Two Western Kentucky University dining options receive Green Restaurant certification

Western Kentucky University (WKU) announced two new Green Restaurant certifications on campus in a news release published August 27. Hilltopper Hall and the Chick-fil-A located in Downing Student Union earned the designation by achieving enough points according to the Green Restaurant Association's guidelines which monitor things like water and energy use, along with food sourcing. The two new certifications bring the total number of restaurants with the designation of Level One Certified Green Restaurant to three, joining the Fresh Food Company which was certified in 2019.

As the only university in Kentucky to have certified Green Restaurants on campus, WKU plays a leadership role in sustainability, according to President Timothy C. Caboni. "WKU has yet again demonstrated our strong commitment to sustainability through another extraordinary sustainability achievement in our Dining Services," Caboni stated, adding, "But it doesn't stop here. We will continue working together to create dining options that are both better for our environment and healthier for our faculty, staff and students."

WKU's Director of Sustainability, Dr. Leslie North, also was quoted in the news release, saying,"I can’t think of a better way to demonstrate what can become possible through teamwork and a steadfast commitment to integrating sustainability into all aspects of campus life for our students. We are excited by this recognition and can't wait to begin pursuing our next sustainability endeavor."

The Chick-fil-A located in Downing Student Union is only the second of the company's 2,700 locations to receive the Green Restaurant certification. The Green Restaurant Association offers five levels of certification, with requirements set for each level that include recycling and composting, staff education, energy and water usage, and packaging materials used for food. The requirements also include earning additional points as a restaurant continues to make improvements to its operations. As restaurants make changes to improve their environmental impacts, they earn two, three, and four star status to their level one designation and can eventually earn a "SustainaBuild" badge.