Vegan by Default: The Blueprint to Reduce Environmental Impact at Schools and Offices
Professor Jan Stoop managed to get his faculty’s lunches switched to vegan by default with a straightforward strategy.
If you’re looking to make a difference for animals or the planet through institutional change, his approach might be just what you need to make this change in other institutions.
This isn’t just a change in policy; it’s a game-changer in how we can nudge people toward sustainable choices.
Here’s the full story of how it happened, why it works, and how you can do it too.
The Catalyst for Change
At Erasmus, like at many universities, staff and faculty often enjoy catered lunches during seminars, meetings, and events. These meals typically defaulted to meat and dairy options.
If you wanted a vegan meal, you had to explicitly ask for it. It wasn’t just inconvenient—it reinforced meat and dairy as the norm.
That’s when a small but significant idea took root: what if plant-based meals were the default?
Why This Works
Switching the default might seem like a small change, but the impact is profound. Here’s why:
How The University Went Vegan By Default: A Step-by-Step Guide
Want to bring this change to your university, workplace, or institution? Here’s how it was achieved at Erasmus:
Step 1: Gather the Data
Start by collecting evidence.
Take photos of the current meals and calculate the environmental impact compared to plant-based alternatives.
At Erasmus, the difference was stark: their typical catered lunch used the equivalent of 80 bathtubs of water and emitted 14 kilograms of CO2—just for one meal!
Tools like WaterFootprint.org and Eaternity can help you make similar calculations.
Step 2: Craft a Winning Pitch
Tailor your message to align with the values of your institution.
At Erasmus, sustainability was a key priority. The university also took a strong stance on diversity and inclusion.
Jan framed the switch as a way to reduce environmental harm while promoting diversity and inclusion.
For example:
Step 3: Build Support
Write a letter to your institution’s leadership advocating for the change.
Collect signatures from influential faculty members to bolster your case. At Erasmus, 10 prominent individuals signed on, and several others offered quiet support.
Step 4: Present the Proposal
Approach decision-makers with confidence.
At Erasmus, the Dean was convinced in a single meeting. The key was showing how this switch aligned with the institution’s mission and values—and highlighting the positive media attention it could generate.
Step 5: Collaborate with Catering
Work with your catering provider to ensure they’re on board. Emphasize what’s in it for them, such as sustainability accolades and media recognition.
At Erasmus, the catering company was eager to participate, especially after receiving guidance from a professional in plant-based dining.
Reflections and Lessons Learned
This wasn’t just a lucky success. The team behind the switch was strategic and persistent, and their efforts paid off.
Here’s what we can learn:
The Ripple Effect
The success at Erasmus School of Economics is proof that change is possible. And it’s inspiring other institutions to consider similar steps. You can learn more about how Jan Stoop turned his university's catered lunches to be vegan by default in this Reddit Post.
By making vegan the default, we can normalize sustainable choices, reduce environmental impact, and pave the way for a more inclusive future.
Now it’s your turn. Whether you’re a student, faculty member, or employee, you can take the first step toward making plant-based meals the default.
Follow these steps, start the conversation, and watch as a small change leads to a big impact.
Author: My name is Andrew Alexander, and I interviewed more than 200 leaders in the global vegan, animal rights, and plant-based health movements. My missions is to bring these lessons to you through the email newsletter below to teach you how to reach exponential growth for the vegan movement so we can help more animals.