CSE Student Groups are encouraged to consider sustainability when requesting funds, making purchases, and overall planning events and initiatives. What may seem like small actions can compound to have a large impact.
The Science and Engineering Student Board Sustainability Committee recommends the following steps.
- Be aware of how many people will attend your event/meeting to avoid over-purchasing items.
- If you over purchase, save shelf stable items to be used at a future event and keep records to ensure that saved items aren't forgotten when making future purchases.
- If cooking or providing food at an event, it is recommended to cut down on waste by just using napkins instead of plates for things like hot dogs, hamburgers, etc. Similar to a fast food restaurant, these types of food items can be eaten cleanly with limited supplies.
- If needed, buy compostable dinnerware (available at most major retailers) that can be disposed of in campus compost bins to cut down on plastic landfill waste.
- If using compostable or recyclable dinnerware announce to your guests where they should properly dispose of items rather than defaulting to trash.
- Consider reducing the purchase of individual single use water bottles by encouraging folks to bring their own reusable bottle. You may also consider purchasing reusable pitchers that can be filled at bottle-filling water fountains or sinks and bring them to events for guests with compostable cups.
- Shop and cater local! It cuts down on environmental costs associated with long-distance transportation.
- City of Minneapolis Recycling Guide
- Recycling at the U
- Consult with the Science and Engineering Student Board Sustainability Committee