Reduce Your Waste

As you may know, food waste in the dining halls is a BIG problem. So big, that each year, UMass Office of Waste Management (OWM) removes about 30,000 pounds of waste from the four dining commons each MONTH!

Where is all this waste coming from? How can we work together to decrease the food waste in the dining halls?

YOU CAN HELP!

Here are some tips to help reduce your food waste:

  • Explore Your Options: Walk through the DC and scan the options before picking up a plate – that way you know exactly what you want instead of grazing (this is good for your waste/waist line too!)
  • Go Trayless: Instead of instinctively grabbing a tray at the beginning of the line, take only 1 plate to fill with food.
  • Go Back for Seconds: Remember, it is okay to return for seconds if you are still hungry – you don’t have to guess how much food you can eat on your first run by
  • Take Smaller Portions: Watch out for that “Eyes are bigger than your stomach” phenomenon. Take smaller portions at first, then return for more if you are still hungry.
  • Check out the menu before you arrive: That way you know exactly what is being served. Here’s what’s on the menu today: http://www.umassdining.com/specials-menu/daily-menu/
  • Use non-disposable plates and silverware when eating in the DC: Save “To-Go” cups, bowls and spoons only for when you are actually leaving!

GOOD NEWS – Most of the food waste is compostable and can be recycled and turned into nutrient rich potting soil and compost! And here at UMass Amherst, Compost is King! Look for Barnaby, the composting mascot to help remind you to compost food waste and only trash real trash.

If it can be composted… be LAZY! Just leave it on your tray!

Compost Includes:

  • Napkins!!
  • ALL uneaten food
  • Egg shells
  • All fruit rinds, peels and skins too!
  • Grains, cereals, breads and desserts
  • Paper cups
  • Popsicle and coffee stir sticks
  • Tea bags
  • Muffin wrappers
  • Newspapers

Taking out the trash can be EXPENSIVE! Help us reduce the cost of trash removal (and the cost of your meal plan) by putting only real trash in that big gray trash can. Trash is:

  • Plastic spoons
  • Paper ice cream cups
  • Cracker wrappers
  • Plastic, Styrofoam, aluminum

UMass Amherst OWM has been composting the food waste on campus for over 10 years! OWM not only collects food waste from the 4 Dining Halls (Berkshire, Hampshire, Franklin and Worcester), but also collects food waste from retail locations such as Hampden, Earthfoods, People’s Market and now The Blue Wall too! In addition to food waste, OWM incorporates green waste like grass clippings, tree branches and animal bedding from the campus farm to recycle and compost.

In 1998 UMass Amherst moved its food waste compost operation to Greenfield, MA, where a local farmer combines UMass food waste with other organic waste and turns it into a rich blend of hummus/compost to sell to the public. In this local business partnership, UMass is able to contribute to a sustainable food system where the Pioneer Valley community benefits from access to locally produced compost.

UMass Students can make a difference! Do your part to reduce food waste and if there is food left over – then you can do your part to decrease the trash in the land fill – COMPOST your trash. Remember: Compost is King and Winners always compost!!