Food services going green
Daniel T. Hudock
Issue date: 1/27/10 Section: News
Robert Morris University food services started going green last year. Over this past year, students and faculty have been gradually introduced to environmentally friendly changes at The Food Court and Romo's Café.
The most noticeable change, primarily to those who dine at the Food Court, was the elimination of Styrofoam take-out containers.
At the start of classes this semester Dinning Services introduced a reusable plastic container to fill the void. A green heavy-duty, plastic, clamshell-shaped take-out box, identical in size and shape to the old disposable boxes, is now being offered as an alternative for anyone who wants a meal on the go.
The new boxes are offered for a one-time cost of $7.50. Used containers can be returned to The Food Court, Romo's Café, or the Hale Center Coffee Kiosk. A token will be exchanged for the dirty box. This token can be redeemed for a clean box.
According to Russell Williams, the general manager for dining services the containers can be returned dirty.
"The containers do not need to be washed before they are returned. All containers will be collected several times a day and mechanically cleaned at The Food Court," he said.
In order to facilitate returns, a table has been set up in The Food Court. It will be staffed 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. At any other time, the cashier will handle returns.
As with any new program, expect changes to improve service once feedback starts coming in.
"The University has decided that the $7.50 charge for the carry-out boxes will not be refundable at the end of the semester. [The tokens, and] the containers will be used again in the fall. This is not intended as a way to make money for the school," William explained.
Approximately 100 of the boxes have been sold, as of Jan. 15, to both students and faculty.
"It is too soon to tell if the University will see any financial savings [from the programs]. I suspect in the end it will be a wash. The real savings comes from not sending all the trash to the landfill," said Williams.
The most noticeable change, primarily to those who dine at the Food Court, was the elimination of Styrofoam take-out containers.
At the start of classes this semester Dinning Services introduced a reusable plastic container to fill the void. A green heavy-duty, plastic, clamshell-shaped take-out box, identical in size and shape to the old disposable boxes, is now being offered as an alternative for anyone who wants a meal on the go.
The new boxes are offered for a one-time cost of $7.50. Used containers can be returned to The Food Court, Romo's Café, or the Hale Center Coffee Kiosk. A token will be exchanged for the dirty box. This token can be redeemed for a clean box.
According to Russell Williams, the general manager for dining services the containers can be returned dirty.
"The containers do not need to be washed before they are returned. All containers will be collected several times a day and mechanically cleaned at The Food Court," he said.
In order to facilitate returns, a table has been set up in The Food Court. It will be staffed 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. At any other time, the cashier will handle returns.
As with any new program, expect changes to improve service once feedback starts coming in.
"The University has decided that the $7.50 charge for the carry-out boxes will not be refundable at the end of the semester. [The tokens, and] the containers will be used again in the fall. This is not intended as a way to make money for the school," William explained.
Approximately 100 of the boxes have been sold, as of Jan. 15, to both students and faculty.
"It is too soon to tell if the University will see any financial savings [from the programs]. I suspect in the end it will be a wash. The real savings comes from not sending all the trash to the landfill," said Williams.
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