservation and waste water practices
• Many of our coffees, teas and hot chocolate are Fair Trade
• Use of local coffee roasters
• Use of local cage-free organic eggs
• Purchasing from companies that give back a percentage of their profits to environmentally responsible projects
• Introduction of the Opti-Rinse™ System. Opti-Rinse™ rinse nozzles use less than half the water of traditional nozzles
• Elimination of disposable service ware that does not support an environmentally friendly environment

Local and Organic Foods

Since 2006, Wellesley Dining Services continues to strengthen all of their efforts towards purchasing locally grown products and working with locally owned businesses. It began with Wellelsey Dining Services working hand-in-hand with the Dining Service Advisory Board (DSAB)

Who / What?

Dining Services works with Sodexho's prime vendors to source items locally wherever possible. In addition, purchases are also made directly from local vendors including:

• Eva's Garden - South Dartmouth, MA
• Wilson Farm - Lexington, MA
• Lanni Farm - Lunenburg, MA
• Delftree Mushroom Farm - North Adams, MA
• Boisverte Farm - Hadley, MA
• Twin Oaks Farm - Hadley, MA
• Nesenkeag Farm - Litchfield, MA
• Jonathan's Sprouts - Marion, MA
• Pioneer Valley Growers Association - Western MA
• Sullivan Orchards, Ayer, MA
• Brookdale Farm - Hollis, NH
• Franklin Farms - North Franklin, CT
• Old Maid Farm - South Glastonbury, CT
• The Food Project - Dorchester and Lexington, MA

When?

All year long as available, some items are definitely seasonal

How Much?

Approximately 20-30% fo al lpurchases made by Wellelsey Dining Services are from local vendors and that percentage is increasing each year.

Why local?

• Local products spend less time in transit and therefore arrive faster & fresher
• Chefs can offer different varieties of vegetables grown locally for flavor and character – rather than vegetables grown for interstate durability
• Local eating connects students to the environment by respecting seasonality and the unique features of our bioregion
• Local purchasing eliminates the need for long-distance hauling and substantially reduces greenhouse gas emissions from trucking – limiting our carbon footprint
• Local purchasing supports the viability of local farms and protects land by supporting sustainable agricultural use

Resources:

• Massachusetts Agricultural Resources www.mass.gov/agr
• New England Apples www.newenglandapples.org
• New England Organics www.newenglandorganics.com
• Rainforest Alliance Program

Fair Trade Products

Wellesley Dining Services has been serving Fair Trade coffee selections to their customers since 2002. Today Fair Trade coffee selections are offered at several locations on campus and from several coffee vendors.

Fair Trade Products guarantees a minimum price for small farmers' harvests and encourages organic and sustainable cultivation methods that are safer for communities. The cultivation of coffee has become an issue with both environmental and human rights implications.

Coffee - What Brand / Where?

Green Mountain Fair Trade Coffee (a New England based company) selections are offered at all but 1 of 6 dining halls on campus. A new coffee program is being tested in Tower Dining Hall called "Aspreto". This coffee program offers both certified fair trade as well as rainforest alliance selections. Unique to the Aspreto coffee program is the special cup tht is 100% compostable and sustainable.

Waste Reduction & Prevention

Wellesley Dining Services works hard to put green dining practices in place. These sustainable practices touch many areas of conservation including waste reduction, as well as waste prevention:
- Energy Conservation
- Water Conservation and Waste Water Prevention
- Food and Paper Waste Reduction and Prevention
- Renewable and Recycled Materials Use

Energy Conservation

• All light bulbs in all 6 resident dining halls are currently being replaced by fluorescent. Old bulbs will be recycled. This will benefit the halls with a two-thirds reduction in energy usage.

Water Conservation and Waste Water Prevention

• All seventeen sprayer heads in kitchens campus wide were replaced by high pressure, low flow spray heads resulting in a reduction of water usage from 4 gallons per minute to 1 gallon per minute.

Food and Paper Waste Reduction and Prevention

• All paper cups have been removed from the resident dining halls to eliminate extra cups ending up in the waste stream. (The exception is Pomery Dining Hall due to the nature of the facility.)
• Just in time cooking practices employed in all dining halls resulting in 80% less food waste
• Just in time production in all dining halls reduces pre-consumer food waste by up to 80%
• Reusable mug campaign – retail outlets offer a 10% discount on refills with the mug

How You Can Help

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

• Take full advantage of the Dining Hall. They all feature all china / silverware service, pre and post consumer composting and is members of the local Food salvage program.
• Don't waste food. Enjoy your meal but remember don't overload your plate.
• 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 many student sponsored campus environmental groups.