Let's Think About Food Waste For A Minute
Did you see the SHDS Sustainability Team collecting food waste in the DCs last week?
The team were conducting our Fall Quarter Waste Studies, measuring how much food gets left behind on the plates. We sorted it into multiple categories: edible food, inedible food (banana peels, chicken bones, etc.), liquids and napkins for two hours in each DC, and this us what we found.
From the waste study results, we found the average amount of liquid waste is 1.24fl oz per person. If you were to leave behind 1.24fl oz for every meal over a year, that would equate to 170 cups of your favorite beverage that someone else could have enjoyed.
The average amount of edible food waste per person from the waste study is 2.34oz per person. If you left 2.34oz of food on your plate per meal for a year, that equates to 160lbs of food that was grown, produced, transported, and prepared - just to be uneaten.
You can do your bit to reduce food waste with these easy steps:
- Try to take a reasonable amount of food during each meal – it is always a good idea to grab small portions at the beginning. If you’re still hungry you can always go back for more.
- Try A Taste – many menu items can be sampled before you take a full serving, so if it’s not to your taste, it doesn’t go to waste!
- Just Ask – ask your server to adapt your dish to meet your needs. Smaller portion? Skip the bread? Not keen on pickles? Just ask!
Upcoming event: DIY Body Scrub and Toothpaste Event
Come make your own zero waste toothpaste and coffee body scrub. All supplies provided, first come first serve. For residents living in Cuarto, Segundo & Tercero.
When? November 15th from 6:30pm to 8:30pm
Where? Olive Main, Tercero
Join us at the Resident Gardens!
(Image description: two hands covering a small plant with soil after transplant
Volunteer Hours are open to all Student Housing Residents living in Segundo, Tercero & Cuarto. Drop-in for as much or as little time as you like to learn new skills - or put existing skills to use – and meet new people.
No experience necessary! All instructions and tools are provided.
Join the Resident Garden Discord to stay up on the latest happenings in the resident gardens.
Resident Garden at Segundo – located between Bixby Hall and the Segundo Dining Commons
- Tuesday: 9am-11am
- Thursday: 2pm-4pm
- Saturday: 10am-12pm
Resident Garden at Tercero – located near the main entrance to Latitude.
- Monday 9am – 12pm
- Wednesday 2:10pm-4:10pm
- Friday: 1:30pm-3:30pm
Adopt-A-Plot
Residents can also adopt a plot in the Segundo or Tercero garden for one quarter or longer to steward their own garden space. Adopt-a-plotters will have access to garden materials and mentorship.
If you are interested in adopting a plot, please fill out the Adopt-A-Plot application or visit us during open volunteer hours and speak to one of our Resident Garden Coordinators.
Visit housing.ucdavis.edu/sustainability/resident-garden for more information about the resident gardens.
Stay connected!
Sign up for the weekly Student Housing and Dining Services Sustainability Newsletter at housing.ucdavis.edu/sustainability/newsletter