It may just be me, but I hate how much waste is produced by my meals on campus. I understand it is unavoidable because, besides Dana Dining Hall, the university cannot wash dishes at our other dining locations. However, we can individually try to decrease our carbon footprint! Inspired by the recent passing of Earth Day on April 22nd, here are a few tips on how to produce less trash.
Tip #1: Bring your water bottle everywhere: Even if it’s not just for water! The dining services aren’t going to be mad if you ask for them to fill your water bottle up with apple juice or Powerade at the drink stations. You don’t need to waste plastic with straws either!
Tip #2: Bring a coffee mug everywhere: Right on the opposite side of your backpack, have a to go coffee mug for all of the hot drinks you consume to help reduce the amount of cups and lids you use.
Tip #3: Use fewer napkins: Only take as many napkins as you will actually need, and if it’s not enough, then you can always go grab more!
Tip #4: Eat at Dana more: This will be much easier next year with the new meal plan, but try to eat at Dana more often to reduce the amount of trash that is being produced from the other eateries that use disposable food containers on an everyday basis.
Tip #5: Rip up your six pack plastic rings: One time I saw a squirrel in B-Lot with one around its waist and it was not coming off. It was a really sad scene, so don’t put one into the trash without tearing it apart first!
Tip #6: Don’t waste food: You can always return for seconds! Size your proportions realistically to save the waste – there will always be more food available to you if you are still hungry.
Tip #7: Order sandwiches: Handheld food doesn’t require extra forks and knives to get through your meal.
Tip #8: Do full loads of laundry: Make sure that when you are washing your clothes, sheets, or towels, you have filled up the entire washing machine space so as not to waste water or detergent on multiple smaller loads instead.
Tip #9: Turn off the lights before leaving your room: Seems pretty obvious; shutting the lights off saves energy!
Tip #10: Bring a bag with you to the Pub: No need to waste plastic bags, they’re no longer cool anyways….
Tip #11: Change your ice cream bowl: If you’re planning to dine in Dana while you eat your ice cream, use one of the salad bowls rather than the to-go paper bowls. Use a reusable metal spoon too!