Florida College Student Invents Reusable Alternative to Styrofoam Take-Out Containers

Proving that simple solutions are often better than complicated high-tech ones, Eckerd College student Audrey Copeland has invented an alternative to Styrofoam take-out containers that you don’t even have to wash yourself. The EcoClamshell, made from a durable dishwasher-safe material, is available to students for a one-time fee of $5 and is designed to be brought back once you’re done with it. At least 200 students are currently using it.

From Bay News 9:

“Usually people bring them to their rooms,” Richards said. “Then afterwards they dump whatever the didn’t want and you can bring them back dirty, throw them in a bin. Then they rinse them out. It works great for me.”

Eckerd College has reduced the use of styrofoam by 25 percent a week.

“The same container circulates multiple times,” Copeland said. “Kinda like a plate.”

The student hopes to market the containers to cafeterias and restaurants with a regular customer base.

What a great way to encourage students to ditch the disposables. When you’re living on campus and depend on the dining hall for every meal - and trying to fit in lunch between a tight schedule of classes - you inevitably end up using lots of take-out containers, most of which aren’t biodegradable or reusable. The EcoClamshell offers a great way for college students to avoid introducing so many harmful materials into landfills - let’s hope it catches on nationwide!

Link [Bay News 9]