UTA Recognized for Composting, Reducing Food Waste

The University of Texas at Arlington recently won the 2021 U.S. Environmental Protection Agency’s (EPA) Food Recovery Challenge National Award for Leadership.

The award recognized UT Arlington’s efforts to reduce food waste through various Dining Services programs, including composting. The University has also collaborated with EPA and other organizations to host webinars on food waste reduction, sustainable dining and food security.

UT Arlington previously won the EPA award in 2014 and 2018.

Meghna Tare, UTA chief sustainability officer, said food waste is an emerging issue with environmental, social and economic impacts, and UT Arlington recognizes the importance of minimizing food waste on campus.

“In 2021, UTA launched a Food Recovery Network chapter, the largest student-led movement fighting food waste and working to end hunger,” Tare said. “UTA recovers food from Dining Services and tracks data using the network’s food-tracking forms.

“In addition, a student-led research project proposed a redesigned system for food entering and leaving dining halls. It targets how food items are selected, grown, served, handled and disposed. The researchers also conducted a survey to explore including more meat alternatives to increase sustainability.”

Dining Services implemented a Waste Not Program to eliminate and reduce production waste and expired food. Dining associates, who are trained to minimize waste in all operations, measure waste daily and complete weekly Waste Not logs. In September 2020, Dining Services reduced more than 790 pounds of waste, which saved over $1,493.

UTA’s award-winning composting program composts food waste from on-campus and off-campus dining services, coffee shops and hospitals, as well as yard waste from campus grounds. The University uses this compost as mulch and soil amendment on campus grounds and in a community garden. It also hosts master composter training in partnership with the city of Arlington. In 2018-19, the program composted 92,177 pounds of materials.

“The success of sustainability initiatives requires engagement, participation and collaboration at all levels of the University, across campus and beyond,” said John Hall, UT Arlington vice president for administration and campus operations. “We are making great progress within the institution and through partnerships with other organizations, and our efforts have resulted in significant recognition for the institution under the leadership of Meghna Tare.”