This fall, M Dining is taking additional steps to provide both a safe environment for diners and a safe workplace for its employees in light of the pandemic. And a long-running sustainability initiative is a key part of the safety effort. In addition to face covering requirements at the University, increased sanitation and safety processes, and more, M Dining will expand the use of reusable to-go containers at dining facilities across campus this fall. Each student with a meal plan will be provided a reusable to-go container, reusable cutlery set, and reusable hot/cold beverage tumbler. At each meal, students exchange their dirty reusable dining items for a clean set. The dirty reusables are washed and sanitized in the dining hall’s commercial dishwashers and are then ready for another use! Although the dining halls will have some seating available at reduced capacity, the reusable to-go containers enable diners to take their meals to go and eat outside the dining hall while practicing physical distancing. Not only do these reusable to-go containers minimize waste from single-use containers and products and help mitigate the spread of COVID-19, they are also microwave-safe, so it’s easy to enjoy a hot meal on the go! The use of reusable containers allows diners to participate in sustainable practices while minimizing waste and social distancing to keep our campus population healthy.
Learn more about M Dining’s Fall 2020 Opening Plan and the steps being taken to ensure safety while continuing the commitment to sustainable practices.