Sustainability
Campus Initiatives
As a guest, it is easy to make smart environmental choices when you dine at a NazDining outlet. We know today's college students want to do the right thing for the planet and we also understand you lead busy lives, so your NazDining chefs and managers do a lot of the work for you behind the scenes!
Our team is committed to providing you with an exceptional dining experience that is both good for you and the planet from before you dine with us to after you leave. We do everything from purchasing local seasonal produce whenever possible to reducing food waste.
We support the on-campus Oak Tree Food Pantry with donations and unused food. Swipe for Hunger program: Since launching in 2023, Swipe Out Hunger has provided more than 150 meal plans to support students facing food insecurity. In the past year alone, the program distributed over 50 meal plans, with each plan offering 20 meal swipes.
Dine Green –Green Restaurant Certified
The Dining Commons at Lourdes and Kearney is a 3 Star Certified Green Restaurant! Our sustainable practices are verified by the Green Restaurant Association, a national nonprofit organization helping restaurants become more environmentally sustainable since 1990. Our sustainability steps have been measured against the GRA’s science-based certification standards in energy, water, waste, disposables, chemicals, and food. In total, we have implemented 41 environmental steps to earn 193.26 GreenPoints™. Click here to learn more!
Local Partnerships
We use local sourcing all throughout our dining locations. NazDining sources 30% of purchases from local vendors. Local products are procured from farms and providers located within 250 miles of Nazareth University.
- Finger Lakes Coffee Roasters
- Donuts Delite
- SoHo Bagels
- Pittsford Farms Dairy & Ice Cream
- General Mills
- Red Jacket Cider
- Jenn's Cookies
- Palmer Foods
- Zweigles Hot Dogs
- Chobani Yogurt
- Rich's
- Upstate Farms
- Hershey's Ice Cream
- Holy Cow Cookies
- Leo's Bakery
- Boulevard Produce
- Pepsi
- Sweet Sammie Jane's
- Get Caked
Choose To Use Green Container Program
For a one-time purchase of $5, you can get a reusable Green Container to use for your meals. Instead of using a disposable to-go container, fill your Green Container with your meal, enjoy it wherever you go, and return it when you’re finished.
Every time you return your used container, you can exchange it for a clean one and continue using the program. It’s an easy way to make a difference, one meal at a time!
Step 1: Purchase Your Green Container
Make a one-time purchase of $5 at the front desk to get your reusable Green Container.
Step 2: Fill It with Your Meal of Choice
Use your Green Container when getting a meal to go from the Dining Commons. Fill it with your favorite meal and take it with you!
Step 3: Return Your Container
When you’re finished, return your used Green Container to the designated return bin in the Dining Commons.
Step 4: Get a Clean Container
When you’re ready for your next meal to go, exchange your used container for a clean Green Container at the front desk in the Dining Commons.
Then repeat!
Green Container FAQs
Do I have to purchase a new container every time?
Click Enter to see the detailsNo! The $5 purchase is a one-time cost. You can continue using the program by returning your used container and receiving a clean one. .
Where can I use my Green Container?
Click Enter to see the detailsGreen Containers are available for use with meals to go from the Dining Commons.
Where do I return my Green Container?
Click Enter to see the detailsReturn your used container to the designated Green Container return bin at the front desk in the Dining Commons.
Do I need to wash my container before returning it?
Click Enter to see the detailsNo. Simply empty any leftover food from your container and return it to the designated return bin. The containers are cleaned before they are reused.
What happens after I return my container?
Click Enter to see the detailsYour returned container is collected, cleaned, and made available for another meal. You can then get a clean Green Container when you’re ready for your next meal to go.
Make the Switch
Skip the disposable container and Choose to Reuse! For just $5, you can make a simple change that helps reduce waste on campus.
Choose to Reuse. Eat on the go. Make a difference.
Composting
Food waste in landfills creates methane, a greenhouse gas which is 21x more potent than CO2. (http://www.epa.gov) Our priority is to reduce food waste. We compost food waste to reduce greenhouse gas emissions; also, we enhance and amend soil health by improving soil structure, enhancing micro-organism content, increasing drought tolerance, and reducing the need for water and fertilizers. Our dining locations, from retail operations to the Dining Commons, composts 100% of pre-consumer waste. The Dining Commons also engages in 100% post-consumer composting. Through these efforts, Naz Dining can divert tons of waste per month from landfills and create compost to be used across campus through Waste Management.
Trayless Dining
We do not use trays on our campus. Customers without trays typically waste less food and beverages. It is also a healthier approach to eating, as we all know that at times our eyes are bigger than our stomach. Tray-less dining also reduces the amount of water and detergents needed to wash trays - and saves energy, too!
Xprss Nap
Xpress Nap Dispensers save energy and waste. Not only are the napkins are made of 100% recycled paper, the dispensers encourage customers to take (and waste) fewer napkins. Energy is saved because less power is used to recycle paper products than to create them from virgin material.
Recycling
We recycle the following products: cardboard, glass, steel, aluminum, paper, plastic, and e-waste. All our napkins and paper products are made from recyclable materials. We also recycle our cooking oil into biodiesel!
