How Aramark and Samsung Reach Shared Sustainability Goals Through Innovation and Partnership
Originally published on Aramark.com
Individuals, businesses, organizations, communities, and governments around the world are focused on preserving and protecting the environment and conserving our natural resources.
In fact, making a positive impact on people and the planet is ingrained in our mission and captured in Aramark’s sustainability plan, called Be Well. Do Well.® Through this plan we work in partnership with customers and clients to reduce inequity, support and grow our communities, and protect our planet by focusing on the climate impact of our practices, operations, and client service offerings. This includes efforts to source responsibly, operate efficiently, minimize waste, and reduce packaging.
For one such client, Samsung Electronics America, Aramark provides food and facilities management services at 43 locations in 19 states, serving more than 4,000 Samsung employees. Recently, Samsung received recognition for their environmental sustainability efforts in the U.S., and took the time to highlight Aramark and their shared efforts in the areas of energy efficiency and food sustainability as part of Samsung’s “Partners in Sustainability” series.
Energy Efficiency
A Samsung Electronics America partner since 2017, Aramark Facilities Management provides integrated facility services that include maintenance, janitorial, dining, refreshments, and concierge services.
Beginning in May 2019, the Engineering and Asset Solutions team began helping Samsung develop a strategic approach to manage their energy efficiency efforts at 42 Samsung locations nationwide.
Aramark energy engineers work with the onsite facilities teams and building operators to match equipment operation to employee needs.
They optimize the equipment operation to minimize energy use and make selective capital improvements designed to reduce energy consumption overall.
“We have been providing successful, comprehensive energy management solutions to our clients for more than 40 years,” said Steven Weiser, Regional Vice President, Aramark Facilities Management. “Our energy engineers develop and implement the right combination of mission-driven energy management solutions to help clients such as Samsung achieve their financial and environmental goals.”
Since the energy management program started at Samsung, the teams have celebrated several energy successes, including the following:
- Energy consumption has been reduced by a cumulative 9.5%
- ENERGY STAR Tenant Space certification has been obtained at seven office locations
- ENERGY STAR whole building certification was granted at two facilities
- Samsung received 2022 ENERGY STAR Partner of the Year awards, one for Energy Management in relation to its work with Aramark on operational energy efficiency
Food Service Sustainability
Employees at work expect more than a good meal or a hot cup of coffee. Company cafés and breakrooms brighten the workday for people who need a place to refuel, connect, and refresh.
These spaces become part of a company’s culture and help the company—and its people—meet goals both personal and strategic, including the desire to be more environmentally friendly.
Aramark Workplace Hospitality provides dining services to Samsung employees across the U.S. and has helped them achieve several milestones regarding environmental sustainability.
Café Eight Five in Ridgefield Park, NJ, was awarded a 2 Star Certified Green Restaurant by the Green Restaurant Association for sustainability efforts.
The restaurant minimizes waste going to landfill by using sustainable materials and supporting vigorous recycling efforts, a high priority for Samsung and its employees. It is also a Styrofoam-free facility.The Aramark team at Samsung also partners with Table to Table, a New Jersey-based food donation company that collects unused food weekly and delivers it to organizations serving those in need.
In addition, Aramark at Samsung and at partner sites across the globe is reducing the carbon footprint of the food served by sourcing responsibly, reducing the use of single-use plastics and packaging, and offering more climate-friendly menus.
“We are working to ensure at least 20% of our main dish offerings are vegan or vegetarian—and to promote more plant-forward dining options for the health of people and the environment,” said Alan Horowitz, Vice President of Sustainability, Aramark. “We are taking steps every day—in partnership with our clients like Samsung—that simultaneously reduce our greenhouse gas emissions footprint and promote equity and wellbeing throughout our value chain.”
