Earth Day takes place each year on 22 April and since the first event in 1970, is now recognised as a global event. Earthday.org leads on transformational environmental change, seeking bold, creative and innovative solutions to many of the environmental challenges faced today.
The Commercial & Catering Services team and colleagues from the wider Estates & Facilities Directorate, and seeking engagement from the returning Campus community, will be contributing to the spirit of Earth Day ambitions with a number of initiatives on Tuesday 25 April.
The Student Union Building’s RockSalt Food Court already sees some 56% of the varied and popular options, being vegan and vegetarian friendly. Thinking about how land and water are used:
- From Tuesday and going forward, Red meat (beef & lamb) will be removed from the Food Court menus.
- A gradual increase in the number of meat free options to be made available, though where meat is used, chicken, turkey, pork & fish, to be from sustainable and environmentally accredited sources.
- Though a move to cutlery made from paper has seen a positive change in the type of waste generated, the introduction of reusable (steel) cutlery, will further reduce waste and the use of disposables.
- A shift from individual sauce portions to refillable pump dispensers and sauce bottles, will commence from Tuesday with a ‘running down’ of existing sauce portion stock and no further purchases.
- At the earliest opportunity and as soon as the updates to the ordering system are completed, the introduction of reusable baskets, bowls, and food containers for ‘eat-in’ orders.
Across the 4 Aberbean Cafés, MacRobert, Hard Back Café, IMS & Suttie, the default ‘milk offer for the day, will be Oat Milk at no extra cost. Dairy (and Soya) will still be available for those who request it.
Elsewhere on campus and continuing to recognise Earth Day, external lighting around King’s College Chapel and the Crown Tower will be switched off over the weekend Friday 28, Saturday 29 and Sunday 30 April.