The canteen tender committee, consisting of student and employee representatives from AAU, is just now putting the final touches on the requirements for the new tender. But it can already be revealed that there will be a greater focus on sustainability than we have seen before.

"With the current canteen supplier, we see a high level of sustainability in the operation, but of course the sales parameter has weighed heavily, as there must be a healthy business in running a canteen at AAU. When we have the opportunity to provide a subsidy in the new canteen range, we can better set demands for more sustainability, as well as set demands for some of the parameters that matter to the users at AAU, even if it cannot necessarily be seen as black number on the bottom line”. Says Mary Christensen, Department Manager Facility Service, AAU.

Some of the demands that the committee i.e. have talked about are:

• Environmental labeling requirements
• Requirement for silver in the Organic Food Label + annual sustainability report
• Requirement for a subscription or ordering scheme (if enough people want it)
• Requirements for food waste

In addition, it is desired to be able to choose vegan and vegetarian dishes on a daily basis, which is also seen in the current canteen. In general, there is a focus on variety in the selection of the canteen, and perhaps even variation from canteen to canteen, as there are different wishes and needs at the various canteens in Aalborg East, Aalborg City, Copenhagen and Esbjerg.

As something new in the offer, there are i.e. requirement that the future AAU canteen can explain how they, as suppliers, will work with sustainability in relation to the 17 UN global goals.

Three other sustainable initiatives in the canteen operation at AAU

A plastic glass that can be used again and again… and again

A new initiative that sees the light of day in the canteen is a coffee mug and water glass made from recycled plastic. The glasses and mugs are durable and it is expected that they can handle up to 2000 trips in the dishwasher before they start to look worn. They are then sold back to the supplier, who granulates the plastic and recycles the same plastic for new glasses.

One of the advantages of the new glasses and mugs, in addition to sustainability in production, is that they are very light compared to a regular mug. glass. This means a big difference in everyday life for those who have to handle the washing of glasses and mugs in the large industrial dishwashers, as their lifting becomes easier and easier.

Disposable cutlery is being phased out

All disposable cutlery has been phased out over a longer period and is e.g., not available directly in the canteen. It is still possible to purchase it when ordering. However, it should be noted that what you order is of sustainable quality.

Water in jugs rather than bottled water

Bottled water is phased out together with disposable cutlery and replaced by water in jugs.

If you want to know more about the canteen and the sustainable operation, you are welcome to contact Campus Service.