Client Partnerships Key to Realizing Environmental Goals

Environmental sustainability at ARAMARK is as much about working with clients as it is about the company itself. ARAMARK’s unique capabilities offer clients access to expert environmental advice and operational solutions.

“We need to act on our ability and our opportunity to provide environmentally preferable practices in the services we offer our clients around the world,” explained Rick Martella, Vice President of Corporate Affairs for ARAMARK. “These can range from basic consumer awareness programs to sophisticated solutions. Regardless of the solution, it must involve significant client collaboration and alignment to bring both ARAMARK and our client closer to meeting their environmental goals and objectives.”

Clients and consumers around the world are demanding more environmentally responsible products and services from their service providers. And even though environmental initiatives may carry a cost premium, the demand for environmental solutions has remained, even in the world’s current sluggish economy.

“If we can make strategic investments to deliver these environmental solutions, we can strengthen and grow our business, both with existing clients, and with new prospects,” said Val Carter, Corporate Responsibility and Operational Training Director for ARAMARK United Kingdom.

ARAMARK capabilities cover a broad range of services.  The company has successfully implemented environmentally friendly programs with clients in areas like waste management, energy management, packaging, and sustainable procurement. Our environmental initiatives are implemented on both a local level, and on an enterprise-wide basis.

For example, ARAMARK has developed a partnership with Monterey Bay Aquarium’s Seafood Watch program. The aquarium is helping us develop practices to guide the supply, purchase and consumption of sustainable seafood, for both our employees and our customers.

We’re also working with clients on programs like trayless dining in Higher Education facilities, outstanding recycling programs at sports stadiums and other locations, and energy and water conservation at business and industry locations.

The environmental solutions we develop are innovative and make an impact. When researching trayless dining, for example, we measured food waste from 186,000 meals served at more than 25 higher education institutions and found that when trays were removed, a 25 to 30 percent reduction in food waste per person was realized.

By providing environmental solutions that result in a genuine impact, we can honor our commitment, help our clients meet theirs, and create a better future.