Written by Sarah Kyle
In its continued effort to “go green,” Aramark will introduce Green Thread to-go containers to the cafeteria Wednesday, Nov. 4.
The containers are made of a number 5 plastic, similar to that used in plastic cups. All containers are dishwasher-safe and will be sanitized after each use.
“The way it’s set up is you give a student a container for free, and they take it with them, use it, bring it back, and we give them a fresh [one],” George Strachan, director of Aramark, said. “They can go through the dishwashing machine to make sure they’re sanitary and stuff before you give them out again.”
The containers are said to last up to a year, and Strachan said this will help Harding do its part in conserving Styrofoam, which is not biodegradable.
“It’s both for Harding and for Aramark, to help with sustainability and Humanity’s group,” Strachan said. “We do our part in helping and conserving especially Styrofoam.”
Strachan said Aramark plans to track the use of the containers by having students write down their identification numbers and possibly eventually by using a scanning machine. By tracking how many students are using the containers, Aramark will be able to track how much of a difference the containers are making on Harding’s campus.
“We’ll be able to track how much less we’re using Styrofoam containers,” Strachan said. “That’s our key focus — hopefully seeing a reduction in Styrofoam containers.”
While Strachan said Aramark is looking at options to replace the to-go cups and silverware with greener options, for now the only change will be the to-go containers. Until logistics are further worked out, Strachan said Aramark is not completely doing away with the Styrofoam containers.
“It’s new, and we’re still not sure of the logistics of people bringing it back or forgetting,” Strachan said. “Hopefully once they get used to the new idea, they’ll try to remember it and take it back and get a new one.”
Green Thread was tried at five campuses last year, including Baylor University in Texas, University of Florida, University of North Carolina-Chapel Hill, Peace College in North Carolina and Salem College in North Carolina. At Baylor University alone, usage of disposable containers was reduced by 40 percent.
Strachan said Aramark plans to release the containers at a kickoff in the cafeteria Wednesday.
“[It’s a] little special deal in the cafeteria to promote and get the word out,” Strachan said. “We’re not totally eliminating the Styrofoam yet. Eventually we’ll reduce it as much as we can.”
