This past week, I spent time visiting the Pub and the
Terrace to see what they are doing to make the dining areas on campus as
sustainable as possible. Both the Pub and Terrace, which are fast-food style
locations, send out a fair amount of waste via transport containers for the
food they serve. This, in many ways, is unavoidable, but the environmental
impact can be minimized via the materials used to make these containers. An
example of this: the large salad containers in the Terrace and the condimentcups in the Pub are currently compostable. In addition, both locations produce
minimal waste since they are designed to be self-serve and made-to-order dining
locations. Both locations recycle cardboard and other recyclables, such as
metal cans.
In regards to the Commons, I visited the GrowSureEase
(aka Fraser Farms) to talk with the owner, Dennis Meyer, about the composting
collaboration between the Sodexo kitchen on campus and his farm. Organic waste
(mainly the scraps from fruits and vegetables) are collected in 5-gallon
buckets around the Commons’ kitchen and stored before being transported to farm
once a week or so. Their operation has several compost piles that are turned to
meet standards for organic food and then used in the fertilization of their
plants. Fraser Farm has two greenhouses, three beehives, and several types of
plants growing outdoors. It is a great place to visit and buy local produce!
In continuation, the Commons is continuing to improve
recycling efforts, with the use of four designated and labeled recycling bins
(with clear plastic bags to arrive soon). A paper recycling bin was also added
to the office area in the Commons to increase recycling in the offices, and a
system for recycling the aerosol cans (for non-stick purposes) used in the
kitchen has been implemented in cooperation with the Plant department.
In other news, check out the next edition of the College
Days (our campus paper) for more sustainability tips and news. There is an
article by yours truly on tips to being more environmentally friendly. Until
next time!
Links in order:
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