Some are tired of washing them, others can’t be bothered to lug them to the dining hall for every meal. At least one student thinks they’re just plain ugly.
For whatever reason, use of the free mugs, given out in October to reduce Styrofoam use in the dining halls has slid dramatically after peaking in late October .
Last week, students took advantage of the 99-cent refills, available to anyone who brings in one of the mugs, a total of 536 times, less than a third of the number of refills during the week ending Oct. 21, according to figures provided by Dining Services.
“The response has dropped off some as students get busier and busier,” said Dining Services spokesman Bart Hipple, who conceded the mugs may also be losing popularity because “students have to take it home and wash it.”
Many students say the mugs are too much of a burden to keep up using.
Junior criminology major Jen Hagan said she agrees with the program’s environmental goals, but still doesn’t use her mug.
“I don’t remember to bring it, and it’s kind of ugly,” Hagan said. “It’s green – it should be red for Maryland.”
Junior biology major Hannah de Groot used hers for the first couple of weeks, but stopped because of “the inconvenience of cleaning it.”
Oluwaseun Arije, a junior microbiology major, uses a mug to carry the coffee he buys – just not one of the Dining Service’s mugs.
“It’s bulky,” he said of the mug the school gave him. “Putting it in your backpack isn’t as easy.”
The free mug program, administered jointly by Resident Life and Dining Services, began in October, with most of the mugs given out on Oct. 15 for Community Week.
The mugs can be refilled for 99 cents anywhere that accepts meal points or Terp Bucks.
According the Dining Services numbers, 7,646 total refills were given out between Oct. 7 and Dec. 8.
By comparison, the department bought 351,000 20-ounce Styrofoam cups in the same period.
Still, Hipple said he feels the program has been a success.
“Do I wish more students were using recycled mugs? Yes I do.” But, he added, “it’s been successful because we’re trying to raise awareness,” about environmental issues.
And despite the drop-off, the mugs do seem to have a core of devotees who still use them consistently.
Elisa Serrano, a cashier in the South Campus Dining Hall, said that most students who use the mugs use them every time.
“It makes sense because it keeps your diner points down,” said freshman accounting major Eric Smith, who uses his mug every time he visits the dining halls to save money. “Plus anytime you can help the environment it’s a good thing.”
Dining Services will probably continue the program next fall, but the decision depends on use during the spring semester, Hipple said.
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