RPCC goes "trayless" for Earth Day!

Hello All,

For all you dining folks on North Campus, Cornell Dining will go "trayless" at Robert Purcell Community Center for one day on April 22. The special "trayless" event celebrates Earth Day 2009 by removing trays to reduce food and water waste at one of the busiest "all you care to eat" dining halls on campus.

As of now, the dining halls that are "trayless" at Cornell are Risley Dining Hall, Carl Becker House, Hans Bethe House, William Keeton House, Flora Rose House and Okenshields (for dinner only).

The decision to go "trayless" was based on the following benefits:

1. Water and chemical savings from the reduction of water usage and the reduction of chemical solutions that would have been used or purchased to wash the trays.
2. Labor cost savings from the reduction of time needed to wash the trays
3. Reduction of food waste as people don't take as much food
4. Nutritional benefits as people only eat what they can carry in their hands
5. Decrease in breakage of glassware and plates

Not all the "all you care to eat" locations will transform into "trayless" locations because the facilities' dish belts may not be compatible with the removal of trays (i.e. RPCC and the tray stack). However, the Earth Day event will serve as both as a green event and a trial event to determine if RPCC can transform into a "trayless" location.

So, on April 22, 2009, visit RPCC to experience the "trayless" movement. If you cannot make it to RPCC, try dining without a tray at any other location. After the event, leave a comment on the blog or Facebook group to give us your feedback about your "trayless" experience at RPCC. Your voice matters!

Stay green,

Jaimee

p.s. Please remember to compost and recycle!