Transitioning from Styrofoam to Natural Fiber To-Go Containers
The Oxford Community Market (OXCM) is a nonprofit organization focused on food access. They facilitate a weekly Mississippi Certified Farmers Market along with hosting several programs to help make healthy, local food accessible to all people in the community, especially those facing barriers of cost and transportation. Last fall, OXCM established a Food Rescue Project aimed at recovering high-quality leftovers from Greek Housing to provide to community members in need. OXCM partnered with UM students and Greek organizations to provide over 2000 meals over the course of two semesters!
Throughout the first year of the program, they had to scramble together donated to-go boxes, a majority of which were Styrofoam containers, to meet the demands of the program in a quick and cost-effective way. Betsy Chapman, the market director for OXCM for over five seasons, recognized this issue and took on what is an ominous task for any nonprofit: obtaining environmentally friendly packaging when budget constraints are a constant concern. And so, Betsy established a partnership with the Office of Sustainability to overcome this hurdle.
Through this partnership, our office was able to provide the to-go boxes and bowls needed for the Food Rescue Project this season. The to-go containers we provided are all made of natural fiber and BPI certified compostable. In total these containers will save 3,053.6 lbs. (or miles) of carbon dioxide emissions and 5,651.7 days of bulb energy when compared to their Styrofoam counter parts, and they’re compostable! The to-go containers and this data were obtained from the Green Paper Products Company.
The Office of Sustainability deeply values our community partnerships; we are all stronger together. We encourage anyone interested to find ways to get involved with the Oxford Community Garden. Visit their website to learn more or go and say hi at the next OXCM Farmers Market, held. every Tuesday 3:00-6:30 pm @ Ole Armory Pavilion, 1801 University Avenue Oxford, Mississippi.
-Story Written By OOS Project Manager Kathryn Kidd