This semester, Project Clean Plate occurred the week of October 1st. In total, the program reduced waste by 255lbs for the week. It will take place again during the Spring Semester.
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Project Clean Plate
Are your eyes bigger than your stomach?
Let’s be honest, everybody can get a little carried away when it comes to all-you-care-to-eat dining. That’s why UMass Dartmouth Dining Services runs Project Clean Plate each semester. Project Clean plate is an initiative to create awareness of food waste among students.
How it works
After filling their stomachs, students put leftovers on a conveyer belt. An employee then separates the edible leftovers from the nonedible leftovers, such as napkins and bones. Edible waste is then pulverized. The result is an unappetizing concoction, but a nutritious compost blend for local farmers to use on their crops.
This semester, Project Clean Plate occurred the week of October 1st. In total, the program reduced waste by 255lbs for the week. It will take place again during the Spring Semester.
Partnership
Project Clean Plate is just one example of partnership between UMass Dartmouth Dining Services and local farmers. Throughout the semester, food waste from the Marketplace and campus retail locations is turned into compost used to nourish local crops. UMass Dartmouth has numerous local partners that take the waste, and in return, provide fresh produce for the University.