Sustainability Initiatives
We don’t just talk about sustainability - we take action. Check out some of the ways we're reducing our environmental impact and creating a positive impact on our community.
Working Toward Zero Waste
We proudly support the sustainability goals of the One VCU Sustainability Plan. Here are a few active initiatives.
Robust Recycling
We recycle cardboard, metal, paper, glass, and accepted plastic products, and we recycle uncommon items—such as batteries and printer cartridges—wherever possible.
Collaborative Composting
We work with Nope Composting Company to collect organic materials—including food waste and compostable service items such as napkins and wooden stir sticks—to be composted into useable, nutrient-rich soil amendments.
Proactive Prevention
We use tracking and forecasting tools to proactively identify food waste trends in order to alter our preparation accordingly.
More Ways to Go Green with VCU Dine
Sip Smarter
Hydrate with our filtered refill stations-don't forget your reuseable water bottle!
ReusePass
Get your food to-go in a reusable container!
Babylon Micro-Farm
We utilize fresh produce grown in our onsite hydronic farm.
Showcasing Our Local Partner Relationships
VCU Dine sources food from many local farmers, growers, and distributors. Our partners change throughout the year depending on seasonality and availability.
Our Local Sourcing List is Always Growing!
- Mainstreet farmstead - Stuart Draft, Virginia
- Mt. Crawford Creamery - Mt. Crawford, Virginia
- Birdie's Pimento Cheese - South Hills, Virginia
- Back Pocket Provisions - Richmond, Virginia
- Route 11 Potato Chip - Mt. Jackson, Virginia
- Firehook of Virginia INC. - Chantilly, Virginia
- Homestead Creamery - Wirtz, Virginia
- Little Sesame - Washington, Virginia
- Wadel's Farm Wagon Rocky Branch Farm - Mt. Crawford, Virginia
- NoBull Burger - Charlottesville, Virginia
- Scratch Pasta Co. - Lynchburg, Virginia
- Belmont Peanut - Courtland, Virginia
- Wadel'sFarm Wagon Green Acre's Farm - Mt. Crawford, Virginia
- Salsa Don Sebastian - Richmond, Virginia
- Mad Hatter Foods - Charlottesville, Virginia
- Found Market - Charlottesville, Virginia
- Wildwoods- Falling Bark Farm - Berryville, Virginia
- Sugar Tree Country store & Sugar House - McDonnell, Virginia
- Wildwoods- Falling Bark Farm - Berryville, Virginia
- Twin Oaks Community Food - Louisa, Virginia
- Virginia Vinegar Works - Charlottesville, Virginia
- Bennett Family Farms - Red House, Virginia
Your Choices Can Make a Daily Impact
Our goal is to make it easy to offer you nutritious, environmentally, and socially conscious options wherever possible.
