Sodexo Congratulates Campuses Named to The Princeton Review's 2012 Guide to 322 Green Colleges

GAITHERSBURG, Md., June 4, 2012 /PRNewswire/ -- The Princeton Review, in collaboration with the Center for Green Schools at the U.S. Green Building Council (USGBC), named 89 Sodexo-served colleges and universities among the nation's most environmentally responsible "green colleges." They were named to The Princeton Review's Guide to 322 Green Colleges: 2012 Edition, which profiles institutions of higher education in the United States and Canada that demonstrate notable commitments to sustainability in their academic offerings, campus infrastructure, activities and career preparation. Sodexo partners with campus communities in reaching sustainability objectives by leading a range of green initiatives.

"The honor truly goes to the students and campus leadership for their daily commitment to reducing environmental impact and improving the quality of life for generations to come," said Tom Post, president, Campus Services, Sodexo. "We join each of the colleges and universities in celebrating this achievement and we are proud of Sodexo's strategic partnership in working with many of them to meet their sustainability objectives."

The Princeton Review first created this one-of-a-kind, free resource for college-bound students in 2010 in collaboration with USGBC. In it, college applicants using the guide will find:

• School profiles with application, admission, financial aid and student enrollment information
• "Green Highlights" write-ups detailing each school's most impressive environmental and sustainability initiatives
• "Green Facts" sidebars reporting statistics and facts on everything from the school's use of renewable energy sources, recycling and conservation programs to the availability of environmental studies programs, and green jobs career guidance
• A glossary of 40+ green terms and acronyms from AASHE to "zero waste"
• Lists identifying schools in the book with various green distinctions – among them: those with LEED-certified buildings and those that are signatories of the American College & University Presidents' Climate Commitment.

Keystone College in Pennsylvania represents one of the Sodexo-served campuses named to the 2012 list. Sodexo partners with campus dining services there to implement programs like tray-less dining, fully biodegradable packaging and utensils, the use of Fair Trade coffee products, recycling of fryer oil and cardboard, and the use of locally sourced, Pennsylvania-grown organic food.

Sodexo is a client partner to more than 850 colleges and universities in the U.S. and Canada, where it promotes a wide variety of sustainable initiatives addressing local and sustainably sourced foods, energy reduction, water efficiency, and waste reduction. It recently expanded a successful eight-campus pilot study with LeanPath to 50 new campuses where it is tackling food waste. Part of Sodexo's Better Tomorrow Plan, these programs work to raise awareness, and measurably reduce environmental impact in local communities where the company operates.

In addition to pursuing mutual sustainability objectives, Sodexo frequently works in support of client-partners on campus to attract and retain students through innovative offers that help distinguish college programs. That includes partnering on green initiatives focused on energy and waste reduction, water efficiency and sustainable facility management strategies.

"College-bound students are increasingly interested in sustainability issues," said Robert Franek, senior vice president and publisher, The Princeton Review. "Among 7,445 college applicants who participated in our 2012 'College Hopes & Worries Survey,' nearly 7 out of 10 (68 percent) told us that having information about a school's commitment to the environment would influence their decision to apply to or attend the school."

More than 25 percent of the schools listed in the 2012 guide are Sodexo-served, including 4 of the 16 that made the list's Green College Honor Roll, earning a 99 Green Rating – the year's top score.

Visit www.princetonreview.com/green-guide.aspx to see the full list of honored 2012 Green Colleges. To learn more about how Sodexo works with colleges and universities visit www.sodexoUSA.com.

ABOUT SODEXO
Sodexo in North America
Sodexo, Inc. (www.sodexoUSA.com), leading Quality of Daily Life Solutions company in the U.S., Canada, and Mexico, delivers On-site Service Solutions in Corporate, Education, Health Care, Government, Remote Site segments and Motivation Solutions such as Esteem Pass. Sodexo, Inc., headquartered in Gaithersburg, Md., funds all administrative costs for Sodexo Foundation (www.SodexoFoundation.org), an independent charitable organization that, since its founding in 1999, has made more than $17 million in grants to end childhood hunger in America. Visit the corporate blog at www.sodexoUSA.com/blog.

SODEXO FACT SHEET
Of the 322 colleges and universities named to the 2012 edition of the guide, more than 25 percent of them are locations that are served by Sodexo. A total of 89 schools on the list partner with Sodexo to meet a variety of needs, from food service to facility management – all while paying careful attention to impact on the environment, health and wellness and local communities.

Sodexo-Served colleges and universities named to The Princeton Review's Guide to 322 Green Colleges include:

SOURCE Sodexo, Inc.