Oneota dishes out new recycling program

Patrons of Oneota Market will be offered a new option for take-out containers starting this month. In response to campus-wide efforts to reduce waste, the popular dining establishment launched a new program called ReUse-A-Bowl.

Debbie Aske, assistant manager of Oneota Market and Sunnyside Café, and David Lester, cash operations manager, initiated the new program.

Lester, who is also a member of the sustainability task group on campus, said he and Aske began planning the program last year.

“We started brainstorming different ways to reduce our waste and be better environmental stewards,” said Lester.

Customers who choose to participate in ReUse-A-Bowl will purchase a bowl for a one time fee of $2, which goes toward covering the cost of the bowl. Patrons can then fill their bowl with items from the salad bar, taco bar, soup station or daily special and take it to go, receiving ten percent off their purchase. When customers come back, they simply exchange the bowl for a new, clean one.

“You don’t even have to wash your own bowl,” said Aske. “We wash it and make it available for someone else to use.”

Right now the ReUse-a-bowls are a single compartment, but Aske said that new compartmentalized bowls are on the way.

In addition to being leak-proof, the bowls are freezer, microwave and dishwasher safe.

Sustainability Coordinator Caleb Mattison also expressed support for the new program.

“I think this program is great because it’s another way for individuals to make sustainable life choices and contribute to Luther’s sustainability movement,” said Mattison. “Any way that we can reduce the amount of stuff we throw away is positive.”

Because a higher percentage of faculty frequent Oneota Market in comparison with Marty’s or the cafeteria, Lester said the new plan aims to include more faculty and staff, citing the convenience of taking a bowl back to the office for lunch.

Aske said that her student workers have been excited about the new program, and other students on campus seem to be approving of the ReUse-A-Bowl.

Student worker Jyme Meeks (‘09) was working Oct. 2, the second day of sales, and said she sold two bowls in the hour and a half she was working.

“I think once the word gets out it will pick up,” said Meeks. “I think the whole Luther campus is on board with the whole going green thing.”

Will Layton (‘11), a member of Luther’s Environmental Concerns Organization, agreed that students would accept the challenge.

“Anytime you can give students an incentive to reduce waste I think they’ll do it,” said Layton. “I think it’s great that Oneota is making it so convenient.”

With environmental and economic benefits, both Aske and Lester hope people will take advantage of the convenience and practicality of the new reusable bowls.

“We’re hoping to get a lot of people on board with it,” said Aske. “It’s a good plan if people are willing to give it a chance.”