Overall Rating Gold - expired
Overall Score 72.58
Liaison Tom Twist
Submission Date June 12, 2020
Executive Letter Download

STARS v2.1

Bates College
IN-24: Innovation A

Status Score Responsible Party
Complete 1.00 / 1.00 Tom Twist
Sustainability Manager
Facilities
"---" indicates that no data was submitted for this field

Name or title of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome:
Elimination of all Disposable Dishware from Dining Commons

A brief description of the innovative policy, practice, program, or outcome that outlines how credit criteria are met and any positive measurable outcomes associated with the innovation:
Through one of our Bates Green Innovations Grants, a team of students was given funding to explore the option of eliminating disposable dishware and to-go coffee mugs from our Dining Commons. They formed a joint committee with Dining and the sustainability office and found several cost-neutral alternatives to disposable dishware, particularly the to-go paper/plastic hot beverage containers. In the end, they found that they could give each incoming first year their own stainless steel to-go mug for the same cost as Dining purchasing disposable cups. Together with an outreach campaign and a mug-washing station, the action of these students is currently saving the college from throwing away 750,000 disposable cups every year.

Which of the following impact areas does the innovation most closely relate to? (select up to three):
Campus Engagement
Food & Dining
Waste

Optional Fields

A letter of affirmation from an individual with relevant expertise or a press release or publication featuring the innovation :
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None
The website URL where information about the innovation is available :
Additional documentation to support the submission:
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Data source(s) and notes about the submission:
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