Re: [GreenYes] recycled paper and styrofoam cups - biodegradable alternative

[Benjamin Marks <EcoBen@erols.com>]

Hi,
This was kicking around my inbox for awhile.

Recently, our re-energized Environmental Law Society began to tackle an
environmental impact reduction analysis as a hybrid form of auditing the campus.
Our research has led us to a particular supplier of biodegradable and compostable
products for the food service industry.

You may wish to check out:

http://www.biocorpna.com

Our law school is considering options for greening its cafeteria.  One of the
options that we are considering includes Biocorp.

Hope this information is of assistance.

Ben Marks

----------


Valerie Carey wrote:

> Just a few ideas of successful things that were done at my undergrad and
> graduate schools to minimize styrofoam/plastic usage:
> * giving out (or selling at a subsidized cost) personal to-go coffee mugs,
> preferably with a handle and a caribiner/clip so that empty mugs are easily
> attachable to a backpack (maybe include this in the overall meal plan
> payment)
> * set up a regular way of collecting cafeteria plates and utensils from
> dormitories - a milk crate in the dorm kitchen worked well at my school,
> students would deposit plates, mugs, etc. in the crate and a cafeteria staff
> member would drive around once every week or two to collect them from the
> dorms. Realistically, people won't stop taking stuff from the cafeteria.
> * educate students, cafeteria staff, procurement, etc. on the environmental
> impacts of disposable materials such as styrofoam. Create user-friendly
> alternatives.
>
> Good luck!
> Valerie
>
> on 3/6/02 11:52 AM, Smith, Kathryn at KSmith@presidiotrust.gov wrote:
>
> > It sound like you need to talk to the cafeteria staff or food services
> > provider.  Ask them to not put the foam cups out for students to take.  It
> > is probably costing the school a lot of unneeded funds, in addition to the
> > environmental issue.  Students should have to go to the cafeteria counter to
> > ask for a to-go cup if they need one.  I bet a lot fewer students will take
> > them if they are not out and up for grabs.
> >
> > Does anyone know of a company that manufactures paper coffee cups made with
> > recycled fibers?  That would be an improvement over styrofoam, if it's
> > impossible to get people away from the disposable mindset.  Or at least get
> > them to buy paper cups made with unbleached paper, so that it's a more
> > environmentally friendly product in the area of fewer toxics.
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: Stephen N Weisser [mailto:steve1092@yahoo.com]
> > Sent: Wednesday, March 06, 2002 10:18 AM
> > To: Laura English; greenyes@grrn.org
> > Subject: RE: [GreenYes] recycled paper and styrofoam cups
> >
> >
> > I attended an Earth Day/Week program at Millersville University
> > (millsersv.edu) and I forget what their dining services did (or if they did)
> > anything to encourage using glass cups...They had the same issues as you
> > site, that I do remember.  Perhaps a club/student group could get on this
> > cause and make posters or get some kind of campaign going.
> >
> > Steve
> >
> > ----
> > http://www.greenpartylancasterpa.org
> >
> > -----Original Message-----
> > From: owner-greenyes@grrn.org [mailto:owner-greenyes@grrn.org]On Behalf
> > Of Laura English
> > Sent: Wednesday, March 06, 2002 9:51 AM
> > To: greenyes@grrn.org
> > Subject: [GreenYes] recycled paper and styrofoam cups
> >
> >
> > Wow!  I am very glad I joined Greenyes.  In less than
> > 24 hours, I have received so many great ideas to take
> > to my meeting with the president.  With the
> > information I've received in hand, I suppose my next
> > step is to find out how much we pay for the
> > copy/printing paper (100% made in Brazil, by the way),
> > as well as whether we have a contract with the paper
> > company.
> > As for the use of styrofoam cups in the cafeteria...
> > I received the suggestion to convince the cafeteria to
> > charge more for a drink in a styrofoam cup than a
> > glass one; unfortunately that isn't possible b/c at
> > our school students can eat or drink as much as they
> > want at an individual meal.  Our housing and food plan
> > pay for as much food as we want.  Another one of the
> > reasons students use styrofoam cups (and plates and
> > bowls) is that there is sometimes a shortage of the
> > regular dishes b/c so many students take them back to
> > their room with them.  I suppose that problem needs to
> > be tackled first and then I can speak with the
> > director of dining services about the styrofoam cups
> > (maybe I can convince him to put a sign there
> > encouraging students to only use the styrofoam cups if
> > they are taking their drink out of the cafeteria--not
> > ideal, but a step).
> > Thanks again for everyone's help and great advice!
> > -Laura English
> >
> > __________________________________________________
> > Do You Yahoo!?
> > Try FREE Yahoo! Mail - the world's greatest free email!
> > http://mail.yahoo.com/
> > ******************************************
> > To post to the greenyes list,
> > email to: greenyes@grrn.org
> >
> > Subscription information for
> > this list is available here:
> > http://www.grrn.org/general/greenyes.html
> > ******************************************
> >
> >
> > _________________________________________________________
> > Do You Yahoo!?
> > Get your free @yahoo.com address at http://mail.yahoo.com
> >
> > ******************************************
> > To post to the greenyes list,
> > email to: greenyes@grrn.org
> >
> > Subscription information for
> > this list is available here:
> > http://www.grrn.org/general/greenyes.html
> > ******************************************
> >
> >
> >
> > ******************************************
> > To post to the greenyes list,
> > email to: greenyes@grrn.org
> >
> > Subscription information for
> > this list is available here:
> > http://www.grrn.org/general/greenyes.html
> > ******************************************
> >
>
> ******************************************
> To post to the greenyes list,
> email to: greenyes@grrn.org
>
> Subscription information for
> this list is available here:
> http://www.grrn.org/general/greenyes.html
> ******************************************

******************************************
To post to the greenyes list,
email to: greenyes@grrn.org

subscription, faq and netiquette info for
this list are available here:
http://greenyes.grrn.org/
Please be sure to read the faq and netiquette
pages before posting.
******************************************