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THURSDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2012
THE UNIVERSITY DAILY KANSAN
ENVIRONMENT
ASHLEIGH LEE/KANSAN
Compost bins behind Mrs. E's dining hall on Daisy Hill have been helping to reduce waste. Leftover food such as bones and fruit rinds are put into the compost to help reduce waste in the landfills.
Dining halls to reduce food waste campus-wide
JENNA JAKOWATZ
jjakowatz@kansan.com
KU Dining is working its way toward a greener future. Through a combination of composting, donations and partnerships with local farmers and community shelters, the University is attempting to reduce its food waste.
Sheryl Kidwell, assistant director of Residential Dining, said the University reduces food waste using a food forecasting and menu management system.
"We have a 24-hour rule so [the food] needs to be either used, repurposed, or properly stored or discarded within 24 hours," said Kidwell "All of our facilities are on this food management system."
Residential dining sites also use a five-week cycle menu. Each cycle's worth of food is forecasted us
The University also reuses any food items it can, like storing food that can be frozen or keeping food out continuously during the day so that it can be consumed rather than thrown out.
The University started composting last September at Mrs. E's. This year, North College Cafe at GSP and the Studio at Hashinger Hall are composting as well.
"Historical data helps us every time we forecast to the next time that week or day's menu comes up," Kidwell said. "All of that helps us keep the waste low."
ing historical data and calculations. Once the dining period is over, if the actual amount of food is above or below the predicted level, those numbers are put into the system and adjusted for next time.
"Oliver Hall is doing a pilot program with post-consumer waste that can be used as farm feed for animals," Kidwell said.
Leftover food and production waste, like cantaloupe rinds, bones and outer cabbage leaves, are composted along with any postconsumer waste (food that goes back to the dish room) and certain food packaging materials like chipboard.
Another partnership benefits humans rather than animals. For the last four years, student group Daily Bread has worked with the University to donate food to local shelters.
The Salvation Army and other community shelters in Lawrence see a large amount of their donations come right before the University goes on winter break.
"Things that we provide them are typically things that won't keep for that time period, like bags of lettuce, tomatoes, cereal that's been in the dispensers but hasn't been put out," Kidwell said.
In an effort to further reduce waste, other residence halls have partnered with local farmers.
"We have calculated 10 to 12 tons a month have been averted from the landfill due to our composting." Kidwell said. However, Residential Dining was unable to provide an exact number of how much food waste still ends up in
Daily Bread is working to increase donations by including more dining facilities, said Daily Bread coordinator Drew Harger, a sophomore from McPherson.
the trash cans.
"KU always takes pride in that we partner really well with our students, be it student housing initiatives, environs, or sustainability," Kidwell said.
— Edited by Laken Rapier
Students sweat in ugly sweaters
LAWRENCE
CONTRIBUTED PHOTO
HANNAH BARLING
hbarling@kansan.com
Students, dig out your ugliest holiday sweaters. The Ugly Sweater Run is coming to Lawrence for the first time this Saturday at 2 p.m.
Beginning in Louisville, Colo,
last year with about 1,000 participants,
the Ugly Sweater Run has decided to go national this year,
and is now visiting eight cities.
The Ugly Sweater Run will be in Lawrence for the first time on Saturday after going national after the first year in Louisville, Colo. Participants wear ugly holiday sweaters while competing in the 5k.
Participants are asked to wear their ugliest sweaters and are given free reindeer antlers and fake mus-taches to add to the silly holiday festivities. The 5k starts at Watson Park on Seventh and Tennessee streets, and it is definitely not your average race.
Sarah Meyer, a senior from New London, Iowa, said that having a beer before running and sledding — plus the hot chocolate along the way — will make this race special. She has not picked out her ugly sweater yet but plans on finding matching long socks to complete the look.
"A lot of times people shy away from races because they aren't intense runners. This kind of event makes it more about the memories than the race." Meyer said.
Kicking off the event with a beer, or hot chocolate for those underage, creates a unique start to the 3.2 mile race. Runners who are 21 and older will receive two free beers, sponsored by Sam Adams. Various holiday-themed stands throughout the race give runners a chance to take a break and join in on the festivities. From sledding on fake snow to running on Christmas tree lined-streets, runners are given the opportunity to make the race
Josh Robinson, a senior from Lansing, has joined an Ugly Sweater team with
a more leisurely,
fun-filled afternoon.
Having run various races in the past, Robinson said he is looking forward to the laid-back atmosphere.
"I've never had beer and running mixed together before," Robinson said. "This should be fun."
Leah Smith, race director
"I've never had beer and running mixed together before."
"It's something fun to look forward to before having to focus on final exams," Strom said.
Once participants have completed the race, competitions such as the best ugly sweater award and the best mustache will take place.
Individual registration fees are $35 in advance and $40 the day of the race. Participants need to arrive one to two hours early to pick up the information packets and special holiday gifts.
friends to make
Sarah Strom, a senior from Olathe, heard about the race via livingsocial.com and decided to participate because she found a half-price registration coupon. She said she's looking forward to all of the various holiday activities throughout the race.
JOSH ROBINSON Senior from Lansing
2,500 participants this Saturday.
for a more social event. His ugly sweater is black with nutcrackers on it, and he has glued on LED lights for special effect.
Edited by Lauren Shelly
said the race in Louisville had such a good turnout last year that they decided to make it a national event. She said they are expecting about
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