Tray-Less Wins!

Sustainability Intern Calculates 16% Waste Reduction
Students returning from Winter break probably noticed something missing from the DC's. The 16% reduction in food waste calculated during Tray-Less nights in October, as well as a show of student support for tray-less dining, persuaded Cal Dining to remove trays from Crossroads, Cafe 3, and Clark Kerr this semester.


The study, conducted by Dining Sustainability Intern Jenna Kingkade, involved weighing the compost bins at Crossroads during three tray-less nights and one regular night. The average ounces of food-waste per student was calculated on all nights and analyzed to calculate the total waste reduction. 


The decision to go tray-less marks a win for the DSEC program, which began campaigning for tray-less dining last year, as well as the Residence Hall Association, which worked hard in the Fall to educate students and garner their support for tray-less dining. 


Removing the trays is expected to result in substantial energy, water and cost savings as well as food waste reduction. Statistics on these savings may be available at a later date. In the meantime, students who choose to stick with the tray-less program can be satisfied that they are contributing to a healthier planet.