Philadelphia, PA, April 15, 2010– As the nation celebrates the 40th birthday of Earth Day, ARAMARK Higher Education, a world leader in providing professional services to more than 600 colleges, universities and conference centers throughout North America, is pleased to share the positive results of its national Green Stakes commitments announced last year during Earth Week.

In 2009, ARAMARK committed to:

• Implement an energy and water conservation program at every partner campus;
  
• Purchase only paper products made with recycled content;
  
• Utilize green cleaning products at all locations;
  
• Divert 100 percent of fryer oil;
  
• Increase the level of sustainable food purchases by at least 5 percent per year.

The environmental and social impact of the Green Stakes commitments includes: 

• Reduction of approximately 170 million pounds of emissions through implementation of energy and water conservation programs at many campus dining, facility and conference center operations -- equivalent to the annual emissions from 14,744 passenger vehicles;
  
• Conversion of $25 million of paper products to recycled content paper products, supporting closed-loop waste management processes;
  
• Utilization of all daily green cleaning products, aligning with green cleaning standards outlined in U.S. Green Building Council’s LEED programs, improving indoor environmental health and elevating employee health;
  
• Diversion of 100 percent of nearly 500,000 gallons of fryer oil purchased, resulting in a reduction of approximately 3.5 million pounds of emissions, or the carbon sequestered by 40,000 trees grown for 10 years;
  
• Increased sustainable food purchasing by 28 percent, well beyond the 5 percent goal set in 2009.

Trayless dining, implemented as part of conservation efforts, has yielded excellent results.  More than 65 percent of ARAMARK partner campuses have removed trays from their dining halls, reducing food waste by more than 14 million pounds.  In environmental terms, this translates to reduction or mitigation of approximately 12,700 metric tons of carbon dioxide, which is equivalent to removing over 2,400 passenger vehicles or filling 2,708 football fields with trees for 10 years. 

“We are very pleased with the efforts of our Green Stakes commitments and our environmental initiatives thus far, but we continue to raise the bar higher,” said Chris Stemen, Senior Director of Sustainability and Environmental Stewardship, ARAMARK Higher Education. “Our goal is to continue to support our university partners in their environmental mission, show students how they can positively impact their campus and beyond, and demonstrate ARAMARK’s commitment to conduct business as a socially responsible organization.”   

Conservation Service Projects in Communities Across the Country

ARAMARK is partnering with The Student Conservation Association (SCA), a nationwide conservation force of college and high school students who protect and restore America's parks, forests, refuges, seashores and communities, to celebrate 40 years of Earth Day. 

SCA and ARAMARK will mobilize volunteers, including SCA members and alumni, ARAMARK employees, and community members to complete conservation service projects in nine cities. The events, to be held at urban parks and green spaces in Boston, the San Francisco Bay Area, Chicago, Dallas, Detroit, Houston, Pittsburgh, Seattle and Washington D.C., will include habitat and riparian restoration, tree planting, trail building and maintenance, as well as other projects identified by the participating sites.

“Our new partnership with the Student Conservation Association allows our employees, partners and students to directly impact the environment and communities we serve, while creating awareness around sustainable living and learning,” added Stemen.

Celebrating Earth Day and Earth Week on Hundreds of Campuses

ARAMARK partner campuses throughout North America are participating in several programs and events highlighting environmental stewardship, including:

• “Happy bEARTHday Earth Day” Party:  Special bEARTHday parties, complete with 40th birthday cakes, biodegradable streamers and balloons, are occurring on hundreds of campuses around the country. 
  
• iPledge Program: Students, faculty, staff and guests will make a public commitment to environmental stewardship by ‘pledging’ one or more earth saving activities, such as recycling, turning off lights, composting, using less water, using public transportation and eating sustainable foods.
  
• Reusable To-Go Containers and Mugs:  Many ARAMARK partner campuses are now offering environmentally preferable, reusable to-go containers and mugs in residential dining locations. Reusable to-go containers and mugs are sustainable alternatives to traditional disposable containers and cups.  By focusing on reuse, waste is easily diverted from landfills. 
  
• Dim the Lights-Save Energy: Energy consumption currently accounts for approximately 39 percent of all greenhouse gases emitted, a major impact to the environmental footprint of each and every campus ARAMARK serves. During Earth Week, many dining halls and conference centers will dim or turn off the lights to generate awareness about the importance of reducing energy consumption.
  
• Weigh the Waste-What’s in Your Garbage: Everyone has done it at one time or another…tossed something in the trash without thinking about where it goes or the impact it can have on the environment.  ARAMARK campuses are conducting waste audits to identify types, quantities, and origins of waste, helping the campus community to understand opportunities for waste reduction, recycling and composting.
  
• Bag the Disposable Bag: Paper or plastic? Both paper and plastics bags use our natural resources and lead to pollution.  Many ARAMARK partner campuses are starting a reusable bag program or promoting the existing program they have in place during Earth Week.
  
• Earth Day Green Menu:  Many campuses are offering special, sustainable menu options during Earth Week, incorporating more vegan and vegetarian offerings, fruits, vegetables and nuts.
  
• Conserve to Preserve-Spread the Word: ARAMARK locations will feature posters, flyers and table tents to educate customers on ways to conserve energy, water and food waste in their daily lives. Campuses are large users of these precious resources, which can contribute to climate change, health and well-being, and overall environmental quality.  

About ARAMARK Environmental Stewardship
At ARAMARK, we are committed to protecting and improving the environment. We work to reduce our environmental footprint while offering expertise and practical solutions to thousands of client locations to help them reduce their environmental impacts. Throughout our company, we develop and implement programs that promote sustainability through environment-friendly products and practices, sustainable food & local purchasing options, energy & water conservation efforts and waste management.

About ARAMARK Higher Education
ARAMARK Higher Education is dedicated to excellence in dining, facility, conference center, and stadium and arena services. ARAMARK enhances the living and learning experience and environment for more than 600 colleges and universities throughout North America.  For more information and a list of our services, visit www.aramarkhighered.com.

About ARAMARK
ARAMARK is a leader in professional services, providing award-winning food services, facilities management, and uniform and career apparel to health care institutions, universities and school districts, stadiums and arenas, and businesses around the world. The company is recognized as one of the "World's Most Ethical Companies" by the Ethisphere Institute, as the industry leader in FORTUNE magazine's "World's Most Admired Companies," and as one of America's Largest Private Companies by both FORTUNE and Forbes magazines. ARAMARK seeks to responsibly address issues that matter to its clients, customers, employees and communities by focusing on employee advocacy, environmental stewardship, health and wellness, and community involvement. Headquartered in Philadelphia, ARAMARK has approximately 255,000 employees serving clients in 22 countries. Learn more at www.twitter.com/aramarknews.

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