By SVEA JONES
As Beloit College strives to promote sustainability, students are raising concerns about the effectiveness of its practices, particularly regarding single-use disposable containers. The recent opening of DK’s in Pearsons Hall in September 2024 has intensified scrutiny over whether the college’s food services are genuinely contributing to a sustainable campus. To investigate, I examined the foodware options available at DK’s, including cutlery, straws, boxes, and cups. The establishment offers Ingeo™ 324 paper cups for hot drinks and Greenware® GC16S cups for cold beverages. For food containers, there are Envirable™ boxes, which are larger paper-like containers designed for meals, and Practiv 2160 boxes made from corn solids that mimic plastic for snacks. The straws are simple paper, and the silverware is Dixie Smartstock N02–plastic. Among these offerings, the only things that are pure plastic are the knives, spoons, and forks. While many of these products are labeled as compostable, questions arise about their actual disposal, particularly when they contain food waste.
To gain insight into this issue, I spoke with LeeAnn Ryan, the facilities office manager responsible for waste management at Beloit College. During our discussion, I inquired about the containers labeled as “industrially/commercially compostable only,” which come with the caveat that “facilities may not exist in your area.” Ryan explained that behind Pearson’s Hall, there are separate dumpsters for trash and recycling, but no sorting is done. “Bon Appetit is responsible for the trash and the areas within DK’s,” she stated. This suggests that despite the compostable labeling, many of these containers will likely end up in landfills, undermining their intended environmental benefits.
A recent history of Beloit Colleges trash disposal initiatives. Syd Clark’23 emerged as a leader in the Sustain Beloit initiative, which aims to keep recyclables out of landfills and promote sustainability within the community. After noticing a significant amount of recyclables being improperly discarded, Clark took the initiative to encourage fellow students to take ownership of their waste management practices. This effort led to a partnership with the City of Beloit and Waste Management, addressing the nearly three tons of waste produced on campus each week. The program not only educates the campus community about proper recycling but also aims to create safer working conditions for facility employees.
However, as Ryan noted, this transition has illuminated broader challenges in waste management, particularly the critical issue of contamination in recycling bins. Under the new system, students are encouraged to learn what can be recycled and what should be discarded as trash, with clear guidelines provided to help them navigate this responsibility. While the initiative promotes ownership of waste management, it requires ongoing education and cooperation to ensure that recycling efforts are effective.
Ryan explained that waste management employs a photo-monitoring system to detect contamination, meaning that even a single plastic bag in a recycling bin can result in the entire container being labeled as contaminated, potentially leading to additional fees for the college. She also highlighted the confusion surrounding blue bags intended for recycling, which have contributed to contamination among students. “Initially, we were finding food waste in what was supposed to be recycling—banana peels and that kind of stuff. We aren’t seeing that anymore. Our biggest issue now is the bags,” Ryan assured.
While the transition to this new system has alleviated some burdens on grounds and housekeeping tasks, the mantra “your trash, your task” means that designated trash disposals in dorm halls have become less of an eyesore. However, a lack of knowledge among students about proper waste disposal has led to contamination issues, resulting in extra fees for the school. Although the college cannot control students’ choices, Beloit Waste Management has granted the school leniency regarding these contamination fees due to their frequency.
This situation underscores the need for greater collaboration between the college, Bon Appetit, and the waste management company to establish a clear and efficient system for handling compostable waste. Most importantly, it highlights the importance of student education and awareness regarding proper waste disposal and recycling practices. Only through a combined effort can Beloit College fully realize its commitment to sustainability, ensuring that its practices align with its stated goals.
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