Refectory awarded prestigious Green Tourism Gold

We’re pleased to announce the Refectory was recently awarded the Green Tourism Gold certification for ensuring our sustainable practices meet the highest possible standard. 

Find out more below about our submission and why we’re so proud to achieve the prestigious certification. 

 

What is Green Tourism?

The Green Tourism Gold Award is an internationally recognised sustainability accreditation for travel, tourism and hospitality businesses that demonstrate exceptional standards of sustainable practices. 

Through achieving the Gold accreditation, the Refectory has demonstrated a measured strategy to ensure its operations continue to be as sustainable and environmentally friendly as possible. 

 

Why did the Refectory win Gold?

To earn the Green Tourism Gold certification, the Refectory had to meet precise criteria related to energy conservation, waste management, water usage, local sourcing and overall sustainability efforts.

Specifically, the Refectory’s operations were required to score over 80% across multiple questions in three key areas: People, Planet and Places.  

The submission included the department’s commitment to sourcing local, sustainably produced products and providing extensive vegan and vegetarian choices for visitors.  

The Refectory’s comprehensive waste management programme was also included in the supporting material. The programme includes using seasonal menus and analysing sales data to predict what production is needed, as well as using the Too Good To Go scheme for low dated products. 

Ben Collier, Head of Catering and Hospitality at University of Leeds, has also commented on the achievement.

“We’re really pleased that the Refectory has achieved the Gold standard from Green Tourism. Providing an exceptional experience for visitors whilst operating with sustainable practices is at the heart of what we are trying to achieve as a department – winning this certification is testament to that commitment and the team’s hard work.”

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GFaL x UoL Libraries Giveaway – it’s back!

This giveaway is now closed.

The Great Food at Leeds x Leeds University Libraries giveaway is back!

We are teaming up with Leeds University Libraries to fuel your library sessions this assessment period. Five lucky winners will receive a University of Leeds KeepCups, tote bag, trolley coin and £25 credit to spend on delicious food and drink in the Refectory or any Great Food at Leeds operated cafés on campus.

To enter you need to follow the instructions on the giveaway post found on the Great Food at Leeds and Leeds University Libraries Instagram accounts. Good luck!

Terms and conditions:

  1. Great Food at Leeds will use any personal data submitted only for the purposes of facilitating the prize draw.
  2. All entries must be received by Wednesday 14 May 2025 at 11:59pm.
  3. All correctly completed entries will be entered into a prize draw which will take place on Friday 16 May 2025. The winners will be drawn at random.
  4. One entry per person allowed, on completion of liking the post, tagging a friend in the post comments and following the Great Food at Leeds and Leeds University Libraries Instagram accounts. You may gain an additional entry by sharing the post to your Instagram Story.
  5. No entrant may win more than one prize bundle.
  6. The giveaway is open to all University of Leeds staff and students.
  7. The prizes are five University of Leeds KeepCups, five Great Food at Leeds trolley coins, five Great Food at Leeds tote bags and five £25 Great Food at Leeds credit uploads. Great Food at Leeds credit is redeemable against food and drink in any of the Great Food at Leeds operated locations on campus, this does not include Caffe Nero outlets. The winners must provide their University email address and download the GFaL Rewards app to obtain the credit. Credit will be valid for 6 months.
  8. Prizes are not transferable or exchangeable. No cash alternative is possible.
  9. The winner will be notified via the Great Food at Leeds Instagram Story from Friday 16 May 2025. Great Food at Leeds will make a reasonable attempt to contact the winners, but reserve the right to draw substitute winner(s) if this is not possible.
  10. By entering the prize draw, you agree to participate in any reasonable promotional activity, including photographs and audio and/or visual recordings, if you are selected as a winner.
  11. Please note that Instagram are not responsible for any element of this promotion and has in no way sponsored, endorsed, or administered this promotion.

 

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