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Lehigh Dining displays sustainable prowess with 4-Star Green Restaurant Certification
Lehigh University’sRathbone Dining Hall has joined an elite group of campus dining locations that have earned 4-Star Green Restaurant Certification.
The certification, from the Green Restaurant Association, measures restaurants’ environmental accomplishments and steps toward environmental sustainability in categories including food, energy, waste, disposables, chemicals, and education.
Previously, Lehigh Dining had been rated at 2 stars, but it was important to the team to see that rating improve. Lehigh Dining’s team, led by Sustainability Coordinator Jamie Gallant, worked hard to get the 4-star rating, making improvements such as:
- Adding soft plastics recycling to the current program;
- Upgrading reusable takeout containers through a partnership with Topanga;
- Greatly reducing use of disposables;
- Switching to 100% recycled material napkins;
- Getting more energy-efficient appliances;
- Switching to 100% LED lighting; and
- Decreasing water waste by switching to 0.5GPM aerators on sinks.
Additionally, when it comes to the food itself, Lehigh Dining not only reduced pre-consumer food waste by more than 80 percent using LeanPath as well as increased their food donations, but also used herbs grown in their on-site Farmshelf hydroponic garden into their cooking, and increased their vegan and vegetarian offerings, making 62 percent of entree offerings meat-free.
Sustainability isn't just about being environmentally friendly,” Gallant said. “Food is a powerful tool to bring people together and create community. Being sustainable in our practices and offering a variety of options for students with different dining needs allows us to foster a culture of inclusion now and for many, many years to come.
Lehigh Dining aims to be fully transparent with their sustainability efforts, and Lehigh Dining Marketing Manager Erin Foertsch said signs about their efforts are posted in the front and back of the dining areas for guests and employees to see. Students are also able to learn more about food waste by seeing Lehigh Dining’s LeanPath and Biodigester in action.
Earning this 4-Star certification puts Lehigh University among only 14 other universities in the nation to have achieved this status, as well as the only university in Pennsylvania with the 4-Star Green Certification.
Foertsch said they will maintain their certification each year through a reverification process, and as such will remain diligent in not only maintaining their sustainability practices, but also improving them.
"Both Sodexo and Lehigh University have strong commitments to environmental sustainability with ambitious goals to work toward,” Gallant said. “This certification is important because it showcases our team's commitment to achieving these goals and holds us accountable for our actions.”