Together, the Faculty Student Association (FSA), CulinArt and the Undergraduate Student Government (USG) are making strides toward reducing the amount of plastic waste produced by the dining operations and shifting to more environmentally friendly materials.
“Sustainability is making choices with long-term perspectives to the environment and society. By leading the initiative with FSA to transition away from using disposable plastics, and instead using compostable containers, we are guiding Seawolves to live a greener and more sustainable lifestyle,” explained Shaheer Khan, USG President. Biodegradable Party Cups
According to Plastic Oceans , more than 8 million tons of plastic waste are dumped into oceans each year. Plastic waste has an immense negative impact on the environment as it pollutes waterways, its disposal clogs up landfills and litters the land and water, and causes severe problems in marine habitats.
The shift began last spring at Midnight Breakfast where alternative serviceware was used instead of plastic materials and utensils to serve more than 2,900 students. This academic year dining locations have transitioned away from using disposable plastics and instead are using compostable containers made from sugarcane, paper products and Greenware , drink cups and containers made entirely from annually renewable plants – not petroleum.
“We pride ourselves on finding ways to make Stony Brook a more sustainable campus, and this impactful transition away from disposable plastics will annually decrease the use of over 300,000 plastic serveware items from the SAC Food Court, for instance,” stated Dawn Villacci, FSA Manager for Campus Dining.
Making Strides at Plastic Reduction
Beginning in January 2020, Stony Brook University will be participating in RecycleMania , an eight-week competition for colleges and universities focused on reducing waste and increasing recycling. In 2019, 5.1 million students, faculty and staff from 300 American and Canadian campuses recycled and composted 69.5 million pounds of waste and cut out 300 million single-use plastic containers from the waste stream.
To learn more about dining sustainabilities initiatives, visit stonybrook.edu/fsa . If you have ideas on additional ways to make Stony Brook a greener campus, please submit your feedback at the FSA website .
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