Current Bucknell University Dining Sustainability Initiatives

Cooking Oil & Bio-diesel Fuel

 Since 2005, all of Eat n’ Park Hospitality Group’s cooking oil has been trans-fat free. As of 2007, all our used cooking oil from the dining areas of the Bucknell campus is collected by Valley Protein for processing into bio-diesel fuel. Biodiesel is a clean burning fuel for diesel engines. Biodiesel has a lower toxicity compared to petroleum diesel and lower emission of carbon monoxide, and emits much less particulate matter and carbon monoxide than petroleum diesel fuel.  A number of vehicles operated by Eat n’ Park Hospitality group are operated with biodiesel.  

Biodegradable & Recycled Products

 Bucknell University Dining Services supports using environmentally friendly packaging and are working hard to limit excessive packaging as well as utilize compostable products wherever possible. The resident dining and retail programs offer biodegradable to-go containersas well as recycled paper napkins.  We also offer biodegradable service ware in our catering department.  A large percentage of our marketing materials are printed on recycled paper.

Reusable Mug Program

 In partnership with the Environmental Club and the Facilities Department Bucknell University Dining Services has developed the “Be a Refiller” Program.  This is a program where for only $1.00 guests purchase a sticker they place on their own 16 oz mug.  This sticker entitles the owner to have a price reduction on 16 oz mugs of coffee at both the Bison and the Library Café. 

Going Trayless

 Our program is modeled after those of 100 institutions of higher education in the United States and Canada.  We have removed trays from the resident dining program two days per week.  Of the nearly 4000 meals that are served on Tuesdays and Thursdays we estimate 98% are served without trays.  We further estimate a reduction of nearly 150 lbs of tray waste per day from this initiative.  On campuses nationwide, this initiative has proven to reduce water usage, food waste and electricity.

Locally Grown & FarmSource

 One of our more prominent programs related to sustainability is the bi-annual Local & Organics Food Dinner.  This meal is very popular among students and faculty and features local product offerings on the menus at the Bostwick Marketplace.  The meal features items from growers, farms, dairies and purveyors from the local community. We also have the opportunity to introduce theses ‘supplier partners’ to the BucknellUniversity community at the event. 

Here at Bucknell we purchase 25% of our produce through our FarmSource program, which is our local foods program.  All farms and purveyors, in the FarmSource program, are from within 150 miles of BucknellUniversity.    

E-Comment Card

 Beginning in spring of 2008 Bucknell University Dining offered our guests an opportunity for ‘paperless’ comment input and response.  Guest comments were sent via email and responded to with our E-comment board.  Utilizing a digital picture frame we display there responses in a display case outside the Bostwick Marketplace.

Fair Trade Coffee

 In the Bostwick Marketplace and the Bison Retail Operations we offer Fair Trade Coffee. Bucknell University Students and Faculty support a specific coffee plantation and Community in Nicaragua. In the Bostwick, we offer this ‘Bucknell Brigade’ coffee. In the Bison we offer at least one Starbucks Fair Trade coffee at all of our locations. 

Student Sustainability Coordinator

 Starting in the Fall of 2008, Bucknell University Dining developed the position of Student Sustainability Coordinator.  Modeled after a existing program at CornellUniversity, the role of this position will be to help define new initiatives important to the student body, and facilitate an ongoing relationship via dialogue with the University.

Sustainability Councils

 Within in the Eat n’ Park Hospitality group there exists a Greening Council that sets policies and ensures that we are following the best practices for the environment.  There is also a similar group here at Bucknell University. We have active representation in both groups which we believe displays our commitment to sustainable dining here at BucknellUniversity.