Yale Hospitality Makes Student Dining More Sustainable

bottle picked up on shore
January 26, 2021
Yale Hospitality is providing two reusable tote bags and one stainless steel water bottle at no cost to all on-campus students upon their return for the spring 2021 semester. This program is designed to reduce waste generated by the new, to-go food distribution system, created as a COVID-19 safety precaution, which requires the use of many single-use plastic containers and bags. Although the containers are recyclable and reusable, this effort will make it easier to reduce waste and move closer to Yale’s sustainability goals.
 
In discussing the distribution of these reusable items, Paul Bermeal, the Managing Director of Operations, said that upon their arrival to campus, students will be provided with an isolation meal kit. This kit will include three reusable white or navy-blue tote bags with the Yale foodie logo and one blue or white double wall, stainless steel, thermal bottle. Students will also receive items to customize and personalize their reusable items, information on the container recycling program, and more.
 
The decision by Yale Hospitality to incorporate reusables is an important step for sustainability. The United States Environmental Protection Agency estimates that 14.5 million tons of single-use food containers are generated in the United States—14.5 million tons is approximately the same weight as 1,933,334 elephants. Approximately only 13.1% of that plastic packaging is recycled. The alternative of reusable packaging is much more energy efficient and sustainable. It is important to get in the habit of using reusable alternatives whenever possible, and this small change will allow all on-campus students to dramatically lessen their usage of single-use plastics and bags. There are about 2,000 students who will live on campus and have a meal plan during the 2021 spring semester. If each student eats two meals on average per day, then that would save 4,000 plastic water bottles and paper bags daily—that’s 28,000 plastic bottles and paper bags per week!
 
Yale Hospitality selected these tote bags at the beginning of the Fall semester for their reusability, sturdy woven fabric, and size, making them perfect for isolation meal kits. Yale’s trusted sourcing partners assisted in sharing sustainable options for the reusable water bottles. Adam Millman, Senior Director of Residential Dining, said, “The reusable tote bags and water bottles… will allow students to pick up and take out their daily meals and beverages, while reducing waste.” Millman also explained that the tote bags and water bottles were, in part, inspired by student feedback during the fall semester on how to improve the system. On top of being a more sustainable option, Sammy Feliciano, the Managing Director of Operations, said providing reusable tote bags and water bottles will make it easier for staff to provide even smoother service within the dining halls. Feliciano continued, “Our staff is aligned to our sustainability efforts and are grateful we will be able to cut down on paper bags, plastic cups, straws and more.” This program specifically falls under Yale’s eighth sustainability objective of ensuring sustainable consumption and disposal patterns, in the Yale Sustainability Plan 2025.