2008 Woodie Awards
Waste not, want not
Guest column
Issue date: 9/25/07 Section: Opinion
Has anyone else noticed the chilly temperatures inside many of SIUE's buildings this fall, or the unnecessary packaging of food at Morris University Center? These are among the wasteful reoccurrences happening here at SIUE every day.
Recently, I have sat in classrooms or in the MUC shivering due to the air conditioning being pumped into the buildings on campus. This is not only wasteful in terms of the environmental concerns that they raise, but are also wasteful to our pocketbooks. How much are these goose bumps costing us financially? Across campus and over the course of a year, the indoor climate control is costing us a fortune. This is not to say that I am for getting rid of AC in summer or heat in winter.
In a separate but related incident, I recently purchased some food from Taco Bell in the basement of the MUC. It was not a "to go order," but they packaged each item individually and then placed it in a bag … not on a reusable tray. Why can't Taco Bell and Pizza Hut utilize the reusable plates and trays already in use by Dining Services?
Additionally, why doesn't Dining Services use reusable cups? They are already washing plates, silverware and trays, and yet there is somehow a need for disposable paper cups? In a recent article in the Alestle, there was mention of plastic bottle usage and the new reusable plastic cups for people to purchase, take with them and reuse. What about the people who are consuming their beverages in the dining area? These people should not have to buy a "to go" cup or pay for paper cups. This should be a no-brainer.
I've also noticed sprinklers watering the campus' landscaping in the heat of the day. I thought by now that it was common knowledge that watering at nighttime reduces the amount of evaporation and therefore would require less water to gain the same effect.
Making some of these changes both as a campus and as individuals can save us big time. It would reduce the amount of waste, while saving both monetary and ecological capital at the same time. We should demand less waste and more for our money … not to mention our planet.
Kevin Rohling
Graduate Student
Recently, I have sat in classrooms or in the MUC shivering due to the air conditioning being pumped into the buildings on campus. This is not only wasteful in terms of the environmental concerns that they raise, but are also wasteful to our pocketbooks. How much are these goose bumps costing us financially? Across campus and over the course of a year, the indoor climate control is costing us a fortune. This is not to say that I am for getting rid of AC in summer or heat in winter.
In a separate but related incident, I recently purchased some food from Taco Bell in the basement of the MUC. It was not a "to go order," but they packaged each item individually and then placed it in a bag … not on a reusable tray. Why can't Taco Bell and Pizza Hut utilize the reusable plates and trays already in use by Dining Services?
Additionally, why doesn't Dining Services use reusable cups? They are already washing plates, silverware and trays, and yet there is somehow a need for disposable paper cups? In a recent article in the Alestle, there was mention of plastic bottle usage and the new reusable plastic cups for people to purchase, take with them and reuse. What about the people who are consuming their beverages in the dining area? These people should not have to buy a "to go" cup or pay for paper cups. This should be a no-brainer.
I've also noticed sprinklers watering the campus' landscaping in the heat of the day. I thought by now that it was common knowledge that watering at nighttime reduces the amount of evaporation and therefore would require less water to gain the same effect.
Making some of these changes both as a campus and as individuals can save us big time. It would reduce the amount of waste, while saving both monetary and ecological capital at the same time. We should demand less waste and more for our money … not to mention our planet.
Kevin Rohling
Graduate Student
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