Promote Sustainability by Eating on Campus
University of Dayton students can help promote sustainability efforts by dining in and choosing real items (plates, silverware, cups etc.). Washing and re-using items is better for the environment than single-use disposables or compostable items, which require more energy and resources to produce.
If students need their meal to-go, they can choose a Go Green reusable container. Return bins across campus collect the reusable dining containers.
UD has a three-part disposal system: compost, recycle, garbage/landfill. Dining Services' three largest dining facilities haul all compostable waste to our on-campus in-vessel composter. Dining Services started using compostables in 2009 and has successfully diverted tons of waste from going to the landfill.
Because compostable items cost more than other non- eco-friendly items, students are asked to contribute $0.35 per to-go container/order. Students can save up to $220 in dining dollars per semester by using dine-in dishes and cutlery vs. paying container charges for compostable or to-go containers.
Plant-Based Options
UD Dining Services offers a variety of plant-based menu options, with all dining venues offering different plant-based meals (tofu, dairy-free cheese, etc.).
Going meatless (even once a week) can greatly decrease your carbon footprint. By choosing plant based meals, you'll be able to make delicious and environmentally conscious meal decisions.
Eating Local
UD Dining Services proudly supports the University's commitment to community by serving a variety of locally sourced products throughout our dining facilities. By utilizing local suppliers, we bring fresher produce to the University, use less fuel in transport and provide job opportunities. Local suppliers we use include:
- Young's Jersey Dairy (Yellow Spring, OH)
- Eric's Pretzels (Centerville, OH)
- Warped Wing Soda (Dayton, OH)
- Barry's Bagels (Toledo, OH)
- Bowman and Landes Turkey (New Carlisle, OH)
- Blue Bus Coffee Roasters (Clayton, OH)
- Mehaffie's Pies (Dayton, OH)
- Sweet P's popsicles (Dayton, OH)