Community, Action, Responsiblity, Environment, Sustainability
RISD Dining + Catering is committed to preserving the environment. Whenever possible we use products and practices that have minimal environmental impact and source local ingredients; we work to reduce energy consumption and waste; we are committed to having a positive presence in the RISD and Providence communities.

Recent DINING CARES initiatives include:

· Closed-loop cold-beverage program: we provide students with (reduced cost) containers that can be used in any of the dining facilities. The container mayb either be refilled or returned to be washed and reused.

· Cold-beverage cups made of corn

· Biodegradable to-go containers

· “Mug it up at The Met”
Use a ceramic mug instead of a paper cup and get free refills! Students may take mugs to go and return them...eventually!

· “Eco-logic Cleaning System”
RISD Dining + Catering was one of the first schools in the Northeast to use this system, which increased our green rating in cleaning chemicals by 80%.

· In 2006 RISD won recycle the bottles and cans division of Recyclemania, the college and university recycling competition.

· Food drives support the Rhode Island Community Food Bank

· Planning a city-garden initative