Aramark Enhances Green Thread™ Environmental Sustainability Platform

PHILADELPHIA, December 5, 2016 /3BL Media/ - Building on the company’s long-standing commitment to environmental sustainability, Aramark (NYSE: ARMK), a global leader in food, facilities management and uniforms today announced a refreshed and enhanced  Green Thread^TM environmental sustainability platform. Green Thread brings to life Aramark’s commitments and programs focused on responsible sourcing, waste minimization, operational efficiency and transportation management. As part of Green Thread, the company is also introducing a new Sustainable Seafood Sourcing Policy and a partnership with LeanPath to support food waste tracking and measurement across the company.

“Responsible and sustainable practices have always been a fundamental part of our mission to enrich and nourish lives,” said Eric J. Foss, Aramark’s Chairman, President and Chief Executive Officer. “With Green Thread, we are strengthening our commitment and accelerating our efforts to integrate environmentally responsible principles and practices into the services that we deliver every day around the world.”

The Green Thread platform provides Aramark associates serving universities, schools, stadiums, hospitals, municipalities, businesses and other venues with broader operational resources and tools to consistently advance sustainable practices at thousands of locations every day by:

• Increasing procurement of local, seasonal and responsibly sourced products
• Reducing, reusing and recycling food and other waste
• Conserving energy and water and providing healthy environments
• Reducing fuel consumption and minimizing emissions

As part of Green Thread, Aramark is also announcing a new Sustainable Seafood Sourcing Policy, which reinforces a pledge to purchase 100% of its U.S. contracted seafood from responsible sources that meet Monterey Bay Aquarium Seafood Watch® program recommendations by 2018. The company is also working to avoid the purchase of “at risk species” as defined by Seafood Watch®, address human rights abuses and support responsible management practices.

“We are encouraged by the industry leading steps that Aramark is taking to sustainably source the seafood it serves, “ said Jennifer Dianto-Kemmerly, Director of Global Fisheries and Aquaculture at the  Monterey Bay Aquarium. “This policy demonstrates the company’s commitment to provide seafood that is sourced through the highest standards.”

Green Thread reinforces Aramark’s commitment to reducing food waste and decreasing the overall cost of waste both environmentally and financially. The company’s goal is to minimize waste before it is generated by ensuring that 100% of its locations implement Aramark’s food management practices and accurately track food waste.

To support these efforts, Aramark is also proud to announce a partnership with LeanPath, where it is incorporating the company’s industry leading processes and technology to drive real time data to measure waste and enable Aramark managers to make immediate operational changes. Building upon an initial pilot with results showing a 36% reduction in food waste, Aramark is installing LeanPath across its 500 highest volume locations over the next year, with plans to expand more broadly.

While reducing food waste at its source is Aramark’s primary focus, occasional overproduction due to unique situations, such as unexpected weather events, sometimes happen. In these cases, Aramark’s Food Donation Program, in partnership with Food Donation Connection, provides a solution to safely donate surplus food to local hunger relief agencies helping families in need.

Other areas that are woven under Green Thread include environmentally-friendly building operations such as efficient building design, water and energy-saving efforts, and Aramark’s Blue Cleaning™ program, which uses electrically activated or ionized tap water to safely clean without harmful chemicals.

The company’s fleet operations will address efficient fuel usage through advanced maintenance diagnostics, and state of-the-art routing software to map out the most efficient travel routes.

For more information on Aramark’s commitments to environmental sustainability visit www.aramark.com/responsibility.

About Aramark
Aramark (NYSE: ARMK) delivers experiences that enrich and nourish people’s lives through innovative services in food, facilities management, and uniforms.  United by a passion to serve, our 270,000 employees make a meaningful difference each day for millions of people in 21 countries around the world.   Aramark is recognized as one of the World’s Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE, rated number one among Diversified Outsourcing Companies, as well as among the World’s Most Ethical Companies by the Ethisphere Institute. Learn more at www.aramark.com or connect with us on Facebook and Twitter.