Food
Making sustainable food choices is great for the planet. Discover our commitment to reducing the negative impacts of food and how you can join in with our sustainable food mission.
Play your part in protecting the planet
Help us reduce the negative impacts of food.
The United Nations calculate that farming and food production causes around a third of global greenhouse gas emissions. Making sustainable choices when we eat is therefore a brilliant way to fight climate change.
But we know food and farming practices aren't just bad for the environment. Some food products and services can also have negative ethical and social impacts.
Find out what we are doing across our campuses to reduce the negative impact of the food and catering services we provide. You can also discover ways to lessen your environmental, ethical and social impact.
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs)
Our food practices tie in with the United Nations SDGs, which aim to transform our world and promote prosperity for all while protecting our planet.
Our policy on food supports 'Good health and well-being', 'Responsible consumption and production' and 'Climate action'.
How we're reducing the negative impacts of food
Our catering contractor supports our commitment to providing sustainable food by:
- Sourcing locally grown seasonal ingredients
- Procuring sustainably certified products (Red Tractor, Marine Stewardship Council and Fairtrade)
- Ensuring all its suppliers comply with UK and EU animal welfare standards
- Not using palm oil for cooking
- Purchasing 100% sustainable palm oil products from RSPO (Round Table on Sustainable Palm Oil) accredited suppliers
Organisations and individuals can all reduce greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) and tackle climate change by eating less meat and dairy products. Therefore, we have introduced new catering options for vegans, vegetarians and flexitarians as well as for those who simply want to try something new.
Our catering contractor is also working to reduce single-use items within its operations. As a result, students and staff using a re-usable cup get 20 pence off their hot drink.
We also use plant-based compostable food service packaging instead of single-use plastic.
Approximately one third of all food goes to waste. In landfill, this waste produces methane – a powerful GHG which is 25 times more damaging to the environment than carbon dioxide.
We have a zero-waste-to-landfill policy in place. All food waste from our operations is diverted from landfill and sent for anaerobic digestion. Here, food is broken down by micro-organisms to create biogas and liquid fertiliser.
We also help tackle food waste at home. By providing microwaves across our campus sites, staff and students can reheat leftovers. Plus, our catering outlets at Penrhyn Road, Knights Park and Kingston Hill advertise discounted left-over food on the app Too Good To Go.
At our Kingston Hill campus we have an allotment, which enables students to grow their own fruit and vegetables. The allotment group is free to join. For further information, contact ukssustainability@kingston.ac.uk.
As part of our Green Impact programme, staff are also encouraged to grow their own fruit and vegetables. We run an active KU Gardening Club open to all staff.
To help rescue food in your local area, sign up to Too Good To Go and OLIO.
We are a Fairtrade University
We were the third university in London to achieve 'Fairtrade University' status. Since 2006, we have sold Fairtrade products and supported the annual Fairtrade Fortnight.
In 2024, we were awarded a two-star-accredited Fairtrade University status. Our Fairtrade Award Team continues to work through a bespoke online toolkit.
Our Fairtrade status
Our Fairtrade Award Team aims to embed Fairtrade within our curriculum, procurement, research and campaigns.
You can read more about their efforts here.
Fairtrade Impact Report
Fairtrade Action Plan
Get in touch to talk about sustainability
Got a question about sustainability at Kingston University?
Call us on +44 (0)7767 932 944 or send us an email.
You can also visit us in person at:
Estates and Sustainability
Services Building
Penrhyn Road Campus
Kingston upon Thames
KT1 2EE
United Kingdom
