University of Delaware Dining Services’ sustainability platform, in partnership with Aramark --  Green Thread --  weaves environmental responsibility into dining services across all on-campus dining locations. As UD celebrates Earth Month, Dining Services is committed to reducing its environmental impact through waste minimization.

Based on feedback received from students, new solutions to reduce single-use plastics are being practiced this academic year at residential dining locations, food courts, convenience locations and catering operations across campus:

• Starting Monday, April 8, Russell and Pencader Dining will now offer reusable to-go containers for take-out meals;
• Dining Services reduces plastic straw use in all residential and retail dining locations with a marketing campaign, Sip Smarter, which encourages students to opt out of using a straw;
• Students who bring and choose to use their own reusable mug at retail dining locations receive a discount on their beverage; and
• Catering removed plastic straws across operations, but straws are still be available upon request for anyone who asks.

Additionally, Dining Services already reduces, reuses and recycles throughout the food production and service processes:

• The Caesar Rodney Fresh Food Company converts all food waste into water through two mechanical digesters;
• All locations participate in the University’s single-stream recycling program, as well as Recyclemania;
• Perishable food is donated to the Food Bank of Delaware at the completion of each semester;
• Residential dining halls are tray-less, saving one-third to one-half gallon of water per tray;
• Disposable napkins made from 100 percent recycled materials are used in all locations;
• Dining locations convert fryer oil waste to biodiesel fuel; and
• Dining Services partners with the student-run UD chapter of the Food Recovery Network to transport unused portions of food from campus to local, community food pantries.

Visit Dining Services’ website for more information on Green Thread and environmental and sustainability efforts and follow Dining Services (@DiningUD) on social media for updates.