Sustainable Practices

RIT Dining Services department is dedicated to reducing food waste and finding sustainable alternatives to existing practices. Sustainable improvement is a continuous process -- a journey, not a destination. The key to our success is to conserve resources and help the environment while maintaining customers’ well being and satisfaction.

What we are doing

ELIMINATION OF STYROFOAM - Dining Services has eliminated all polystyrene (Styrofoam) from our locations and have replaced it with containers made from polypropylene (number 5 plastic).

RECYCLING - We recycle plastics, number 1 through 7.

COOKING OIL RECYCLING - Used frying oil from our dining facilities (approximately 18,000 pounds annually) is sold to a vendor for refinement and production of bio-diesel fuel.

COMPOSTING - Last year, Dining Services gave approximately 36 tons of pre-consumer organic material to a local farm for use as compost. This saved 36 tons of waste from entering a landfill.

CHLORINE-FREE AND BIODEGRADABLE PRODUCTS - The Ritz SportsZone, Sol’s Underground, Ctrl Alt Deli, and Artesano Bakery and Café use the EcoCraft™  line of unbleached, FDA-approved natural Kraft paper for wraps, bags and napkins. EcoCraft™ products are printed with soy based inks on certified compostable and biodegradable paper. Sol's Underground also uses unbleached biodegradable pizza boxes made from recycled materials.

TRAY-LESS FACILITY - Gracie’s , our largest resident dining hall, is a tray-less facility. This initiative is credited with approximately 30% food waste reduction. We also are consuming less water and chemicals due to trays being eliminated from the washing cycle. See related article: Without Cafeteria Trays, Colleges Find Savings

GREEN CLEANING - New biodegradable cleaning products and chemical-free floor cleaning equipment contribute to a healthy and safe environment for both guests and staff.

LOCALLY GROWN FOOD - Last year, RIT Dining Services purchased food from 43 local businesses, accounting for 75.6% of their total food sales. In total, 34% of our food purchases were locally manufactured, processed or grown.  In addition, produce from the RIT Community Garden was incorporated into our menus. Purchasing locally produced food significantly cuts transportation costs and reduces associated carbon emissions.

SUSTAINABLY HARVESTED FOOD - All dining locations offer Fair Trade coffee harvested by co-op growers recognized for providing fair living wages and labor conditions for their workers. Seafood purchased for the campus is also sustainably harvested. 

What you can do

DINE IN - While we are converting to more sustainable carry-out container options, dining in and using washable ware is still the most sustainable choice. 

REDUCE WASTE – Whether dining in or taking out, please be mindful of product and food waste – take only what you will eat and use the minimal amount of paper/plastic products.

EAT HEALTHY FOOD - Dining Services has expanded the number of locations that offer organic foods, which include The Market at Global Village, Bytes, Artesano Bakery and Café, Café & Market at Crossroads, The Corner Store, and Sol’s Underground.  All milk sold by Dining Services is rbST hormone-free and antibiotic-free. Gluten free products are also available at several dining locations.

GET INFORMED - A number of services and resources to promote healthy eating and to accommodate various dietary needs, such as Celiac disease, are available through Dining Services. Net Nutrition is our online nutrition program that provides guests with nutritional information and recipe ingredients for meals at many on-campus dining locations. The online program also allows guests to filter menu by food allergen, such as milk and peanuts. Visit our Nutrition website for more information.

VISIT OUR OWN FARMERS’ MARKET - Watch for the dates of this year's Better Me Farmers’  Market – conveniently located on campus with a great selection of fresh produce and goods from local farmers with additional new vendor participation. TIME & LOCATION: Every Thursday (rain or shine) on the east side of the Gordon Field House (residence hall side). Payment is by cash only.

REUSABLE BAGS – We provide reusable bags for purchase at The Corner Store, The Market at Global Village, and the Café & Market at Crossroads.

REUSABLE MUG PROGRAM – Guests receive 10 cents off any hot or cold beverage purchased at any dining location when they bring their own reusable cup/mug.

ONLINE SERVICES – All Dining Services account transactions, including meal plan usage and Tiger Bucks, can be managed and viewed at eservices.rit.edu. Additionally, a number of our services are offered online including Special Delivery (exclusive gift service provided to the RIT community), WebFood (online food ordering at The Commons), and CaterTrax, Brick City Catering’s customizable online ordering system. These online services have enabled Dining Services to be 99.9% paperless!

RECYCLE - Dining Services operates an on-campus bottle return location to allow students to easily recycle their beverage bottles and receive their 5 cents deposit back. LOCATION: Sol Heumann Hall (SHH), A-level, next to the laundry room.(Enter through the main Sol entrance or through the back Sol entrance by The Corner Store and post office.) HOURS: Thursdays and Sundays, 6 p.m. - 9 p.m.

GET INVOLVED – Have an idea or want to help Dining Services further their sustainability efforts? Contact Kurt Ingerick, Director of Facilities Operations and Sustainability.