The Martlet

In an effort to reduce waste and green-up, UVic Food Services has replaced plastic disposable cutlery in all their campus eateries with an eco-friendly bamboo alternative.

“Our mandate is to be environmentally friendly; it’s the mandate of the university,” said Residence Dining Co-ordinator Kevin Loughran. “We’re trying to get away from plastic because, obviously, plastic is not biodegradable, not compostable, and bamboo is.”

A fast-growing member of the grass family, bamboo is a more environmentally-sound choice for disposable products. Instead of going in the garbage, the bamboo cutlery can be dropped in campus compost bins.

Although the new cutlery is expensive — four times the cost of plastic — it will not affect the cost of food in the cafeterias. In fact, it might save the university money if it means students are more willing to use disposable cutlery.

“There’s a major ongoing problem with students taking [metal] cutlery [and not returning it], and this might help a bit,” said Loughran. He estimates that “borrowed” cutlery costs Food Services thousands of dollars each year.

“Instead of grabbing a metal knife and fork, they can grab a wooden knife and fork,” Loughran said. “It’s good for us, good for them, and they probably feel better because it’s environmentally friendly.”

This initiative is just one part of a campus-wide plan to reduce carbon emissions and garbage.

“The overall aim is to reduce output altogether,” said Sarah Webb, UVic’s sustainability co-ordinator. “I’d like to see us move toward a zero-waste campus.”

Student response has been positive overall. 

“I like that they’re recyclable,” said UVic student Olivia Hustins, who uses the new cutlery. “They’re totally sweet.”