One Step Forward, Two Steps Back

Danielle Aiken

Editor in Chief

As a university, we have consistently acknowledged the significant role we play in contributing to disposable waste. However, it seems as of late that we have traded one method of creating waste in lieu of another. Disposable container options have been introduced to combat the campus-wide issue, but is directly challenged by excessive use of printer paper- that is, when the high traffic printers decide they want to operate.

Here is what we know: Reusable containers at Chucks were made available to students at the beginning of this semester. Students were informed that the Grubhub app and ordering kiosks were now equipped to opt for a reusable container option in lieu of a disposable one.

The university’s efforts were introduced to students on Jan. 13, via Assumption Hospitality’s instagram, stating “Ditch The Trash, Choose Reuse Pass”. The post was accompanied by explicit directions on how to choose the Reuse pass option at Chucks. Keep this in mind.

However, Assumption’s efforts may fall flat as the new printer system challenges the goal of limiting disposable waste; while creating an issue of accessibility in the process.

The process began with an email on Jan. 21 outlining the new arrival of printers in various locations. We were overjoyed. Students quickly took to social media to express their satisfaction with their hard efforts advocating for dorm-building printers.

Therefore, you can imagine our frustration when our printer-bliss did not last long. Students were quickly met with a series of problems within the first two weeks of conventional use. Dorm printers specifically are not being maintained in the proper manner; nor are there any educational instructions to help students navigate this problem. We are left with “simply find another printer that is working.”

To be more specific, dorm and smaller printers in academic buildings such as TFAC , are not as easily labeled as the library printers. For example, students cannot easily print double-sided on these specific printers, resulting in them having to go to the library. Additionally, when the printers are working, the double-sided option has to be sought out further; which not a lot of students know.

At the very least, I would hope students would be provided with instructions of how to do so in efforts to at least try and save paper; just as Assumption Hospitality has done. Without clear instructions on how to print double-sided on smaller printers, we remove the possibility of saving any waste at all.

To my understanding, this situation defeats the entire purpose of having printers accessible to students within dorms- the initiative we advocated so hard for.

I hope whoever finds themself agreeing with me, or even disagreeing with me, at least understands how frustrating this may inevitably become if this continues.

I want to explicitly note: I am not complaining about the extra two minute walk to the library I would have to do because of this issue, or the fact that I would have to reload the printing job on my computer. I am calling attention to the fact that, for some students, it’s a longer and more difficult walk. We tend to forget that, allow me to remind you. Not everyone is able to reach the library at the time required, especially when it snows, or when the campus is covered in ice for that matter.

Trading in one problem for another does not make the issue suddenly disappear. What good is advocating for change if nothing truly changed? The idea and execution of the containers is all well and good, until challenged by paper and printer problems. So…now what?

This is a step- not forward, but a step.