By The Keystone Newspaper Students aren’t sure how to feel about the change
By Melissa Stockmal
Starting in September 2024, KU’s Cub Cafe has implemented new takeout boxes with the Planet Ozzi Reusable To-Go Program with the goal of minimizing waste across campus.
Students will pay a one-time $5 fee using Flex Dollars, Bear Bucks, cash, or card for a box. When finished eating, they must empty it of any remaining food and take it to the drop box in the MSU to exchange for a token for their next trip to Cub Cafe. These boxes will be available for use from 11 a.m. to 6 p.m. Monday through Friday.
Photo Credit: Melissa Stockmal
Boxes may be dropped off at any point while the MSU is open. The MSU hours are Monday through Thursday from 7 a.m. to 12 a.m., Friday from 7 a.m. to 10 p.m., Saturday from 9 a.m. to 10 p.m., and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 12 a.m.
Students from across campus have mixed feelings about the new program.
“The reusable boxes make it more accessible to allow actually reusing stuff,” student Gianna Beltran said. “You don’t use the cardboard ones as much as you used to.”
Like Beltran, Luise John supports the initiative. “I’m very environmentally friendly, so I think it’s a very mindful idea. I think it’s a great idea for KU,” John said.
“I think it’s cool. And it’s eco-friendly,” Sienna Zick said, expressing her appreciation for the addition.
Other students are against the idea, like Caiden Oister, who said, “I believe there is no valid reason to have these. They said it’s because of the waste, but it’s not like people are leaving their boxes everywhere.”
“They’re throwing them away and leaving campus clean. Why fix something that doesn’t need to be fixed?” Oister added.
This seems to be the general consensus among the students surveyed who are against the idea.
Another student, Lilly Moses, believes that the $5 payment is too much. “I’m personally not going to do it,” Moses said. “I’m not going to spend $5. If I have to give it back, and I can’t use it at South, I really don’t see the point.”
Another student, Cameron Peterson, shares this feeling and thinks that the inclusion is unnecessary. “I understand that maybe they are trying to save money,” Peterson said. “But implementing a new system, not making it well known, and making students pay to get a takeout box on top of our meal plan is outrageous.”
“It’s a really cool idea, but I definitely think that it has a few kinks to work out,” student Ivy Agnew said.
For more information, check out Ozzi’s FAQ’s or the Cub Cafe home page.