Biodegradeables

// projects / Biodegradeables

This project started off as a PWR-1 Community Writing Project, initiated by Dayoung Lee (09) and Dawn Kwan (09). They collaborated with World Centric, a non profit organization that works to reduce economic injustice and environmental degradation through education, community networks & sustainable enterprises. Dayoung and Dawn compiled a cost-benefit analysis report for two Stanford cafes- Moonbeans and Ciao Cafe, for switching to biodegradables serviceware made from corn starch, potato starch or sugar cane fiber waste. Our findings were that the cost increase to adopt biodegradables is small (15 cents extra per meal) and that the Stanford community wanted to see the change.

They brought this project to Students for a Sustainable Stanford in the fall of 2006 and have since econvinced Ciao Cafe to adopt a pilot program in December. However, customers must choose to pay 15 cents extra to get their biodegradable gear, so the response has not been as effective as Arbuckle Cafe in the Graduate School of Business, which has recently changed almost all of their serviceware to compostable ones.

With an enthusiastic group, we have been able to expand and reach out to other cafes and restaurants on campus. If you are considering purchasing biodegradables from World Centric for your department, organization or event feel free to consult the cost spreadsheet. contact Dayoung Lee or Dawn Kwan. Alternatively, you could visit World Centric's website and directly talk to Aseem Das.

For more information on why biodegradeables are important, check out this Power Point.