Together, the Faculty Student Association (FSA), CulinArt and the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) are making strides toward reducing the amount of plastic waste produced by the dining operations and shifting to more environmentally friendly materials.
Alternative serviceware was introduced into the campus dining locations.
According to Plastic Oceans, more than 8 million tons of plastic waste are dumped into oceans each year. Plastic waste has an immense negative impact on the environment as it pollutes waterways, its disposal clogs up landfills and litters the land and water, and causes severe problems in marine habitats.
The shift began last spring at Midnight Breakfast where alternative serviceware was used instead of plastic materials and utensils to serve more than 2,900 students.
This academic year dining locations have transitioned away from using disposable plastics and instead are using compostable containers made from sugarcane, paper products and Greenware, drink cups and containers made entirely from annually renewable plants – not petroleum.