Towards Zero Waste?
Since the discontinuation of disposable cups in August 2018, the number of Tetrapaks purchased had doubled to about 4000 per week. Although about half of the cartons were being recycled, this resulted in a huge increase in waste. The students from Green Campus were also becoming overwhelmed by the volume of cartons for recycling.
Part of one week's collection of cartons
From August 2019, the sales of Tetrapak drink cartons has been discontinued. This will avoid about 140 000 drink cartons being consumed. Instead, students now purchase a cup and serve themselves from dispensers. This has led to a new problem: lost cups.
Over 1200 cups have been lost since the start of the year. Many are left around campus instead of being brought back to the proper return areas. Most of these are recovered, however it takes considerable effort from the Sodexo staff to do this. Others likely end up in the garbage bins or are in unconventional places around campus. A cup was found at the end of the driveway on Dover road, so perhaps some are taken off of campus.
Sadly, the losses of cups greatly reduces the overall impact of having removed the drink cartons from the canteen. We need to work as a community towards educating all with regard to the need to bring back the cups, realising that the perceived inconvenience of returning the cups is affecting our environmental footprint.
A disappointing display of unreturned items
Since the discontinuation of disposable cups in August 2018, the number of Tetrapaks purchased had doubled to about 4000 per week. Although about half of the cartons were being recycled, this resulted in a huge increase in waste. The students from Green Campus were also becoming overwhelmed by the volume of cartons for recycling.
From August 2019, the sales of Tetrapak drink cartons has been discontinued. This will avoid about 140 000 drink cartons being consumed. Instead, students now purchase a cup and serve themselves from dispensers. This has led to a new problem: lost cups.
Over 1200 cups have been lost since the start of the year. Many are left around campus instead of being brought back to the proper return areas. Most of these are recovered, however it takes considerable effort from the Sodexo staff to do this. Others likely end up in the garbage bins or are in unconventional places around campus. A cup was found at the end of the driveway on Dover road, so perhaps some are taken off of campus.
Sadly, the losses of cups greatly reduces the overall impact of having removed the drink cartons from the canteen. We need to work as a community towards educating all with regard to the need to bring back the cups, realising that the perceived inconvenience of returning the cups is affecting our environmental footprint.
