How are our caterers working to reduce plastic and packaging?

By now, everyone knows that the huge amount of disposable plastic has a major impact on the environment. It is perhaps less well known that this quantity is being reduced step by step through laws and regulations. For instance, legislation around Single Use Plastics (SUP), or disposable plastic cups and plastic food packaging, has been in place since 2019. From 1 January 2024, the legislation goes one step further. The use of disposable plastic is now prohibited in all closed environments, such as schools, sports clubs, offices, company canteens and restaurants - and therefore also in WUR buildings.

Solutions within WUR

At WUR, we have not been caught off guard by the new measures. Indeed, they fit seamlessly with our vision for Food & Beverage (see box). Starting in 2022, we pre-sorted for what was to come. Together with our caterers and coffee machine supplier, of course. In the meantime, what have they already achieved in this area?

Growing herbs and cresses in the kitchen

OSP started in Impulse in 2021. The caterer says it is proud that the restaurant's offerings are completely disposable plastic-free. OSP’s catering manager Dax Moens says: ‘We’ve also been working with tableware in our espresso bar for some time. For takeaway, we offer the Billie Cup, the reusable coffee cup that can be handed in across campus. Furthermore, we grow our herbs and cresses in the kitchen, for example, so they are always freshly available and no longer need to be bought packaged.'

Cost-free, reusable bowls and trays

Compass has been the caterer of the restaurants in Forum, Orion, Aurora and Atlas, among others, since 2023. It also provides coffee cups according to the Billie Cup system. 'For restaurant guests, we use porcelain tableware,' says Patrick Cox 'For take-away, we’ve been providing reusable bowls and trays from Vytal since 8 January. These are available for anyone who doesn’t want to eat their salad or hot meal in the restaurant. We also buy many local products from our partner Oregional. These products are always delivered packaging-free.' In fact, the biggest gains can be made by using seasonal products sourced regionally. After all, less transport and no need for refrigeration translates into less packaging.

Challenges

But the service providers cannot afford to rest on their laurels. They have lots of plans for the short and long future but also face challenges along the way. This year, for instance, Hutten, caterer in Omnia since 2022, is moving ahead with the use of sustainable product-packaging combinations. 'Instead of 1-kilo bags, we are introducing crate bags for larger quantities of vegetables and fruit. A key consideration here, though, is that the adjustments we make don’t encourage food waste.'

OSP Vermaat is also aware that the Single Use Plastics legislation can sometimes be at odds with the prevention of food waste and thus poses a dilemma. 'To combat food waste, through InstockMarket, a sustainable catering wholesaler, we try to source products that would otherwise be thrown away. By doing this, we often come across products that are individually wrapped in plastic, for instance due to legislation. And this presents a challenge for us. At such times, do we opt for reducing waste or for reducing packaging waste?'

The three caterers exchange experiences with each other so that developments can be taken up WUR-wide. They also welcome ideas and suggestions from staff and students. You can pass these on via the Facilities Service Desk.

Reusable bulk packaging for coffee beans

The last word on future plans is for MAAS. They are busy with their tea and coffee packaging. 'Tea is packed in paper-only packaging without cellophane or plastic. As a result, the outer packaging (the envelope around the tea bag and box) can go into the paper waste. The teabag itself can be disposed of with organic waste - so the entire tea line is waste-free. Traditionally, coffee beans are supplied in a bag or wrapper containing aluminium and plastic. This is to guarantee the quality of the coffee for a longer period of time. However, this packaging has a negative impact on the environment. We see two alternatives to this packaging: recyclable and reusable packaging. For the Puro coffee we serve at WUR, we aim to start a pilot with reusable packaging in the second half of 2024.' This, incidentally, involves quite a few issues. 'For our operator who refills the coffee machines, it means a new way of working. The coffee beans come in a heavy bucket, which can no longer be lifted above the machine like a disposable bag. We have now developed a cart with a tap system to reduce the physical burden and time investment of our operators.'

What does the WUR vision say about packaging?

Throughout the Food & Beverage chain, WUR works with its partners to prevent avoidable packaging, composite packaging and use of plastics and disposables. The main focus here is on reusables or possibly glass. Entrepreneurs reduce the amount of avoidable packaging by actively looking for alternatives together with their suppliers. Where packaging or the use of plastics is unavoidable for reasons of hygiene or food safety, alternatives with the lowest environmental impact are chosen.

This is the second article in a series on catering at WUR. In these articles, we will show how each principle from the Food & Beverage vision is translated in practice into different food and beverage offerings on campus.