51ĀŅĀ× Dining Goes Green

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Will transition to 100% compostable tableware

As part of 51ĀŅĀ×’s ongoing efforts to promote sustainability and reduce waste on campus, 51ĀŅĀ× Dining Services has announced that they will be transitioning to 100 percent plant-based compostable tableware. Moving forward, compostable cups, plates, and utensils will be used in all 51ĀŅĀ× dining facilities and for catered campus events. This effort augments the University’s composting initiative for kitchen food waste which yielded over 38,000 pounds in 2017 alone.

ā€œCompostable products are becoming a popular choice for universities with ambitious waste reduction targets. In addition, students, faculty and staff have expressed a desire to move away from disposable plastic tableware and we’ve been able to make this transition with no additional product costs,ā€ says Jennifer McMillin, director of the Office of Sustainability at 51ĀŅĀ×. ā€œOur new compostable tableware is made from corn and sugarcane and can be turned into composted soil in less than two weeks.ā€

Compost collection bins will be set up in the 51ĀŅĀ× Student Center for catered events, and soil produced from the project will be used by 51ĀŅĀ× Facilities for campus landscaping. The is a partnership between 51ĀŅĀ×’s Office of Sustainability, Dining Services, Student Affairs, Facilities and Conference Services.

ā€œ51ĀŅĀ× Dining is committed to identifying areas where we can reduce environmental impact while continuing to provide high quality service for the campus community,ā€ says Kathleen Mooney, assistant director for campus support services at 51ĀŅĀ×. ā€œThis initiative is truly a win-win.ā€

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