Current Efforts
Virginia Tech’s motto is Ut Prosim (That I May Serve), and as part of the university, we are committed to supporting the local community and preserving our resources.
Here are a few ways Housing and Dining Services is doing its part to support the local community and preserve our resources:
- Dining has partnered with students to donate unused food from our campus restaurants to a local Salvation Army food center.
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The annual Flex Out Hunger program with Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity helps students donate unused Flex Dollars to the Montgomery County Emergency Assistance Program.
A student donates to charity
- The toilet paper used in all housing and dining facilities contains 10% recycled content, paper towels contain 100% recycled content and the black trashcan liners used in the restrooms are made of 60% recycled content.
- D2 and Shultz Dining Center will be "trayless" for the 2008-09 school year, which is estimated to reduce food waste by approximately 30%.
- All showerheads were replaced from 3 gallons per minute to 2 gallons per minute pressure-compensating, adjustable showerheads as part of the Water Management Inc. recommendations in their report, reducing water flow by 33%.
- Every room has a recycling bin.
- Mattresses are refurbished instead of being fully replaced on an approximate five-year cycle.
- Cardboard recycling sites are available around campus and more are provided during fall move-in.
- There is currently sustainable carpet in the common areas of Slusher, Vawter, Miles, Newman, Lee, Pritchard, Barringer, and O'Shaughnessy.
- 8-15% of the food served in the dining centers is grown locally.
- RHF participates in Recyclemania each year to increase awareness of campus recycling and waste minimization.
- The Office of Residence Life has initiated a "Go Green! Picnic" as a part of Hokie F6 to raise awareness about sustainability among on-campus residents.
See our plans for the future
