UHM Sustainability Council

March 6, 2013

Meeting Minutes

Attendees: JeanaCaeby (SOFT), Justin Delp (Planning), Sonja Dolons, Gary Foresman, Gabriel Saehfer-Smith (SOFT/UHMSC), Doorae Shin (Surfrider), Boram Shin, Cindy Napman (UH Sea Grant), Sumner Ohye (The Curb), Lisa Kehl (Community Partnership for Health/Community Promotion), Marc Nakamoto (Sodexho), Edward Ohlson (JABSOM Facilities), Susan Hippensteele (Chancellors Office), Sheri Mishler (Planning), Bill Unruh (IFA), Sharon Williams (Planning), Stephen Meder (Planning), Brent Kobs (Mortar Board), Korynn Elliott, Stephen Willis (EC), Aniolani Aga (UH Food Services), Alex Broner (SUH), Austin Barnes (ORE/KYA Studio), Daylen Koga (Planning)

  1. Introductions
  2. Everyone present introduced themselves and organization or individual representation.
  3. The Curb’s Proprietor, Reusable Containers, Sustainability Sink
  4. Sumner Ohye of The Curb exhibited two 12 oz cups, one that is eco-friendly with corn-based construction and biodegradable and the other not. Main barrier for businesses is cost, i.e. eco-friendly cup cost approximately 5 cents more.
  5. Eco-cup costs $123 while Solo Paper cup costs $79.50 for 1000ct (save 2.4% using generic paper cup v. compostable)
  6. Lid & Sleeve = $0.25, so when customers bring own cup, they get $0.25 off
  7. Sandwiches now use plastic wrap because clamshell was $0.33 each
  8. Paper bags instead of plastic (each bag costs the company $0.25)
  9. Suggestions were made to have wording in contracts to food vendors requiring use of eco-friendly products, buying in bulk, and installation of a washing sink. Difficulties would be: vendors in existing contracts, corporations requiring use of “logo” items, not enough space/manpower/funds to purchase eco-friendly products in stock. Planning Office to look into use of washing sink.
  10. Reusable dishes: Bookstore can sell sized reusable cups for students to purchase. Starbucks can be reference on success of “bring-your-own” discount incentive. $1 off CC/Vendor drinks for bringing reusable – train students’ habits
  11. Sink: Planning Office looking into the possibility of installing a sink in the sustainability courtyard. Who will be responsible for maintenance (building, vendor)?
  1. Update on Styrofoam Policy
  2. Susan Hippensteele from the Chancellors Office reported that the policy has been submitted to administration and response should be within the next week.
  3. Earth Month
  4. Stephen Willis from EC that posters with sustainability themes will be put around dorms and common areas. He is also currently researching corporate partnerships for prizes to raffle and volunteers. Reminder was made to ensure eco-friendly products were received. Raffle off high-quality bottles, other long-term use materials (magnets, etc.)
  5. Justin Delp from the Planning Office offered to send out announcements on the sustainability list serv.
  6. Suggestion was made to visit noimpactproject.org for ideas, which could also be tied into Kukui Cup.
  7. UH System Sustainability Summit
  8. Susan Hippensteele from the Chancellors Office reported First Annual Sustainability Summit will be held on April 11 and 12. Sharing of best practices, policies, and use. Will take place at West Oahu campus. Sustainability speakers from Harvard (?) and the University of California System were invited.
  9. All ideas are welcomed and encouraged for discussion.
  10. Scholarships applications are available on the conference website. Cost of attendance were noted to be high ($200) for attendance.
  11. SOFT Update
  12. Hoping to get a truck donated by college.
  13. Recently obtained grant from GSO to be used for sustainable lecture series. Dates of lectures to be: 4/14, 4/18, 4/25. Topics to be: Farmer to Restaurant, Sustainable Building Movement. Location to be BUSAD 102A, 1:30pm-3:00pm.
  14. Working to have a full-time staff member.
  15. Monthly classes with 1st grade teachers at Magoon Facility. Next class will be on 4/30 or 5/2.
  16. CTAHR may donate truck, but they still need full-time staff person
  17. Gabe: EPA Food Recover Challenge
  18. Epa.gov/foodrecoverychallenge
  19. Goals: Reduce Food waste, Feed hungry people, feed animals, etc.
  20. Let’s look into this & see if it is still happening & how to get involved
  21. Lactation Space Policy
  22. Sheri Mishler from Planning reported, UH is working on policy for nursing mothers. State and federal laws exist for employees, UH expanding to include students. First Lactation Space is in Hamilton Library.
  23. Announcements
  24. Event on sustainability today at Saunders 112 at 8pm.
  25. EPA Food Recovery Challenge- Funding to divert food waste to feed people, animals, composting..
  26. Lisa Kehl from University Health Services Health Promotion reported they have been working on making UH Manoatabacco free campus. Policy passed ASUH and UH Faculty Senate supported, currently waiting Chancellors approval. Comment was made that legality of policies may need to be addressed.
  27. Anyone interested in discussing any topic is welcomed on KTUH. Visit ktuh.org to schedule time to speak on KTUH.
  28. Doorae Shin shared idea on creating a UHM sustainability certification sticker/logo for branding.
  29. Tobacco:
  30. Revise campus tobacco @ systemwide level from 20-25 ft ban to a complete ban on campuses
  31. ASUH approved last Spring & so did Mānoa, but chancellor not receptive
  32. Kakaako campus already enforcing
  33. Bill 72 for Beach ban final hearing will be March 20 – please submit testimony