One of the USEFULL dish return stations sits inside the University Memorial Center. (Chloe Fischer/CU Independent)
This school year, the University of Colorado Boulder implemented a new system for dishes at Alferd Packer Grill and the Sustainability, Energy & Environment Community Café. The new structure, called USEFULL Dishes, requires students to check out containers for their food and return them within three days.
Students enter the University Memorial Center dining hall and have the option to get an entree and two sides, or four sides. While some students praise the new system, others like said it can be inconvenient.
Freshman Maci Read said the Center for Community (C4C) was easier compared to the Alferd Packer Grill.
“I really only use them when I want acai bowls,” Read said. “I feel discouraged from using the dishes. The USEFULL dishes should only be used for students who want to take the food home.”
If students do not return the dishes on time, they are charged $1 per day for fourteen days. Once the two week period passes, students pay a $25 fee per meal container and $17 per cup. Previously, the dining hall utilized a more standard approach. Students would take as much food as desired and return their dishes to a tray return within the dining hall. With this new system, students have displayed many different reactions.
Freshman Scarlett Richardson said that if she could change something about the dish return, she would use regualr to-go boxes that users don’t have to return. Richardson said she primarily does not use the containers because of the fee and location.
“I have to take it back to the UMC across campus,” Richardson said. “It would be more convenient at the (C4C).”
Both students shared the belief that the method is inconvenient and hard to work around, especially considering the cost.
Other students feel differently. Freshman Ani Griffiths said she enjoys the USEFULL system. Griffiths said she does not feel discouraged from eating at Alferd Packer and often feels motivated to return her dishes.
“They are super handy and convenient for studying when working in the UMC,” Griffiths said. “The price makes sense for what you get out of it.”
The university implemented the system address waste concerns. The goal is to reduce waste in landfills and promote more sustainable dining methods. Rather than installing a regular grab and go with disposable containers made of materials like foam or aluminum foil, these reusable containers help prevent excessive waste on campus. Environmental Center Director Chris Herr said that of the estimated 84,056 containers checked out, around 99.3% have been returned on time.
Herr said the change came from a student who researched the cost and impact of disposable dishes. The student was able to receive funding from the student-led Sustainable CU Fund, managed by the Environmental Board and ordered materials and administered tests with the dining staff.
“Campus Dining have been fantastic partners and took care of the rest and have really owned the operational side of this thing,” Herr said.
Regarding reactions of students, the Environmental Center has received little negative feedback. They have made adjustments to accommodate users such as changing the check out length from two days to three days.
“We have been met with enthusiasm from students, staff and faculty,” Herr said.
Contact CU Independent Staff Writer Lucy Hopkins at luho9245@colorado.edu
