Local Sustainable Initiatives
Your Sodexo Campus Dining Team is dedicated to sustainability. We know we can all work together to make a positive impact right here at St. Cloud State University. In addition to the many initiatives we take on as a company, we have implemented the following programs specific to SCSU.
You Can Help!
You can help us with the environment in many ways:
- Take only the number of napkins you need per meal.
- Take only one cup for each beverage purchase.
- Use paper bags for carryout, where provided.
- Join our Recycle Mug Program or bring your own mug from home for beverage purchases.
- Recycle aluminum cans throughout campus at the designated recycling stations as well as at home.
- Dine in rather than carrying out.
Local Farms
We work hard to get as many ingredients locally as possible. Our professionally-trained chefs write our menus to take advantage of the fresh fruits and vegetables that are naturally in season.
Join us outside Atwood Memorial Center every Monday starting at 11a.m. to sample recipes made from local products! Purchase the items from our local farmers and make your own at home! Recipes are listed below!
Spicy Eggplant with Garbanzo Beans
Spare Change for a Good Cause
Thank you St.Cloud State University for your generosity! Since we have implemented KIDS AGAINST HUNGER in 2008, we have raised a total amount of $19,145.48! Kids against Hunger is a local charity that packages food for the needy all around the world. For more information visit http://www.kidsagainsthunger.org/
APEX Dishwashing System
As part of its commitment to increase the sustainability of its operations, Dining Services uses Ecolab's Apex dishwashing system. Apex combines technology and products designed to save water and energy, minimize the impact of products on the environment, and has a built-in method of measuring results. Apex uses a unique combination of detergents, rinse additives, equipment and consultative services to address the operational challenges in foodservice operations. The Apex management approach uses a tablet PC and wireless technology to communicate with the system's controller to download, process and analyze data to establish each foodservice operation's rack-to-guest ratio.
By monitoring and improving this ratio, the system helps reduce the amount of water and energy used at each facility, and improves total operational efficiency. All locations will receive the benefits of using less water, energy and labor, thus minimizing their operations' overall impact on the environment. In addition, the Apex system further supports Dining Services' sustainability initiatives with non-caustic chemistry and 95% less packaging material than current methods. Apex products come in a compact solid form that significantly reduces transportation shipments compared to bulkier liquid detergents.
Xpress Nap Holders
XPressnap dispensers are another solution to reducing energy and waste. They save 30% in paper over traditional napkin dispensing mechanisms. The great thing about these dispensers is that they help the environment while helping to keep costs down. The napkins are made of 100% recycled paper and the dispenser will encourage customers to take (and waste) less napkins. Energy is saved because less power is used to recycle paper products than to create them from virgin material. According to Xpressnap, enough is saved through utilizing recycle napkins to power 600 American homes for an entire year! More than half a million gallons of oil was saved 38 tanker trucks worth and 41 tons of pollutants were kept out of the environment. 4,131 cubic yards of paper were diverted from landfill space. This is enough to cover an entire football field with a two and a half foot deep stack of paper.