It can be easy to feel hopeless when faced with the barrage of media reports on environmental degradation and the impact of global warming. Young adults and students are making their voices heard and demanding action be taken. Small changes which engage many people not only empower and educate those participating but also have the potential to have a cumulative effect, changing behaviors beyond the original target.
Such a change has been made at part time faculty monthly Lunch and Learn Events organized
by the Faculty Professional Development Committee. Faced every month with trash bags
full of waste food, single use plates, cups, knives, forks and packaging Molly Ledermann
approached Recycle Manager Rebecca Andrews to ask if the events could become Zero
Waste. Zero Waste aims to minimize material sent to landfill by making changes to
the products used.
In February the Lunch and Learn switched to using all BPI Certified Compostable tableware, additionally they used reusable serving platters, and minimized packaging. The recycle department provided a separate bin for all the compostable items and collected it after the event. The material will be composted at the City of Ann Arbor’s compost facility, previously it would have been landfilled.
If you would like to learn more about Zero Waste events or composting contact Becky Andrews at [email protected].