Social Responsibility

Local Information

UMB Dining installs new dishwashing system to boost its Positive Environmental Impact ... details here.

Sodexo feels it is our responsibility to encourage and act in a way that promotes sustainability at UMass Boston, in our community, around the region and throughout the world. Our sustainability efforts tie into our strong community focus and our regard for quality of life.

Our sustainability initiatives and programs include the following:

• Recycle paper and #6 plastic and below
• Composting of left over food and dining trash
• Reusable cup program, 10 cents off if you bring
  your own cup
• Local produce from Baldor
• Local Dairy from HP Hood
• Purchasing from environmentally and
  socially responsible companies
• Waste reduction practices
• Offering of Fair Trade coffee at all locations

Why local?     

• Local products spend less time in transit and therefore arrive faster & fresher
• Chefs can offer different varieties of vegetables grown locally for flavor and character – rather than vegetables grown for interstate durability
• Local eating connects guests to the environment by respecting seasonality and the unique features of our bioregion
• Local purchasing eliminates the need for long-distance hauling and substantially reduces greenhouse gas emissions from trucking – limiting our carbon footprint
• Local purchasing supports the viability of local farms and protects land by supporting sustainable agricultural use.

Fair Trade Products

Value of Recycling to UMass Boston:

Financial savings—solid waste disposal tonnage costs avoided; Waste reduction - tons of waste not going into the waste stream.

• Meets client expectations
• Guest satisfaction
• It's the right thing to do!

How You Can Help

You can help us in our sustainability in a number of ways:

• Don't waste food. Enjoy your meal but remember don't overload your plate.
• Take only the number of napkins you need per meal.
• Take only one disposable cup for each beverage