By: Monika Terzic
A Step Towards A Sustainable Future
In 2017, UW Food Services took a big step towards sustainability when they launched their Eco-Container program at The Market in Claudette Millar Hall (UWP). This initiative has since spread to all the residences across campus and decreased the need for single use disposable takeout containers! The Eco-Container program was met with great enthusiasm and success. Now, six years later in September 2023, UW Food Services and the Sustainability Office celebrated yet another remarkable milestone as they distributed 3,000 eco-containers to traditional meal plan holders at no cost, marking an exciting expansion of the program.
This is a remarkable achievement that not only showcases the university's commitment to environmental sustainability but also represents a significant reduction in single-use plastic waste on campus. This expansion was made possible through "a generous granted provided by the Sustainability Action Fund (SAF), a funding stream through the President's Advisory Committee on Environmental Sustainability (PACES) that actively supports projects and initiatives that improve sustainability at the University of Waterloo.
The expansion of the Eco-Container program exemplifies the University of Waterloo's dedication to creating a more sustainable and eco-friendly campus. None of this would be possible without the teams at Campus Housing for their help in distributing the eco-containers to students and staff at the Sustainability Office who initiated and partnered on the project. A huge thank you goes out to everyone who helped put this all together! This achievement has demonstrated the impact that collaboration, innovation, and community engagement can have on reducing single-use plastic waste. With continued efforts like these, UW Food Services continues to uphold their values surrounding sustainable practices for a brighter, cleaner future for everyone in the UW campus community.
We Want to Hear From You!
As the Eco-Container program continues to grow, UW Food Services is eager to hear from the campus community about additional sustainable initiatives they would like to see implemented. Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to voice their thoughts and ideas on Instagram by following @UWaterlooFood. Your input can help shape the future of sustainability initiatives on campus!
