Your Sodexo Campus Dining Team is dedicated to sustainability. We know we can all work together to make a positive impact right here at Manchester University. In addition to the many initiatives we take on as a company, we have implemented the following programs specific to Manchester University.

Choose to Reuse

Choose to Reuse is our to-go box program. This program works through reusing to-go containers instead of having throw away containers. By utilizing this program we are helping save the environment one container at a time!  

This program is simple. Students can purchase a to-go box for $4.99 with their Flex money, Spartan Cash, cash or card. Students can then return their to-go box for a new container, or can receive a coin to later trade in for a to-go box. If a student loses their to-go box or needs one without having a box or coin, they will need to purchase a new to-go box.  

Xpressnap 

Xpressnap dispensers are another solution to reducing energy and waste. They save 30% in paper over traditional napkin dispensing mechanisms. The great thing about these dispensers is that they help the environment while helping to keep costs down. The napkins are made of 100% recycled paper and the dispenser will encourage customers to take (and waste) less napkins. Energy is saved because less power is used to recycle paper products than to create them from virgin material. 

According to Xpressnap, enough is saved through utilizing recycle napkins to power 600 American homes for an entire year! More than half a million gallons of oil was saved – 38 tanker trucks worth – and 41 tons of pollutants were kept out of the environment. 4,131 cubic yards of paper were diverted from landfill space. This is enough to cover an entire football field with a two and a half foot deep stack of paper 

Apex 

As part of its commitment to increase the sustainability of its operations, Dining Services uses Ecolab’s Apex™ dishwashing system. Apex combines technology and products designed to save water and energy, minimize the impact of products on the environment, and has a built-in method of measuring results. Apex uses a unique combination of detergents, rinse additives, equipment and consultative services to address the operational challenges in foodservice operations. The Apex management approach uses a tablet PC and wireless technology to communicate with the system’s controller to download, process and analyze data to establish each foodservice operation’s “rack-to-guest ratio.” By monitoring and improving this ratio, the system helps reduce the amount of water and energy used at each facility, and improve total operational efficiency. 

All locations will receive the benefits of using less water, energy and labor, thus minimizing their operations’ overall impact on the environment. 

In addition, the Apex system further supports Dining Services’ sustainability initiatives with non-caustic chemistry and 95% less packaging material than current methods. Apex products come in a compact solid form that significantly reduces transportation shipments compared to bulkier liquid detergents. 

Trayless 

We are a trayless campus at Manchester University. 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. Trayless dining also reduces the amount of water and detergents needed to wash trays - and saves energy too! 

Sustainable Seafood 

Sodexo is committed to ensuring healthy fish stocks are on the menu for many years. This commitment will help our health, our global communities, and our environment. Fish is an important part of healthy diets and constitutes 17% of the global population’s protein intake. Fish and seafood also support the livelihoods of 10-12% of the world’s population, most of them in the developing world. Many of the global marine fish stocks today are threatened or depleted, making the way we source seafood critically important to the health of the ocean and the survival of marine fish stocks. 

Global Sustainability 

Sodexo, world leader in Quality of Life services, reinforces its position as one of the most sustainable companies in the world by earning Gold Class distinction in RobecoSAM’s annual “Sustainability Yearbook 2019”. For the twelfth consecutive year, Sodexo was ranked as the top-scoring company in its sector for its excellent sustainability performance, scoring 75% compared to an industry average of 16%. 

This recognition reflects Sodexo’s commitment to the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) which underpins the company’s Corporate Responsibility roadmap, Better Tomorrow 2025. Better Tomorrow 2025 consists of nine robust commitments designed to reinforce the culture of responsible behavior throughout Sodexo’s business and address the company’s important role in tackling the global issues of acting for a hunger-free world, improving gender equality and preventing food waste. These nine commitments are fully aligned with the SDG’s and each commitment has a measurable objective allowing Sodexo to constantly monitor progress.

Local Farms 

We work hard to get as many ingredients locally as possible. Our professionally-trained chefs write our menus to take advantage of the fresh fruits and vegetables that are naturally in season.