Trinity’s new reusable crockery and cutlery scheme, Envriolend, has been launched today by TCD Plastic Solutions. The pilot scheme is managed by TCD plastic solutions, the same group that initiated a petition for a plastic-free Trinity Ball.
This scheme is to introduce a lending system for societies to allow them to borrow tableware to minimise waste at catered events in conjunction with Trinity’s sustainability goal to reduce plastic consumption.
Envirolend is being funded through the sustainability fund that was set up by the provost’s advisory committee. It is rolling out on a provisional testing basis to assess if it can mark a sustainable change.
This scheme is in line with Trinity’s waste reduction initiative, one of the primary objectives being to reduce waste by 10%. These objectives were announced in January of this year.
Speaking to Trinity News, TCD Plastic Solutions Communications Coordinator Molly Fergus explained: “Our reusable tableware scheme available to societies for events provides the opportunity for the wider campus population to cut down on single-use. We know that the enthusiasm for making the Trinity campus a more sustainable place is there, and see it as key that there are services in place to make the greener choice an easier one.”
“There is obviously a lot more to be done but we feel like initiatives like these are important to facilitate small steps towards greener practices and to demonstrate the demand for low waste practices on campus,” Fergus continued.
“We hope that with the roll-out of ENVIROLEND, societies across Trinity will be supported and encouraged to go for the sustainable solution. The service launches today, and all societies are welcome to get in touch to avail of reusable tableware for their next event.”
TCD Plastic Solutions currently have 30 of all types of utensils that would be necessary for catering events. The storage is being handled by UPS at the Parcel Motel. Plastic Solutions will be the group handling requests and scheduling with societies.
Ireland is the top producer of plastic waste in the European Union (calculated by capita), according to the latest Eurostat figures. The country produces 61 kilograms per person, per year, in plastic waste.
