The Daily Campus

Issue date: 10/6/08 Section: Commentary

A hot cup of tea can soothe even the sorest of throats, but as many students seek their comfort on the go, they are finding their dining halls devoid of take-away cups as part of the university's effort to go green. Rather than complain about the lack of paper cups, students should buy reusable mugs and curb their whining while saving the earth.

UConn's Eco-Husky program is the main force on campus that is driving environmentally sound plans. But now the UConn Co-op is involved as well. Students don't have to buy an Eco-Husky mug to be eco-friendly. Many mugs at the Co-op are reusable as well and are just as environmentally friendly as the Eco-Husky mugs. Students can also stop being burdened with the awkwardly shaped Eco-Husky mugs. Those mugs are nowhere to be found on campus at the moment because they are being redesigned due to student complaints. Dining Services Director Dennis Pierce has called for redesign of the mugs, which will finally make it possible for the mugs to fit in backpacks and universal cup holders.

In addition to the environmental benefits, there is a selfish advantage to purchasing a mug from the Co-op or from Eco-Husky. If students use reusable mugs at any of the UConn cafés, they will receive a discount on their beverage. Coffee would usually cost $1.55, but it only costs $1.15 if you use a reusable mug. Tea is free if you bring your own teabag, and if not, a Tazo teabag only costs $0.50 - a far cry from a $3 Tazo tea that can be purchased at Starbucks. That is about 16 ounces of fluid for a good price and a less detrimental impact on the earth.

"We have seen an increase in the use of refillable mugs," said Jeff Collins, manager of the UConn cafés. "It is definitely something we encourage. It is a win-win situation for both the environment and for us because of the cost of paper. It is not only a university initiative but also a department initiative."

The benefits to reusable mugs are endless. There is no excuse to not buy one. If you are tight on cash, skip the Co-op mugs and buy an Eco-Husky mug using points. The program is designed to help students help the environment. The staff of the program are open to more suggestions from students and have already taken them seriously. Now it is time for students to take the initiative and buy refillable mugs.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools