The “freshman 15″ is something that all new college students want to avoid. So how can students protect their weight and the planet at the same time? Take away cafeteria trays.

According to the Sustainable Endowments Institute, a research organization that tracks the sustainable practices of 300 colleges and universities with the largest endowments, 126 of these schools currently have either cut out trays completely from their dining halls, or they have dedicated certain days as “trayless days.” This is all in an effort to reduce waste, conserve water and to save money at the schools.

So, is it working?

Here are a few schools that are reducing waste by eliminating trays:

• Williams College - College has saved 14,000 gallons of water a year by taking away the trays.
• Rochester Institute of Technology - School is dramatically reducing waste and has saved 10% on food spending.
• Cornell University - Faculty did not like the idea of going trayless in the beginning, but since the school has transformed its cafeterias to include slate-fireplaces and do-it-yourself food stations, everyone likes the waste reduction and energy conservation efforts.

So far the only downfall these schools have seen from using no trays has the increase in traffic. Since people have to get up multiple times to get food, dining hall time increases.

Oh, and the trays can’t be used for sledding in the winter.

But if this green initiative is adopted in all schools around the U.S., then faculty and students will eventually learn how to handle the transition and develop a better understanding of how to control their college trash.

Do you think that going trayless is a good green idea, or does it just make you frustrated because you can’t fit everything on your plate?

Source: The New York Times