Teams
Dining
We are a bridge between Cornell Dining and the student body, and are working to improve sustainability at cafes and dining halls. We focus on minimizing single-use plastic and expanding use of reusable foodware. One core project addresses the issue of single use dishware across campus. In 2022, when Morrison dining was using completely single-use dishware, we worked closely with Morrison to help them transition back to reusable dishwares. We continued the project by designing utensil bins so that they could add reusable utensils. Another core project focused on revamping the reusable mug program that gives discounts to customers bringing their own mug to cafes. Currently, we are working on evaluating the success of and adding further improvements to the punch card system.
Upcycle/Thrift
We promote and educate sustainable, creative, and cost-efficient fashion practices! We host events and clothing drives to actively involve people in these practices and distribute collected clothing to those in need. On our new instagram, @cornell_rsls_thrift_finds, we post our best thrift finds to show others that you can find high quality, fashionable, and inexpensive clothing in your local consignment stores. This subteam is relatively new so we are still developing ideas and are open to suggestions!
Educational Outreach
The Educational Outreach sub-team is dedicated to raising awareness about sustainability issues within the Cornell student body. We engage the community through educational posters, interactive tabling at EcoFest, sustainability-themed giveaways, and our annual pumpkin composting event. Additionally, we extend our impact beyond campus by teaching 7th-12th graders about sustainability at SPLASH @ Cornell. One of our key focus areas is addressing the overuse of water on Cornell’s campus. Through creative initiatives like fact sheets and community engagement through social media, we strive to encourage more sustainable water consumption and foster a culture of conservation among students.
