Reusable University of Kent water bottle
Sustainable Food at Kent
We are committed to offering sustainable catering at the University of Kent.

Sustainable Food Plan

The University of Kent Sustainable Food Plan sets out a roadmap to ensure that the food served on campus supports health, well-being, and environmental sustainability. 

The plan covers all food outlets and internal catering operated by the University of Kent. This includes internal catering for conferences and events.

The Sustainable Food Plan aims to support:

  • The health and wellbeing of staff and students by providing access to healthy, tasty, and affordable food.
  • Fairness and security for producers and suppliers through our procurement frameworks.
  • Other regional and national HE institutions as well as schools and colleges, by sharing best practice on sustainable food through the Kent Food Partnership.  
Bowls of food from Dolche Vita

Reusable Coffee Cups

Help us to reduce the number of disposable cups going to landfill

Here at Kent we are committed to finding ways to reduce paper cup use. That’s why we’re encouraging staff, students and visitors to ditch the disposable cups and use a reusable alternative instead.

Switching to a reusable coffee cup is a great way to cut your plastic footprint. Each time you choose to re-use, even just once a week, you will be helping in the fight against single-use waste.

We want our customers to benefit from using a reusable cup, that’s why every time you use a reusable cup in one of our participating outlets, you’ll receive 10% off your order. So, as well as saving the planet, you’ll be saving your bank account too!

Participating outlets include:

  • Dolche Vita
  • Sibson Café
  • Gulbenkian Arts Centre Café
  • Rutherford Dining Hall
A person holding a Kent branded reusable coffee cup in their right hand whilst using their phone in their right hand

Free Water Refills

Plastic bottles contribute significantly to environmental pollution. By reusing a water bottle, you reduce the amount of plastic waste that ends up in landfills or the ocean.

Where can I refill my water bottle?

  • Mungo’s Bar and Diner (Eliot College) – tap is behind counter, ask staff who will happily fill water bottle for you
  • Create Café (Marlowe Building) – tap is behind counter, ask staff who will happily fill water bottle for you
  • K-Bar (Keynes College) - tap is behind counter, ask staff who will happily fill water bottle for you
  • Sibson Café (Sibson Building) – designated water station next to coffee machine
  • Origins Bar & Grill (Darwin College) - tap is behind counter, ask staff who will happily fill water bottle for you
  • Hut 8 (Turing College) - designated water station in service hatch
  • Rutherford Dining Hall (Rutherford College) – designated water station in open fridge in the dining area
  • Sports Café (Sports Centre) - tap is behind counter, ask staff who will happily fill water bottle for you
  • Dolche Vita (Keynes College) – designated water tap in dining area
  • Gulbenkian - ask staff who will happilly fill water bottle for you

If you would like to add a water station to this list, please email catering@kent.ac.uk

An outstretched hand holding a Kent branded reusable water bottle

Plant-Based Loyalty Scheme

The School of Anthropology and Conservation’s student-led Sustainability Working Group have been working with the catering team to produce a plant-based loyalty card.

The loyalty scheme rewards customers with a FREE meal for every 9 vegan meals purchased in a campus restaurant, cafe, or bar.

Plant-based loyalty cards can be used in:

  • Rutherford Dining Hall
  • Sibson Café
  • Dolche Vita
  • Mungo’s
  • Hut 8
  • K Bar
  • Gulbenkian Arts Centre Café

The loyalty scheme is not just for vegetarians and vegans, but for flexitarians who are looking to reduce their meat consumption. The scheme offers an easy way for customers to try the delicious meat-free meals on campus, whilst saving money.

Loyalty cards can be picked up in participating outlets, at the till.

A hand holding a plant-based loyalty card that has been stamped 8 times
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