One additional way that Ecopledge members are looking to address waste is by bringing composting to Carney's. Currently, Corcoran Commons composts its food waste, but Carney's has been unable to do so because of space issues.
"We are not able to compost the food right now, but BC Dining is looking at ways to do this, and if students show that they are able to get into the habit of separating out their food waste, they may be able to compost soon," Fox said.
Composting is a process through which food is allowed to degrade into organic matter that can then be used as fertilizer. It saves space in landfills and gives uneaten food a second use as powerful fertilizer. Currently, workers behind the scenes in Corcoran Commons divide out the recyclables, food waste, and trash from the revolving tray receptacle to facilitate composting, but no such system is in place in Carney's, so students need to take on that responsibility themselves.
Composting is not the only way that BC Dining Services have tried to make the dining efforts more eco-friendly. Last year, a program was started in Stuart Dining Hall on Newton Campus that ended up lessening the use of plastic containers by 20 percent and increasing the number of students who took advantage of discounts by bringing in their own water bottles and to-go coffee cups by 50 percent.
"We took what we learned at Stuart Dining Hall and improved it because we have more space at McElroy to separate more items," said Megan O'Neill, associate director of restaurant operations in BC Dining. "It really requires the customer's help and involvement, as last year, when we tried a smaller scale setup, we lost over 2,000 pieces of silverware in two months because customers were throwing them away."
Ecopledge members who have volunteered their time to stand by the bins and talk students through the process feel that the reactions they have received have been mostly positive.
"I would say 90 percent of people care. Most people seem really sincere," Putnam said.
Spring Break
