Grand Valley State University, MI Sustainability Efforts

Type: Policy
Status: Ongoing
Source File: http://www.gvsu.edu/campusdine/index.cfm?id=C07FAEB6-B728-D68D-26D79C332BA7E2F3
Description:
Campus Dining is continually increasing its sustainable practices while serving the campus community high quality foods and top-notch customer service. Below is a list of our current sustainability initiatives.
Local Vendors:
* Produce: Local Farm Markets, when available
* Ice Cream: Hudsonville Ice Cream, Hudsonville, MI
* Baked Goods: Sandy’s Bakery, Grand Rapids, MI
* Concessions: Kowalski Hot Dogs, Grand Rapids, MI
* Dressings: Chadel Farm, Lowell, MI
* Vending: Karr’s Nuts, Detroit, MI
* Concessions: Grand Rapids Popcorn
Note: Using local vendors are an important sustainability initiative because it requires the use of less fuel to deliver the food to campus.
Waste Reduction/Recycling:
* Campus Dining participated in a Sustainable Research Group in Grand Rapids. Food waste from our locations was made into compost.
* Central production uses to-go containers made of corn products. For more information about the containers used, click here.
* Campus Dining uses biodegradable grocery bags.
* The Meal Plan brochures were streamlined into one brochure in 2007. T his reduced the number of brochures printed by 3,500 from 2006 to 2007.
* Campus Dining sold “Earth Sense” mugs to celebrate Earth Week. Customers could refill that mug for .25¢ for the remainder of the academic year in all Campus Dining locations.
* Customers can refill their own coffee mug at any Campus Dining location for $1. Campus Dining gave away over 1,000 mugs and refillable cups during the Sustainability Event in Fall 2007.
* Campus Dining partners with the Housing Office by placing our brochures into their student mailings. This eliminates the use of unnecessary envelopes and fuel by the post office.
* Nutritional information can be found on the website, eliminating the use of printed brochures.
* Campus Dining purchases recycled printer cartridges.
* Chemical buckets for cleaning products are reused.
* Payroll envelopes for managers and supervisors are reused.
* Campus Dining locations have collection sites for pop cans, plastic bottles and glass.
* The Meadows uses reusable plastic baskets to serve food.
* In Fall 2007, Campus Dining will began using disposable plates made of sugar cane. More information can be found here. 
* Campus Dining is also using sustainable cups, more information can be found here.
* Used grease from Campus Dining locations is used to make bio-fuel for a GV SU campus bus
* Campus Dining participates in Recyclemania, a 10-week competition among colleges and university recycling programs. More information can be found at http://www.recyclemaniacs.com.
Sustainable Products (Used by Campus Dining or Available by Campus Dining):
* Eco-Friendly Coffee and Fair Trade Tea is available at Einstein Bros. Bagels
* EcoGround and Fair Trade coffee is offered in Java City locations and the Fresh Food Company. More information can be found here.
* The Meadows grows its own herbs
* Low emission fluorescent lights are used in Campus Dining coolers
* Campus Dining purchased a flex-fuel vehicle used for food delivery
* In 2007/2008 all Campus Dining uniform shirts will be 100% cotton.
General Sustainable Efforts:
* Campus Dining participates in the Adopt-a-Highway program.
* Healthy food options are available in the vending machines
* Campus Dining educates its employees on sustainability through our BLT training course
* Campus Dining eliminated the use of trays at the Fresh Food Co. to eliminate the need for unnecessary water and soap usage.
* Campus Dining has a manager dedicated to sustainability.
Goals:
* To create as sustainable of a kitchen as possible in the lower Commons renovation.
* To participate in a community garden project.
* Utilize as many Fair Trade products as possible.
* Use sustainable and biodegradable utensils in dining locations.
Category:Colleges
Category:Food-Related Policies
Category:Michigan
Category:Policies
Category:Recycling