What We Do

Supporting the larger mission of the University, HDH strongly encourages sustainable living and dining.

Making the best use of natural resources, minimizing negative impact on our environment, and satisfying our customers are our main objectives.

Here’s a short list of what we’re doing this year:

Housing

• Apartments for four residential communities are currently being constructed or remodeled, all of which will be a minimum of LEED Silver, and most are on track to apply for Gold or Platinum certification.
• HDH offers Green Grants to UC San Diego residents and HDH staff. Participants can make their own sustainable ideas happen through Housing or Dining projects, and have them paid for or be reimbursed.
• Each resident receives a reusable recycling bag so that recyclables can be collected, and taken to the dumpsters located near your residence.
• Used furniture is handed down to non-profit organizations and not placed in landfills. When possible, we recover and re-use within Housing or Dining facilities.
• The HDH EcoNauts are working with Res Life offices to help students green their lifestyle.

Dining

• Behind the scenes, Major Planet continues to work toward a true composting program. Dining Services and the City of San Diego will be educating DS employees about what can/cannot be composted, and together, the group is committed to launching the program in Fall 2010.
• Two HDH restaurants have been or are being remodeled (Pines and Roots) and are required to meet at least Silver LEED certification. Goody’s Place & Market is currently being reviewed for LEED certification.
• Dining serves only Fair Trade Certified coffee, tea, and sugar at all HDH locations. There will also be at least one Fair Trade option for chocolates.
• Exclusive use of Certified Humane Cage-Free Eggs at all HDH Dining and Place & Market Locations.
• We've eliminated plastic utensils and replaced them with re-usable flatware.
• Toby’s Spot: a re-use effort between Dining and Housing. Take your meals to-go on permanent dishware, and when you’re done leave them at Toby’s Spot, located in each ResHall or apartment ground floor elevator area. Dining staff picks up the dirty dishes. Nothing to throw away, and just as easy as using plastic!
• Phased out plastic bags in all Dining and Retail locations.
• Hydration Stations are now chilled, filtered water. Free to you! Help eliminate the plastic bottle waste.
• Farm 2U brings the farmer to campus and the ability for students to purchase local, organic and sustainably harvested items with Dining Dollars.