Plastic Bags Back in Style? Bon Appétit Thinks So
written by guest author, Ronald “RJ” Rossi.
The University of the Pacific is "committed to promoting sustainable actions and operations." But students have been the ones fighting to fulfill that commitment. What tangible progress has the University of the Pacific made? Is the University of the Pacific’s administration an obstacle to progress?
On November 4, 2022, the student government, the Environmental Conservation Club, and Sustaining Pacific hosted the Divestment Forum. The event aimed to show how little the school has done to divest away from fossil fuels. Students came together to spell things out for the administration. They explained that the world is moving away from fossil fuels; that investing in them is not a sound long-term investment; that it’s terrible for the environment.
On November 5, 2022, The Grove, the only on-campus store, removed their plastic bags. The move came one day after the Divestment Forum. The University of the Pacific employed a smokescreen. They would 'show' students that they cared about the environment. But the university would not commit to divestment. And one sign was plastered on the front of the store:
“As of TODAY, 11/5/22
ASUOP has requested that The Grove no longer provides plastic bags for purchases
Reusable bags are available for purchase
Thank you, Bon Appétit”
If it wasn’t clear already, Bon Appétit did not want to take the blame for removing plastic bags. Instead, they opted to blame it on the student government. Our student government tells a different story.
According to ASuop President Guiying 'Angel' Zhong, the change was sudden. There seemed to have been a miscommunication between ASuop and Bon Appétit. Zhong said that ASuop wanted a plan that transitioned students into paper bag usage. Instead, Bon Appétit blindsided them by completely removing plastic bags—with no alternative.
"We apologize to you and all other impacted Pacificans," Zhong said.
This inconvenience has caused frustration for some students. But others think it is a step in the right direction for the university.
Daniela Ceballos, a Board Member of the Environmental Conservation Club, disagreed with Bon Appétit's actions. "There could have been a smoother transition," said Ceballos. "If there had been a week or two where people could have the option of a reusable or plastic bag for an extra charge, I think people would have been more open to the idea of bringing their own reusable bag."
Although Bon Appétit's decision was impulsive, Ceballos said the change would help create a more eco-friendly campus.
This is not the end of Bon Appétit’s resistance to sustainability. On February 2, 2023, Brookelynn Sigle went to the university center for a sandwich. “I was very disappointed when I went to get my lunch and noticed that the paper bags were replaced with plastic ones,” said Sigle.
“We as students should not have to be worrying about things like this. We should be able to go to class and be involved on campus in more carefree ways instead of always fighting for UOP to be sustainable.”
The reappearance of plastic bags is a step in the wrong direction for the university. Bon Appétit is not taking the initiative to make the university a more sustainable campus. The student body had to host an event just to get them to stop selling plastic bags at The Grove. Bon Appétit brags about breaking away from plastic straws; They know that plastics harm the environment. But for the sake of profits, they did not solve the problem. They simply moved it.
To the University of the Pacific and Bon Appétit: Do better, or find out that our campus will fight you until you do.
cover photo from ISTOCKPHOTO