Each and every team member has a role in maximizing our sustainable efforts. Please review these helpful tips and keep them in mind every day at work.

Tips for our Dining Units

• Limit preheating of steam tables, grills, broilers and ovens. Use a clock to measure the amount of time needed for a piece of equipment to heat up. Turn on only when ready.
• Keep oven doors closed as much as possible. Use the window to view baking progress. Avoid distractions when loading or unloading products.
• Avoid using aluminum foil when possible. If needed, put the shiny side in to avoid reflecting the heat of the oven.
• Run exhaust fans when necessary and turn off when not needed. Fans will simply discharge the heated or cooled air from the building.
• Use lids on pots. Don’t waste away precious energy.
• Turn off all equipment not in use. Consider condensing foods to turn off steamers, heat lamps or other warming units not needed.
• Label your freezer and refrigeration units to avoid keeping the door open to search for foods.
• If the kitchen and servery has a separate thermostat, raise or lower the thermostat when leaving to avoid unnecessary heating or cooling expenditures.
• Minimize packaging of products. Use what is necessary.
• Keep strong records to avoid food waste. Follow ServSafe guidelines to utilize leftovers in soups or other dishes.
• Use proper utensils for portion control.
• Partner with your clients in new ways to recycle, reduce and reuse.

Download tips in a .pdf to post at your dining center.

Tips for our Vending Units

• AVI's fresh food trays are recyclable. Inform our customers and encourage recycling.
• Many AVI hot beverage machines are equipped with automatic sensors. If your location has such machines, encourage your customers to utilize their own reusable mug.
• If machines are being underutilized, speak to our clients about consolidating machines to save on energy usage.
• Utilize pull-down napkin dispensers to avoid the tendency for our customers to "hoard" napkins.
• Take care when stocking and filling machines. Have product ready to minimize "open door" time for stocking refrigerated machines.
• To reduce paper usage, utilize email for communication instead of fax whenever possible.
• Power all computers down each night. They waste away precious energy even when not used.
• Turn off all lights when not in use.
• Be sure your branch is recycling everything possible including cardboard, plastic and paper.
• Reuse all envelopes.
• Always turn off your vehicles, even if you will just be a minute.
• Check air pressure in tires of all vehicles to optimize mileage.
• Keep your vehicle air filters clean.
• Set printers to utilize both sides of a sheet of paper when possible.
• Always route unnecessary supplies back to the Headquarters Service Center.
• Partner with your clients in new ways to recycle, reduce and reuse.

Download tips in a .pdf to post at your vending location.

Tips for our Headquarters Service Center or Operations Departments

• Utilize your own mug for hot beverages from AVI vending machines.
• Recycle your plastic bottles in designated receptacles.
• Work without a paycheck... or at least a paper check. A new paperless option is available for many of our team members. Contact the payroll department for details.
• Shut the lights off in your office whenever you step away for more than a few minutes.
• Change your print settings to duplex.
• Never throw an envelope away! Use it to route information to and from branches or other departments.
• Unplug appliances that are not used everyday.
• Use rechargeable batteries instead of disposables.
• Think before you print. Use the screen to proofread changes first. If you do print, use both sides of a piece of paper.
• Send all used ink cartridges to the mailroom for recycling.
• Double check your desk before ordering additional office supplies.
• Schedule meetings and workshops at convenient times to avoid having to duplicate travel for our field team members.
• Carpool to off-site meetings and training events.
• Work with 1/2 of the lights or no lights on bright sunny days.
• Recycle, reduce and reuse! Be creative in environmental initiatives.

Download tips in a .pdf to post in your department.

As a family-owned and operated business, we especially value the relationship that every team member has with his or her family and we seek to preserve, cultivate and nurture this bond.