Cardinal Clean
Our award-winning eco-friendly cleaning system used in all student residences reduces chemical usage and harm to human health and the environment.
Sustainability in R&DE
Stanford Residential and Dining Enterprises (R&DE) is proud to support the university’s sustainability goals through innovation in dining and housing operations, campus partnerships and industry collaborations, and climate-focused programs that promote sustainable living.
We have a legacy of leadership – from efficient waste systems to food sourcing strategies and green cleaning programs – making a significant positive impact on our students’ and customers’ awareness and habits while achieving substantial savings and ensuring the Stanford campus’s long-term viability.
See our impact in numbers, learn about our awards, and join our efforts!
Campus Residences
R&DE enables sustainable student residential living through energy-efficient infrastructure, green cleaning practices, and waste reduction programs paired with tools and resources to encourage daily earth-friendly actions.
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Zero Waste
We support the university's zero waste goals by increasing awareness of best practices and resources for waste reduction, reuse, recycling and composting.
Give & Go
R&DE’s year-round donation program has diverted 612 tons of material from landfill while giving usable items to low-income students and communities in need.
Campus Dining
Our sustainability efforts unite climate-smart dining, planet-friendly sourcing, and innovative programs that reduce waste, promote more sustainable diets and food systems, and inspire life-long practices.
Climate-Smart Dining
Our award-winning culinary team develops nutritious and delicious meals based on the Menus of Change Principles of Healthy Sustainable Menus, emphasizing plant-forward, healthy options.
Sustainable Sourcing
R&DE prioritizes food purchasing that meets high standards for sustainability and ethics: local/regional, organic, regenerative farming practices and humane animal welfare. We are the first campus dining program to earn the highest standard for sustainable seafood purchasing.
Waste Reduction
We continually reduce waste through technology investment, food recovery partnerships, composting practices, and more.
Across R&DE Operations
R&DE innovates to conserve resources and cut waste, practices responsible facilities stewardship, and invests in educational initiatives for learning and lasting impact. Our green approach extends to our hospitality and catering services.
Driving Change: Sustainable Living Interns
With the campus serving as a living laboratory, students in R&DE’s Sustainability Internship Program gain hands-on experience in sustainability research, pilot program testing, program implementation, and data collection and analytics. Students pursue sustainability projects as varied as designing energy-efficient systems to implementing behavior change campaigns and tracking resource use. They emerge from the program with a robust set of career-ready skills, guided by mentorship from industry professionals and fueled by hands-on experience.
Sustainability in the Numbers
Sustainability Awards
R&DE's most recent recognition from industry organizations and partners worldwide are a reflection of our ongoing leadership and close collaboration with the Sustainable Stanford community.
Our successful sustainability initiatives and programs—including Cardinal Clean, Give & Go, food recovery and donations, waste reduction and diversion efforts, and more—are key to the university's achievement of AASHE STARS Platinum rating. Stanford is currently the #1 ranked institution for sustainability.
AASHE 2025 Sustainable Campus Index: #2 in the nation for sustainable food and dining
2025 Campus Race to Zero Award: Per Capita Recycling Category, Large Campus
2023 Outstanding Waste Prevention Award from the California Resource Recovery Association (CRRA) for Cardinal Clean
In the News
Click the images below to read highlights about R&DE's sustainability initiatives.
