Styrofoam likely to be phased out on campus

The Gonzaga Student Body Association (GSBA), in a joint resolution with the Gonzaga Environmental Organization (GEO), called for a ban of Styrofoam on campus Feb. 8.

GEO came to GSBA with concerns about food providers on campus using Styrofoam for take-out containers and catering. After doing the research, GEO concluded that the cost to switch from Styrofoam to more earth-friendly materials was negligible.

"I feel like this is an important issue on Gonzaga's campus because Gonzaga's expressed a renewed enthusiasm for promoting sustainability," said Micah Howe, speaker of the Senate and executive sponsor of the Styrofoam ban.

Because Gonzaga is in Spokane County, which incinerates its garbage, Styrofoam's effects on the environment were an impetus for the ban of Styrofoam on campus.

"We really need to take into consideration how many chemicals and hazardous byproducts are released into the atmosphere when our garbage is incinerated," Howe said.

According to research cited in the resolution, the Environmental Protection Agency and National Bureau of Standard Center for Fire Research state that Styrofoam production is the fifth largest creator of hazardous waste. Its incineration materials can release up to 57 hazardous chemical byproducts.

Howe believes that use of Styrofoam was a habit.

"It's been used for years, and unless someone challenges the status quo, nothing's going to change," Howe said.

GSBA and GEO were concerned most about Panda Express' use of Styrofoam to-go containers, but did not know how to contact them because they are not a direct affiliate of Gonzaga's dining services.

The groups were encouraged when they heard that a similar initiative was taken by a student group at Washington State University, whose branch of Panda Express had switched over to compostable, cardboard alternatives.

After contacting the purchasing manager at Panda Express, GSBA and GEO are optimistic that Panda Express is taking the proper steps to phase out Styrofoam on campus.

Howe said the next step for the resolution is to ask Athletics and clubs on campus to stop using Styrofoam for their food services.

The bill passed 21-1, which indicated that the student body would support the resolution, Howe explained.

After drafting the bill, GSBA brought it to the attention of Student Life, which communicated with Sodexo, according to Senior Class Senator Stephani Shriver.

"It looks like everything is in motion to start changing this summer or next fall," Shriver said.

Shriver explained that the removal of Styrofoam may take until next school year because of purchasing patterns and use of supplies already on hand. Because the dining facilities are closed over the summer, this time is great for a switch to a new product, she said.

Sodexo Marketing Specialist Sarah Clifford said they have made the switch to more earth-friendly to-go products and plan to come out with some new options in the fall as well.

Clifford explained that the switch will include to-go containers that students can take back to their dorm and bring back dirty to Sodexo, which will wash them.

Duff's, on the first level of the Kennedy Apartments, has started a program where students can take the dishes to their apartments and bring them back later dirty. This is a further effort to encourage students not to use to-go containers, Sodexo Resident District Manager Chuck Faulkinberry said.

Sodexo also recently spent $16,000 on a compost dumpster behind the COG. Sodexo would like to transition to even more sustainable alternatives, like compostable trash bags, but cost is a factor.

"It costs $1 a bag. You think about the trash bags you use in your house, you could be spending $100 for 100 bags. Economically we can't do that, so we're trying to find other alternatives," Faulkinberry said.

"The other thing we struggle with as well, you know it's all about reducing your carbon footprint, but to get these compostable items you have to order them from China. So are you really reducing your carbon footprint by having a plane – you really have to look at the big picture. You can say, ‘Oh yeah, it's great we don't use this, this and this.' But what did it take for us to get there?" Clifford said.

GEO Treasurer David Dunphy reflected on Gonzaga's late-coming to the sustainability movement.

"I think a University is supposed to be a place of learning … and we can challenge people's perceptions here so they can go out into the world ready to promote sustainability in all walks of life and all businesses they work with. We have to be willing to take bold steps to do that," Dunphy said.

Dunphy is excited that Gonzaga President Thayne McCulloh has signed the college climate commitment act that will prompt the University to seriously audit transportation, food and facilities to evaluate and reduce the University's carbon footprint.

"A Jesuit education is challenging you to realize that when you have an issue that's pertinent now and you know it will affect you for the rest of your life; it's about ‘How do I fit into the big picture? How do I live in service through my actions here that affect everybody?'" Dunphy said.

Dunphy hoped that in addition to food services, plant services will eventually use compost on campus. Dunphy said the plant services grounds department doesn't want to use compostable fertilizer on flower beds because it doesn't fit with the aesthetics of the campus, but Dunphy argued that we need to redefine what the ideal campus looks like.

"From a mission standpoint I would want to go to a campus that is the forefront of what our society should be and is preparing me for that. I think that's creating a sustainable campus … and is actively engaging other environmental issues. Every campus can have green grass, let's do something special," Dunphy said.