Local Sustainable Initiatives
Sodexo is dedicated to corporate citizenship and sustaining our planet. Our goals are to focus on the environment, economy and society as a whole through various efforts. We are working to make our campus dining and retail operations more earth-friendly.
We have implemented the following programs to improve your environment, economy and society:
Sodexo at SOU is reducing food waste on campus like never before! We compost pre-consumer waste from out kitchens in Cascade and Elmo's, including coffee grounds from Java Union & Southern Grounds at Hannon Library, with a local waste management company. In addition, we use compostable plates, cups and clear glasses exclusively for our catered events when china service is not requested. These items are frequently collected by Campus Dining employees and delivered to the campus garden where Ecos (ecology center of the Siskiyous) members will chip up the products and add it to their compost.
Xpress Nap Holders
We are introducing Xpress Nap napkin holders on campus this year to reduce waste by dispensing only one napkin at a time and encouraging students and faculty/staff to only take what they need. The napkins we provide in the dispensers are made from recycled materials and are EcoLogo Certified.
EcoLogoM
The EcoLogoM Program is regarded as North America’s leading benchmark of environmentally-friendly products and services. The EcoLogoM Program reviews literally every stage of the manufacturing process for its environmental impact. Covering a wide range of sustainability factors, it is one of the most comprehensive certification systems available to companies interested in demonstrating their environmental commitment across the entire manufacturing process.
In earning EcoLogoM Certification, SCA Tissue’s manufacturing facilities and products meet strict requirements in the following areas:
- Resource consumption Energy consumption
- Effluent discharge
- Net solid waste
Local Farms
We work hard to get as many ingredients locally as possible. Our professionally-trained chefs write our menus to take advantage of the fresh fruits and vegetables that are naturally in season in the Northwest. More information, including a map showing local farms where we buy things from, will be added to this site soon!
APEX
The dining team on campus proudly uses Apex dishwashing detergent. Apex combines technology and products designed to save water and energy as well as minimize the impact on the environment. In addition to the actual detergent being more environmentally friendly, this new product uses 95 percent less packaging material than prior products.
Bulk Items & Eco-Friendly Packaging
At all of the dining locations on campus, we strive to offer products with as little and as eco-friendly packaging as possible. Please help us reduce waste further by only taking the pieces of disposable silverware, napkins, etc. that you really need to enjoy your meal
Reusable Cup Discount
The environment and your pocketbook win! Bring your own reusable cup to purchase coffee on campus and save 15 cents off every time in any location.
Biodiesel
More information coming soon on how the Sodexo dining team at SOU helps turn used fryer oil into usable energy as biodiesel!