D2 Is Going Trayless for Earth Week

As part of an ongoing effort to reduce food waste and water consumption in Virginia Tech dining centers, trays will not be available in D2 during the week of April 21. The trays will return Monday, April 28.

This is the second portion of a trial study to measure the amount of food discarded both when trays are used and when only serving dishes are available. Similar studies have taken place at Dartmouth College, the University of Connecticut, the University of Kansas, and many other colleges in recent years, with a 30 to 50 percent reduction in uneaten food waste. Please support our efforts as we try to find ways to reduce our impact on the environment and keep consumer costs down.

Why go trayless?

Going trayless helps to reduce waste by encouraging us to only put food on our plates that we are truly hungry for. Waste includes more than just the food being thrown out. It aslso includes the water being used to wash the extra plates and trays and the utilites used in the cooking process.

Going trayless is:

• Environmentally beneficial because it saves the fossil fuel that is required to grow, process, transportm prepare, cook, and clean up the food.
• Nutritionally beneficial because it helps customers choose their food more wisely. Many times customers' eyes are bigger than their stomachs. D2 is still an all-you-care-to-eat facility, so customers can contine to go back for more food.
• Economically beneficial because it helps to reduce food, water, and utility waste. The monetary savings can be passed on the customer by kepping dining plan prices low.

This study is being conducted in conjunction with the Student Programs Student Advisory Committee, the Student Government Association, the Environmental Coalition at Virginia Tech, and the GREEN Team of Virginia Tech.

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