By Alysha Pluta, Contributing Writer

La Roche University and Sage Dining presented a new student initiative for recycling and sustainability.

When residents arrived on campus in this semester, they a green contained greeted them with a note explaining La Roche University and Sage Dining’s new Go Green LRU initiative.

The note said, “Sage Dining Services and LRU is initiating a Sustainability plan to offer an innovative Reusable To-Go program that makes LRU a more sustainable place.” It followed with information explaining how the program works.

Students can exchange carabiners for food in a green reusable to-go box at any station of the dining hall. They can return emptied to-go boxes to the cashier’s desk outside the dining hall, and in exchange the cashier will give back a green carabiner that to use for another to-go box.

Everyone else can purchase the Carabiner residents received at LRU for 15 dollars. Each person can only have one to go box.

The University is using this process to reduce to-go container waste. Junior graphic design student Anthony Provident said, “I like the new to-go boxes. I take less garbage back to my room, so I don’t have to take my garbage out as much.”

According to the United States Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), Americans produce about 4.9 pounds of trash per person per day. Students can make simple changes in their everyday lives to reduce the amount of waste they create.

Rather than continuously buying paper plates, plastic silverware and water bottles, make a one-time purchase of inexpensive, reusable alternatives.

When saving food, use reusable containers and food storage bags. Seal it with a reusable beeswax wrap, rather than plastic wrap. Not only will these alternatives reduce waste and make the environment a little better, but they also save money.

Before purchasing anything, consider how much use you’ll get out of it. If it is something you will use once and throw away, decide if you really need it. If you do, consider buying it secondhand or donating it after.