Overall Rating | Silver - expired |
---|---|
Overall Score | 48.56 |
Liaison | Alan Turnquist |
Submission Date | July 8, 2020 |
Executive Letter | Download |
Michigan Technological University
OP-8: Sustainable Dining
Status | Score | Responsible Party |
---|---|---|
1.25 / 2.00 |
Jay
Meldrum Executive Director of Sustainability Facilities Management |
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indicates that no data was submitted for this field
Part 1: Sustainable Dining Initiatives
Sustainable Dining Policy
No
A brief description of the sustainable dining policy:
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On-Campus Sourcing
Yes
A brief description of the program to source food from a campus garden or farm:
The food/dining services staff, along with MTU students, maintain a garden at the Wadsworth Hall dormitory. The food from this garden is utilized by the dining services department. https://www.mtu.edu/news/stories/2013/july/sustainable-vegetable-garden-takes-root-tech.html
Local Community Engagement
No
A brief description of the farmers market, CSA or urban agriculture project:
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Vegan Dining Program
Yes
A brief description of the vegan dining program:
Vegan options are always available on the menu to the MTU community. See the link below for one example of what we serve at Douglass Houghton Residence Hall. (pdfs of menus available)
https://www.mtu.edu/dining/centers/dhh/
Low-Impact Dining Events
No
A brief description of the low impact dining events:
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Sustainability-Themed Meals
No
A brief description of the sustainability-themed meals:
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Sustainability-Themed Outlet
No
A brief description of the sustainability-themed food outlet:
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Labeling and Signage
No
A brief description of the sustainability labeling and signage in dining halls:
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Outreach and Education
Yes
A brief description of the outreach efforts to support learning and research about sustainable food systems:
Yes, individuals from the dining services leadership staff attend seminars and classes to expand their knowledge on sustainable food systems.
Other Initiatives
Yes
A brief description of the other sustainability-related dining initiatives:
MTU dining services support wellness initiatives, an example can be found in cooking classes. Additionally, culturally diverse options are available. Once a week, dining services teams up with international students from across campus to bring a special event known as Khana Khazana (food treasure). International students make authentic ethnic foods from their homes and share them with you every Friday during the academic year. On the menu is normally 2-3 dishes and a dessert. https://www.mtu.edu/dining/about/events/
Part 2: Food and Dining Waste
Food Recovery Program
Yes
A brief description of the food recovery competition or commitment program or food waste prevention system:
The university uses the LeanPath program. Both pre-consumer and post-consumer waste is measured. Any discarded waste is weighed and photographed. The information is then sent to Lean Tracker and weekly reports are generated.
https://www.mtu.edu/dining/about/sustainability/
Trayless Dining and Portion Modifications
Yes
A brief description of the trayless dining or modified menu/portion program:
The Douglass Houghton Hall cafeteria has been a trayless dining area for the past several years. Additional targets to become trayless include: McNair dining hall.
http://www.enterprise.mtu.edu/green_campus/culture.php
Food Donation
Yes
A brief description of the food donation program:
The university donates food that would otherwise go to waste to local non-profits. Michigan Tech also maintains the Husky Food Access Network, which provides donated food to the campus community. In 2018-2019 over 1800 pounds of food was distributed to those in need. https://www.mtu.edu/huskyfan/donate/
Food Materials Diversion
Yes
A brief description of the food materials diversion program:
MTU dining services partners with a 3rd party vendor to transport and convert used cooking oil to bio fuel and animal feed.
https://www.mtu.edu/dining/about/sustainability/
Composting
No
A brief description of the pre-consumer composting program:
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Does the institution or its primary dining services contractor have a post-consumer composting program?:
Yes
A brief description of the post-consumer composting program:
MTU has invested in a dehydrator/composter through a grant from the Michigan Department of Environment, Great Lakes and Energy (EGLE) formerly the Department of Environmental Quality (DEQ). The goal is to reduce food disposal waste by 90% daily.
https://www.mtu.edu/sustainability/composting/
Dine-In Service Ware
Yes
A brief description of the reusable service ware program:
The university uses metal flatware and real dishes that can be reused.
Take-Away Materials
No
A brief description of the compostable containers and service ware:
MTU dining services uses certified compostable containers for to-go meals through retail dining (example: Khana Kazana) and catering events only.
Does the institution or its primary dining services contractor offer discounts or other incentives to customers who use reusable containers (e.g. mugs) instead of disposable or compostable containers in “to-go” food service operations?:
No
A brief description of the reusable container discount or incentives program:
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Other Materials Management Initiatives
No
A brief description of other dining services materials management initiatives:
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Optional Fields
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Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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The information presented here is self-reported. While AASHE staff review portions of all STARS reports and institutions are welcome to seek additional forms of review, the data in STARS reports are not verified by AASHE. If you believe any of this information is erroneous or inconsistent with credit criteria, please review the process for inquiring about the information reported by an institution or simply email your inquiry to stars@aashe.org.