First Posted: 12/5/2013
Keystone College has been recognized by the federal Environmental Protection Agency for its food donation and waste diversion efforts.
Keystone is one of 26 colleges and universities in the Mid-Atlantic Region to join the EPA’s Food Recovery Challenge, which encourages higher educational institutions and other organizations to donate and divert as much of their excess food as possible.
The college has been ranked as one of the nation’s top schools for commitment to the environment by The Princeton Review and Sierra Magazine.
Sodexo, the international company which manages Keystone’s facilities and dining services, initiated Keystone’s participation in the Food Recovery Challenge. Keystone and Sodexo take numerous steps to reduce food waste and increase sustainability, including donating 100 pounds of food per month to local charitable organizations. Other sustainability programs include:
*Using eco-friendly dish detergent with no chemicals
*Recycling fryer-oil, cardboard, glass, plastic, paper and metal
*Using bio-degradable coffee cups, to-go containers, and other similar eco-friendly products
*Purchasing sustainable seafood and participating in the national seafood watch program
*Purchasing “Energy-Star” efficient appliances
*Using low-flow water nozzles
*Establishing a campus-wide sustainability committee
*Initiating tray-less dining to conserve water
*Buying fair-trade coffees and teas
*Initiating a recycled napkin program