Sustainability

Sustainability in housing and dining

UHDS is a campus leader in sustainability, pioneering innovative programs that have reduced waste in our facilities. Learn more about how we're holding ourselves accountable to action and operating responsibly with our resources today, to ensure our best possible future.

"Planting It Forward"

To support our goal of reaching 50% plant-based menus by 2027, we're kicking things off with a month-long showcase of plant-forward menu items in April 2025. Dishes include vegetarian and vegan options, and items that use less animal products. The campaign is focused on meeting our dining program's larger goals of supporting positive health outcomes for our customers and the environment. Look for new, chef-created specials in our restaurants, or start with our menu guides to vegetarian and vegan options on campus -- you just might find a new and delicious favorite.

Eco2Go reusable food container program

Since fall 2015, UHDS restaurants have provided reusable Eco2Go containers as the primary take-out container. Students, staff and faculty can get a meal to-go in an Eco2Go container, then empty and return at any dining center or residence hall, or at other return locations around campus. Our Eco2Go program has prevented millions of disposable containers from going to the landfill since its inception.

Reusable cups initiative

UHDS is partnering with the ASOSU Sustainability Council to reduce landfill waste in the form of disposable cups and encourage use of reusable drink containers. Since January 2023, a 25-cent charge has been added to all drinks that use disposable, single-use cups. Guests in UHDS cafes are encouraged to bring their empty, clean containers every time they stop in. Reusable containers are available for purchase in select campus cafes and stores, or contact OSUsed or Community Engagement & Leadership for discounted or free containers.

Water and energy conservation and waste management in Dining Services

  • Implementation of the LeanPath system to track and combat food waste

  • Phasing out polystyrene for use of compostable plastics

  • Use of local manufacturer (Atacama) for consumables

  • Participation in composting and recycling programs to divert waste from landfills; compost all pre- and post-consumer food waste

  • Waste cooking oil is reused for biodiesel

  • Increasing partnerships with local vendors

  • Focus on sustainable, ethical ingredient procurement, including sourcing more locally raised, pastured meats (i.e. Calabaloo’s only uses NW Natural Beef)

  • Offering a variety of vegan and vegetarian options; minimum 30% plant-based food options in restaurants and cafes, with the goal to increase to 50%

  • Leftover, usable food is used in reduced cost "Food For Thought" meals or donated to the Linn-Benton Food Share

  • Member of the Food Alliance, an organization which promotes environmental and social responsibility for the food system

  • Recycling of food container waste (i.e., soft plastic, wine corks, beer bottle caps, glass, appropriate hard plastics, cardboard, paper)

  • Replacement of old equipment with Energy Star-rated and water-conserving appliances

  • High standards for green-certified cleaning and sanitizing chemicals

Operations and Facilities

  • Use green construction and renovation standards

    • Targeting LEED Gold Equivalency

    • Installation of dual-flush toilets in new construction

    • Replacement of windows as priority

  • Upgrading lighting fixtures to LED in existing buildings and installing LED lighting in new buildings

  • Purchase of all-electric maintenance vehicle to replace existing vehicle

  • Transitioning to electric landscaping equipment

  • Use of high / 100% recycled content carpet tiles

  • Scrap metal recycling through OSU Campus Recycling

  • Use of low flow shower heads in residence halls

  • Use recycled toner cartridges and recycling of used toner cartridges

  • Installation of variable frequency drives on electric motors

  • Solar hot water system installed on the ILLC rooftop