Download the UBC Zero Waste Food Ware Strategy
Overview
The campus has demanded change regarding single-use foodware items. With sustainability an important part of our culture, starting in 2020 UBC is ready to lead the region in reducing single use plastics through its unique Zero Waste Food Ware Strategy.
The strategy, developed in consultation with on-campus single use food ware providers, was adopted in June 2019 and comes into effect end of January 2020.
Key Elements of the Strategy
The strategy is a step toward a zero waste future for food and beverage on campus, with three main elements:
- Fees for single use items (initially, coffee cups), to encourage the transition to reusable food ware for enjoying food and drink.
- Smarter, more sustainable materials for single use items, including discontinuing certain items such as foam cups, plastic straws and plastic bags.
- Improved in-store recycling bins and signage for customers and staff.
What Customers Need to Know
As a customer, you will see changes in how food and beverage is packaged and sold by January 2020. Bring your own cup to save money on coffee and hot beverages, or take advantage of UBC mugshare!
Accessibility
UBC recognizes that some community members need specific items such as plastic straws for accessibility purposes when enjoying food and beverages. As we transition to more sustainable materials and reduce single use items over time, we will incorporate our commitment to accessibility through identifying and addressing accessibility issues and concerns.
The Sustainability and Engineering unit in Campus and Community Planning, who is leading the Food Ware Strategy, is working with the UBC Centre for Accessibility to incorporate accessibility considerations into the Strategy implementation, which will come into full implementation January 2020.
What Businesses Need to Know
With the release of the strategy in July 2019, this means that businesses will be required to align with these standards by the end of January 2020, which provides for a six-month transition period.
While the strategy provides the overall direction and targets for reducing and recycling single use items, the following two documents provide specific requirements for food and beverage businesses on campus:
- The Food Service Ware Procurement Guideline provides the specific requirements for fees and single use items.
- The Recycling Guidelines for UBC Businesses addresses requirements for recycling bins, signage and staff training.
Support Options for Businesses
As part of strategy implementation, UBC staff are available to help support businesses. This support includes:
- Being available to meet with food business representatives
- Answering questions on the strategy and guidelines, including on specific products
- Offering a “zero waste assessment” to review current food ware products and recycling setups, and make recommendations
- Provide UBC artwork such as signage and posters
UBC will also be implementing a public communications campaign to support the Zero Waste Food Ware Strategy in late 2019/early 2020.
Strategy Development and Approval
In 2018 we began collaborating with Metro Vancouver and the City of Vancouver, and consulted with food business stakeholders on campus, on the development of our Zero Waste Food Ware Strategy to reduce and recycle single use food service ware and packaging, such as coffee cups and take-out food containers.
Following consultations in June 2018, a follow-up survey was also distributed. Through this process we captured lots of input and ideas which helped us craft the strategy. We also distributed the draft strategy to campus food business stakeholders for comment.
Download the 2018 Single-Use Items Consultation Report
In June 2019, the UBC Zero Waste Food Ware Strategy was approved as an addendum to the Zero Waste Action Plan, which is a Board Approved Plan under UBC’s Policy 92, Land Use, Permitting and Sustainability.
Contacts
Strategy development and policy:
Bud Fraser, Senior Planning and Sustainability Engineer
Tel: (604) 822-1501
Email: bud.fraser@ubc.ca
Support for businesses regarding single use items and recycling:
Zero Waste Coordinator
Email: zerowaste.coordinator@ubc.ca