For the generation of eco-minded individuals, there has been a lot of complaining over the lack of trays in Creighton’s dining halls.
Starting this academic year, Brandeis and Becker Dinning Halls threw out the large fiberglass trays used to carry food to and from the tables. Trying to go green with the placement of recycling bins in every dorm and apartment, the smoking ban and a heavier emphasis on BlueLine, Creighton took another step by ridding itself of the heavy trays.
Venturing through Brandeis, I have heard what the students say about the lack of trays.
One female student said, “This is so dumb. Why would they get rid of all the trays? This really sucks.”
Well, young lady, I know exactly why they got rid of the trays. According to the posters in Brandeis, the trays were eliminated to reduce food waste and limit water usage on campus.
Food waste is a major problem in the world, not just in the United States.
Half of all food produced is wasted. According to the Environmental Protection Agency, the average American generates 1.3 pounds of food waste every day. Even more shocking is that only 5 percent of America’s leftovers from one day could feed four million people.
In order to stop wasting so much food, the trays in Brandeis and Becker Dining Halls were eliminated so students will not take numerous entr̩es to their table, hence, not as much food will be thrown out. According to USA Today, campuses that have eliminated trays recently have seen a dramatic cut in food waste Рup to 50 percent.
Not only is food waste being reduced, but the water wasted from cleaning hundreds of trays per day is being saved. Gallons of water are poured down the drain because of the amount needed to clean the trays.
With all these great benefits in order to reduce waste, why are the majority of students in the dining halls complaining?
Because we’re lazy.
That is the bulk of it.
Students would rather take 12 entrées to their seat at once to determine which one tastes the least like glue instead putting in a little more effort and making multiple trips.
Although we are a green generation, we are also the generation spoiled by technology. Laziness has been bred from the comfort of our computers. We can check our e-mail, do our homework, communicate with our friends and families and purchase books and clothes without leaving the residence halls.
We’ve been conditioned to take the easiest route possible, and the elimination of trays doesn’t mesh well with the way our minds are programmed to do everything at once.
After one student read the posted sign in Brandeis, he retorted with, “Yeah. It makes sense why they’re doing it, but I hate having to come back just to get my glass of milk because I can’t carry it.”
Unfortunately for this student, he can’t do anything about the newly enforced rule besides fashioning a chunk of plywood to carry his plates, cups, silverware and glass of milk.