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Sustainability

As a guest, it is easy to make smart environmental choices when you dine at any Coyote Dining location. We know today's college students want to do the right thing for the planet and we also understand you lead busy lives, so your Coyote Dining team will do a lot of the work for you behind the scenes!

From purchasing local seasonal produce whenever possible to reducing inorganic and organic waste, your campus team is dedicated to providing you an exceptional dining experience that is good for you and good for the planet.

Coyote Dining Services is dedicated to sustainability. In addition to the many initiatives we take on as a company, we have implemented the following programs. 

Waste Reduction Efforts

Recycling

We recycle the following products on campus: cardboard, aluminum, paper and plastic. We also use recyclable containers for 90% of all to-go products on campus.

Composting

Food waste in landfills creates methane, a greenhouse gas which is 21 times more potent than carbon dioxide. Our first priority is to reduce food waste. We compost any unavoidable food waste, which reduces greenhouse gas emissions and can also be used to amend the soil, thereby increasing drought tolerance, improving soil structure and health and reducing the need for water and fertilizers.

Trayless Dining

Why Trayless Dining? First of all, guests who dine without trays waste less goods and beverages. Secondly, it is a healthier approach to eating. Finally, it helps reduce the water & energy consumption when there are less dishes to be washed.

Xpressnap Dispensers

Xpressnap Dispensers save energy and waste. The napkins are made of 100% recycled paper and the dispenser will encourage customers to take (and waste) fewer napkins. Energy is saved because less power is used to recycle paper products than to create them from virgin material.

Champion Dish Washing System

Champion combines technology and products designed to save water and energy, minimize the impact of products on the environment.

Bulk Condiments

Individual packets of condiments are useful in some instances, but they result in extra waste. Use the condiment dispensers to reduce our waste.

Fries to Fuel

Our fryer oil is recycled and converted to bio-diesel fuel used for vehicles, ships and farm equipment.

Choose to Reuse (CTR) Container Program 

The CTR reusable container program is designed to reduce waste and help achieve Sodexo's Better Tomorrow Plan commitments by replacing single-use disposable food and beverage containers with reusable containers. Available Coyote Commons dining hall. Learn more about this program

Reusable Dishware

We offer chinaware in the Coyote Commons to help reduce waste associated with using disposable containers.

Green Cleaning

“Green Seal”

92% of the chemicals Coyote Dining uses are “Green Seal” certified, concentrated or sustainable.

Energy Reduction Efforts

Day-Lighting

Natural window lighting in our dining hall allow us to reduce energy usage. 

On/Off Protocol

To save energy, we are mindful of energy consuming appliances.

Energy Efficient Lighting

We have replaced our incandescent bulbs with LED bulbs to reduce our energy consumption.

Local / Seasonal / Responsible Sourcing

Local Suppliers

We work closely with local produce distributors to maximize the amount of fruits and vegetables purchased from local farms. We participate in farm to school initiatives and 80% of our produce comes from local farms.

Sustainable Eggs

We use 100% cage free eggs.

Local Dairy

We emphasize the importance of local dairy farms by having many of our products sourced from them.