In 2016, the Student Senate from all four University of Nebraska campuses passed a “Styrofoam-free” resolution, representing student concerns about the use of Styrofoam on campus. The proposal was echoed by the many staff concerns about Styrofoam, especially in the dining areas.
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Sodexo is officially replacing the Styrofoam to-go containers in the Nebraska, Clarkson, Fred & Pamela Buffett Cancer Center and Bellevue cafes with a compostable container.
While polystyrene (or Styrofoam) containers are financially inexpensive, their health and environmental costs far outweigh that of their paper or bio-based counterparts.
Polystyrene is made from petroleum and contains chemicals that are known carcinogens. At the end of their one-time use, these containers go to the landfills, where they will take hundreds, if not thousands, of years to decompose. Historically, more than 400,000 polystyrene to-go containers have gone to the landfill every year from the medical center.
A month ago, a new, compostable to-go container was piloted in both the Nebraska and Clarkson cafes, and feedback was collected via online and in-person survey. The feedback showed an overwhelmingly positive response, with the large majority of respondents satisfied or very satisfied with the new container. Due to the positive feedback, the pilot container was selected.
While the overwhelming majority of responses were positive, Sodexo recognizes that this is a change in the dining experience and will continue to be open to feedback on the new containers.
You will still see polystyrene containers in the short term as purchased stock is used up. The vendors within the cafes (Mein Bowl, Oh Oh Burrito, etc.) also are reviewing options to make the switch.
Many have been asking about Styrofoam-free floor stock options, specifically cups for patient/visitors. This is currently being reviewed, as it impacts budgets that already have been set, and we will provide information as soon as it’s available.
The medical center will review options for reusable plates and silverware in early 2018.
Since most of us work through our lunch time, and if it takes you a while to eat your lunch (you nibble here and there), these containers leak all over your desk. I guess a small price to pay for the environment though.
If there's any liquid in these boxes it goes right through…
This is great news!
Where do we recycle these? Do they go in the green recycle containers or into regular trash?
Thanks for all your efforts, Melanie and Sodexo. This is a step in the right direction and it will just keep getting better!
Thanks for making this simple, but very important move.
Nathan, These are not recyclable, they are compostable. Please do not place them in a green bin. For now they will go into the trash, but we are working on way to compost at the Med Center and will let you know when that happens.
Technically you can take them home if you compost there, though most personal compost piles won't be able to handle too many of them.
Thank you,
Melanie
This is wonderful that the Nebraska campuses are going Green! But what is Sodexo made of that it won't hold liquids? I have received at some restaurants heavy duty cardboard containers that work really well and would be recyclable as well. Might be worth looking into….