It is important to look for products that are of durable design, easily repairable, and potentially re-useable. In addition, products should be easily recycled once their useful life ends. Universities may need to develop special procurement guidelines in order to give greater emphasis to such criteria. This may involve university-wide policy or management decisions. Reduce the amount of food waste generated.
Food waste can make up a sizable portion of a university's waste stream.
Much of the food is simply thrown out because it is not wanted. Significant opportunities exist to reduce the amount of food waste generated. Reduce landscape waste. Xeriscaping is the practice of growing drought-tolerant plants. While promoted as a water conservation measure, xeriscaping can include selecting varieties of grass which require minimal water, and planning native shrubs and trees instead of imported species.