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University of Maine students who utilize dining facilities regularly could be able to take food home in a greener way if an upcoming trial run of a new program shows positive results.
GreenToGo, the pilot program, will run in the Memorial Union Marketplace from March 14 to May 6. Reusable BPA-free plastic containers will be offered to reduce the amount of paper products the dining system uses.
The process is relatively straightforward. Participants in the pilot will pay a $5 deposit and receive a voucher for a container. When ordering food from any of the venues in the Marketplace, participants will then turn in this voucher to show they want to use a GreenToGo container instead of a regular one.
“Basically, it’s to cut down on paper use,” said Kathy Kittridge, director of dining operations for Black Bear Dining.
The container can be taken home for as long as the user wants. It can be brought back and exchanged for another voucher. The container is then washed and re-used by the staff at Dining Services, to be given out to the next person who asks for one.
“We’ve been signing people up for the program for the last couple of weeks,” said Kittridge.
The participants will be asked to take surveys and provide feedback on the program. With initial hopes to sign up at least 100 participants, Kittridge said this number has grown closer to 200.
At the end of the program, students can choose whether or not to turn in their containers.
“They can get their five dollars back or keep the containers,” Kittridge said.
The pilot will determine whether the program is feasible for dining services. Handling the containers in an efficient manner will be the key to its success.
The Green Team, a student organization aimed at improving efficiency and sustainability on campus, will assist in handling the collection and distribution of the containers, according to Kittridge.
Similar programs have been utilized in schools like the University of Virginia and Duke University. The program at the University of Virginia features a punch card that enables students to track their participation and earn rewards for frequent use.
Bangor Daily News