July 10 — Ashland University in Ohio has been granted a variance from the Ohio Department of Health’s Food Safety Program to implement the use of reusable G.E.T. Eco Takeout containers. According to Dining Services, Ashland is the first university in the state to make use of such containers.
A news release from Dining Services stated that the Student Senate’s concern about the amount of polystyrene being thrown away each year prompted the department to look into new ways of reducing the large amount of non-recyclable materials.
The Eco takeout containers will be made available to the students as a green option when ordering food to go. Students can purchase a container for the cost of a meal swipe, and then can exchange the used container for a clean one the next time they purchase a to-go meal.