Sustainability is an important goal for the CSU system, and at Cal Poly this is no exception. For the last 20 years, the university has been making significant strides toward increasing sustainability practices across campus. One notable policy aims to eliminate the use of single-use plastics. Plastic straws and Styrofoam food service items were removed from campus years ago, and single-use plastic water bottles were eliminated in January 2023. All Campus Dining venues reached this goal early, with all single-use PET water bottles (20 oz or less) being eliminated and replaced with aluminum. This is one of many great changes that have been made at Campus Dining.
“We are also proud of a number of other recent waste stream management initiatives,” said Kaitlin Gibbons, registered dietitian, and sustainability coordinator with Campus Dining. “These include: a campus wide reusable tumbler program which saves tens of thousands of disposable cups per year from the landfill, the exclusive use of reusable takeout containers at our new Vista Grand Express location, and the addition of Big Belly waste bins strategically placed in dining neighborhoods.”
The team from Facilities Energy, Utilities, and Sustainability is working with Campus Dining in these waste reduction efforts and has identified additional areas for improvement within the dining program. To achieve the goal of reaching Platinum status for the Association for the Advancement of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) STARS score, research and testing of sustainable dining options is currently being conducted.
Overall, Campus Dining's sustainability efforts focus on four key areas: food sustainability, green buildings and transportation, waste stream management, and water and energy conservation. Through these practices and partnerships, Cal Poly is constantly innovating and growing its commitment to reducing its environmental footprint. By working together, we can create a more sustainable future for all.