Sustainability Policy

Our Commitment to Sustainability

UMD Dining Services is committed to being a good steward of the environment and is working diligently to decrease any negative impact on the environment. 

planting

Our mission is to:

  • Provide quality, nourishing foods to guests that are healthy to both one’s body and the environment.
  • Initiate an inclusive dining experience through creative menus that use seasonal foods to build a community table.
  • Offer affordable, sustainable options.
  • Locally sourcing items to decrease carbon emissions, to strengthen the local economy, and to provide fresh, quality goods.
  • Improve on its low-waste-to-landfill project to achieve a model that advances towards zero landfill waste by 2025 by
    • Increasing compost and recycling in all areas of service and production
    • Intentionally sourcing packaging that is environmentally friendly and which requires composting or recycling, avoiding waste.
  • Repurpose extra foods to avoid waste and feed the hungry.
  • Activate and empower staff to be sustainability champions
    • Maintain an intuitive, easy-to-use composting and recycling program.
    • Incorporate operational efficiencies to save water and energy and to prevent food waste