Aramark Introduces Reusable To-Go Containers on Campuses
College dining program to divert two million disposables from landfills.
-- Restaurants & Institutions, August 25, 2009
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| Aramark's Green Thread (TM) 'to go' container program will divert more than two million disposables from landfills during the 2009-2010 school year. |
[PRESS RELEASE] PHILADELPHIA--(BUSINESS WIRE)--College students returning to campus this fall will find a new addition to their list of campus essentials: a re-usable ‘to go’ food container for use at the campus dining hall. ARAMARK Higher Education, a world leader in providing professional services to more than 600 colleges and universities throughout North America, will introduce the Green Thread™ ‘to go’ container program at many of the campuses it serves, diverting more than two million disposables from landfills during the 2009-2010 school year.
“Through our Green Thread™ environmental stewardship platform, ARAMARK continues to look for ways to reduce our environmental impact,” said Michael Leone, Senior Vice President, ARAMARK Higher Education. “The re-usable ‘to go’ container program is the next phase of our ongoing plan to strive toward zero waste and support the sustainability goals of our partner campuses.”
ARAMARK successfully piloted the re-usable ‘to go’ containers at several campuses last year, including Baylor University (TX), University of Florida, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Peace College (NC) and Salem College (NC). Since implementing the re-usable ‘to go’ containers in fall 2008, Baylor University reduced disposable container usage by 40 percent.
The re-usable ‘to go’ containers, which are dishwasher-safe and go through the same cleaning process as the dinnerware used in campus dining halls, will be offered to students at participating campuses starting this year.
“Student feedback from the pilot program was very positive,” Leone said. “Everyone on campus immediately understood the reduction in landfill waste, when compared with a traditional, disposable container. Our program also commits to recycling these re-usable products at the end of their useful life.”
Green Thread™ was introduced in 2008 by ARAMARK and is a brand that encompasses a range of environmental stewardship programs and practices that can be offered to our clients. Green Thread™ allows ARAMARK to efficiently customize an environmental strategy that educates and engages consumers in environmental practices that extend from our on-site operations to opportunities at home for the entire family.
Last year, ARAMARK implemented a trayless dining program at the majority of its campus partner locations, which yielded significant reductions in energy, water, cleaning agents, food waste and waste removal.
About ARAMARK Environmental Stewardship
At ARAMARK, we are committed to protecting and improving the environment. We work to reduce our environmental footprint while offering expertise and practical solutions to thousands of client locations to help them reduce their environmental impacts. Throughout our company, we develop and implement programs that promote sustainability through environmental friendly products and practices, sustainable food and local purchasing options, energy and water conservation efforts, and waste management.
About ARAMARK Higher Education
ARAMARK Higher Education is dedicated to excellence in dining, facility, conference center, and stadium and arena services. ARAMARK enhances the living and learning experience and environment for more than 600 colleges and universities throughout North America. For more information and a list of our services, visit www.aramarkhighered.com.
About ARAMARK
ARAMARK is a leader in professional services, providing award-winning food services, facilities management, and uniform and career apparel to health care institutions, universities and school districts, stadiums and arenas, and businesses around the world. In FORTUNE magazine's 2009 list of "World's Most Admired Companies," ARAMARK was ranked number one in its industry, consistently ranking since 1998 as one of the top three most admired companies in its industry as evaluated by peers and analysts. ARAMARK seeks to responsibly address issues that matter to its clients, customers, employees and communities by focusing on employee advocacy, environmental stewardship, health and wellness, and community involvement. Headquartered in Philadelphia, ARAMARK has approximately 260,000 employees serving clients in 22 countries. Learn more at the company's Web site, www.aramark.com, or www.twitter.com/aramarknews.
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