Too Much Pre-Packaged!

As part of our general research on this topic, we interviewed SFU Surrey students on the topic of “waste management” and “over packaging”. One student replied to the question of “what do you do to cut down your waste?” in a very intelligent, creative and yet logical way. He said, that when shopping for groceries he is overly conscious of packaging in foods right down to the cheese! He was sure not to buy precut cheeses because they add the growing problem of waste.

Essentially, it needs to get down to this…the smallest things are filling out landfills: straws, bottle caps, and cheese packaging! Too much garbage is produced in food courts, from take out containers, utensils, cups, etc.

The US population tosses out enough paper and plastic cups, forks and spoons every year to circle the equator 300 times. Trashbusters asks you to think twice before using a straw, grabbing an extra napkin, or eating out.

Saving the World- One Plate at a Time!

The food court in Oakville Place, in downtown Toronto, has taken on a great initiative, called The Plate Program, which is estimated to reduce the food court garbage by 50% in the coming year.

The new, eco-friendly initiative enhances the experience of eating in a Food Court and contributes to waste management and reduction at the same time. Customers of the Oakville Place food court, “have the option to select their own restaurant quality plate and have their meal served without generating the waste from a disposable plate.”

“At Oakville Place, we want to treat our customers to a more sophisticated shopping experience, and the first step in the Food Court is to enjoy a meal on real dishes. Once customers are finished their meal, we will remove their plates and tray – and we do the dishes!” says Jenny Jovanovic, Marketing Coordinator for Oakville Place.

The Trashbusters have contacted Jenny and hope to learn more about this fantastic initiative!

For further information visit www.oakvilleplace.com.