Goodbye to plastic straws

According to the magazine “Science” eight million tons of plastic end up in the ocean every year. Therefore, the European Commission has recently suggested the prohibition of several kinds of plastic disposals.

Unfortunately, in a dining facility you cannot fully prevent the use of disposals. However, Studierendenwerk, as eco-friendly company, takes responsibility and stops providing plastic straws in all dining halls. Alternatively, you can get an eco-friendly cardboard straw on request. In addition, only wooden swizzle sticks are going to be provided in the cafeterias and coffee bars.

This year, many disposables were already replaced by sustainable alternatives. The burger wrapping paper, for example, is made of unbleached greaseproof paper. There are new napkins and paper plates that are made of a hundred percent recycled paper that is also unbleached. The transparent cups at the soft drink dispensers are made of biodegradable corn starch.

The switch to more eco-friendly materials is going to be continued. In the near future our to-go cup is going to get an upgrade: Studierendenwerk again focuses on biodegradable material that is not petroleum-based and thus does not produce harmful fumes in waste incineration. Environmentally conscious customers can be active themselves: By drinking from the reusable MensaCup in the dining halls, cafeterias and coffee bars paper waste is reduced.

The paper straws will be available as of next week.

Studierendenwerk also acts with environmental awareness in other areas and departments. Read more.