2008 Woodie Awards
ASR votes on Styrofoam
Resolution limiting containers passes, University explores biodegradable options
Josh Currie and Ryan Cypher
Issue date: 2/22/08 Section: News
On Feb. 4, the Association of Student Representatives (ASR) passed a resolution by unanimous vote on the use of Styrofoam in Trinity dining halls.
This resolution is part of an initiative by the newly instituted Presidential Task Force on Sustainability, formed by President John R. Brazil at the beginning of the fall semester.
According to the resolution, Trinity University Dining Services uses approximately 400 to 500 Styrofoam to-go containers a day. However, Styrofoam is the most difficult common plastic to recycle and it takes an extraordinarily long time to decompose. Styrofoam is the source of a variety of environmental problems.
"Trinity University Association of Student Representatives calls on the University to eliminate all use of Styrofoam in its dining halls," according to the resolution.
David Tuttle, dean of students and director of Residential Life, who is on the sustainability task force, said that one of the things that they talked about was the fact that Styrofoam was bad for the environment, and that students will continually use Styrofoam to-go containers even though they do not always take them to go.
"I think it is a big deal to most students and that was reflected in ASR's vote when they weighted the self-interest of individual students against the overall health of the planet and I think that they made the right choice," Tuttle said.
According to Junior Alex Wallender, who is also on the task force, one of Trinity's most visible environmental impacts is the massive Styrofoam usage.
Last spring, Wallender collected all of the Styrofoam in one evening that had been thrown away and made a huge display in the lobby of Mabee to increase student awareness about just how many Styrofoam containers were used instead of reusable plates.
"That works for a couple weeks and then it stops," Tuttle said. "That awareness has to be part of a much more comprehensive culture shift in terms of sustainability and the environment. You can't just put up a few fliers now and then that says don't take Styrofoam if you don't need it."
This resolution is part of an initiative by the newly instituted Presidential Task Force on Sustainability, formed by President John R. Brazil at the beginning of the fall semester.
According to the resolution, Trinity University Dining Services uses approximately 400 to 500 Styrofoam to-go containers a day. However, Styrofoam is the most difficult common plastic to recycle and it takes an extraordinarily long time to decompose. Styrofoam is the source of a variety of environmental problems.
"Trinity University Association of Student Representatives calls on the University to eliminate all use of Styrofoam in its dining halls," according to the resolution.
David Tuttle, dean of students and director of Residential Life, who is on the sustainability task force, said that one of the things that they talked about was the fact that Styrofoam was bad for the environment, and that students will continually use Styrofoam to-go containers even though they do not always take them to go.
"I think it is a big deal to most students and that was reflected in ASR's vote when they weighted the self-interest of individual students against the overall health of the planet and I think that they made the right choice," Tuttle said.
According to Junior Alex Wallender, who is also on the task force, one of Trinity's most visible environmental impacts is the massive Styrofoam usage.
Last spring, Wallender collected all of the Styrofoam in one evening that had been thrown away and made a huge display in the lobby of Mabee to increase student awareness about just how many Styrofoam containers were used instead of reusable plates.
"That works for a couple weeks and then it stops," Tuttle said. "That awareness has to be part of a much more comprehensive culture shift in terms of sustainability and the environment. You can't just put up a few fliers now and then that says don't take Styrofoam if you don't need it."
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