Virginia Wesleyan University Dining Services has several program initiatives that support sustainability

On Campus we recycle the following products: cardboard, glass, steel, aluminum, paper, plastic and e-waste. Recycling bins can be found throughout our dining facilities on campus.

The napkins are made of 100% recycled paper and the dispenser will encourage customers to take (and waste) fewer napkins. Energy is saved because less power is used to recycle paper products than to create them from virgin material.

Customers without trays typically waste less food and beverages. It is also a healthier approach to eating, as we all know that at times our eyes are bigger than our stomach. Trayless dining also reduces the amount of water and detergents needed to wash trays - and saves energy too!

Food waste in landfills creates methane, a greenhouse gas which is 21x more potent than CO2.  (www.epa.gov)  Our first priority is to reduce food waste.  We compost food waste to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and also be enhance and amend soil health by improving soil structure, enhancing micro-organism content, increasing drought tolerance and reducing need for water and fertilizers. We collect pre and post-consumer food waste to create compost to be used across campus. Look for ways to get involved in these initiatives.

We work closely with local produce distributors to maximize the fruits and vegetables purchased from local farms. We also purchase from local dairies, and participate in farm to school initiatives.  Tracking local purchases helps us to meet our Better Tomorrow Plan commitment of 20% local purchase by 2020.