Sustainability
GW Dining works in close partnership with the Office of Sustainability to ensure our environmental footprint is as minimal as possible. Through direct discussions with student advocates and the Sustainable GW Team, we have identified the following areas of opportunity to focus our sustainability efforts towards:
Reusable To-Go Containers for Residential Dining
OZZI reusable containers were introduced to campus Fall 2024. This initiative was spearheaded by the GW Dining Student Advisory Panel, as student advocates expressed the desire for a reusable to-go option at the all-you-care-to-eat dining halls, in addition to the fully compostable to-go containers that are being used across campus at retail locations.
Students will pay a $5 deposit to receive a token, acquire a to-go box in exchange for their token at the front cash register, and simply fill the container with food from the line. Then when they are finished, they can bring the soiled container back, dispense it into one of the OZZI receptacle bins and get a token in return to start the cycle all over again.
Eliminating Food Waste
GW Dining operates back-of-house composting at Shenkman Hall, Thurston Hall, Pelham Commons, University Student Center, and District House Dining.
Over 20,000 pounds of food waste are diverted from landfills every month.
Cutting Single-Use Plastics
GW Dining is committed to working towards compliance with the Single Use Plastics Elimination Policy.
Quick service locations and the to-go option in our three all-you-care-to-eat dining facilities utilize plant-based compostable containers, utensils, cups, lids, and straws.