The University of Texas at Dallas
IN-25: Innovation B

UT Dallas food waste programs demonstrate university buy in for a holistic program that exceeds EPA and UN food waste goals for reducing food waste by 50% by 2030 and exceeds food waste criteria put forth by STARS in other areas. With this cumulative effort, UTD is currently diverting 66% of food waste with robust engagement from students faculty and staff. Sustainability Club (student org) - Has founded a chapter with Food Recovery Network and services leftovers from campus dining to Hope's Door every weekday so that food is provided to those in need rather than being wasted. Student Government - Provided funding for compost caddies that are provided to students living in campus apartments so that students can compost food waste. Eco Reps (student workers) - Provide training to students in apartments so that they compost correctly. Office of Sustainability - Facilitates the Comet Composting program and works with contract composter. Dining Services - Diverts all food waste from the campus dining hall and pre-consumer food waste from union dining locations. Dining Services was able to address 100% diversion rate in its dining hall by removing all materials that could contaminate the food waste stream so that the only bins provided to students are compost bins. Housing - Provided funding for a compost bin near student apartments. Faculty - We currently have faculty research looking at how congestion affects food waste in order to test the hypothesis that long lines lead to students over-serving themselves in order to avoid waiting in line for seconds.