UC Santa Cruz Dining was awarded Green Business certification from the City of Santa Cruz in a presentation by Mayor Emily Reilly in April. Through this certification, the city recognizes that UCSC, with major contribution from UCSC Dining, embraces cooperative solutions that protect the community's economic and environmental resources.
Clint Jefferies, food service manager at Crown/Merrill Dining Hall, was instrumental in ensuring that the dining hall and Banana Joe's café met the guidelines for certification. Now Jefferies is working closely with the other restaurant and dining hall managers to prepare them for their inspections.
The Monterey Bay Area Green Business Program is a partnership of environmental agencies, utilities, and nonprofit organizations that recognizes businesses that operate in an environmentally responsible way. To be "green" certified, participants must be in compliance with all regulations and meet program standards for conserving resources, preventing pollution, and minimizing waste.
By becoming a green certified business, UC Santa Cruz Dining enforces and promises to continue:
. Compliance with all applicable environmental regulations as stipulated by the Monterey Bay Area Green Business Program
. Conservation of energy, water, and other resources
. Implementation of sound environmental practices that prevent pollution and waste generation
. Environmentally responsible business practices within our community
