Hot on the heels of announcing Chartwells as the preferred bidder for the new campus catering contract, we are thrilled that the team here at the University were awarded the U Dine Award for sustainability last month. Beating off strong contenders from the universities of Chester, Glasgow and Bath, this news could not come at a better time. 

Our new campus catering contract has sustainability at its heart: nearly 70% of participants in our consultation exercise told us that it was very important or important that our catering partners share our vision to become one of the most sustainable and inclusive universities in the world.

Just some of the reason why we earned this award:

• All packaging we use is compostable and processed here on site with the aerobic digestor

• We hold monthly free plant-based Social Kitchens to teach students about avoiding food waste, batch cooking and eating more sustainably 

• Our university conference centre operates as a single-use-plastic-free venue

• We partner with Too Good to Go and Olio to minimise food waste

• We hold the highest-possible Sustainable Restaurant Association accreditation