one of the issues my group and i started looking at was the use of plastic cups for the water fountain near the ER.
We have noticed that most people use it once or twice and then toss them.
After corresponding with Megan, who is in charge of ordering the water and cups, about the use of the cups i am proposing that we get rid of the cups for itp water bottles.
They can bring out cups for special events and so forth, but on a daily basis, there will no longer be cups available.
Here are the stats from Megan:
- we use 32 - 34,000 cups a year on the floor
- we order 2000 cups, every 3 weeks and about 16 or 17 orders a year
- 2000 cups cost $60, which equals just over $1000/year
- part of that money can be used to order one itp water bottle per student and faculty/staff to use while on the floor
- polycarbonate bottles, like these or these for example, printed with the itp sustainable logo costs $2.40 - $2.60 each not including shipping
- the first order of about 250 bottle = $600 and then +/- 120 each year following for incoming class
- that saves itp around $400 for the first year and then around $600 for each following.
- they might still need a few cups for special events and out side guests
- and if you loose one you can buy a new one for $5 - not bad
- this is not a big project
- just setting something in motion.
- what does everyone think?
R.Z.
