May 1—Campus Dining Services at the University of Missouri, in Columbia, recorded a 15,000-pound decrease in food waste over the past two years after eliminating trays from dining halls.
The trayless initiative not only decreased food waste but also decreased water waste by 100,000 gallons per year, according to an MU news release.
Campus Dining has been weighing food waste for a few years now, said Michael Wuest, marketing manager of Campus Dining Services. A random sampling of 100 plates is conducted after various meals every month and measured for waste. The trayless initiative began around 2008, with strong support from the Missouri Students Association and the Residence Halls Association. Wuest said Campus Dining has received more positive feedback than negative feedback about going trayless since the change went into effect.