Going TraylessGoing TraylessThe Do’s, the Don’ts & Some The Do’s, the Don’ts & Some

TroublesTroublesPresenters:Presenters:

Jon Plodzik, University of New HampshireJon Plodzik, University of New Hampshire

Chris Mongeon, Plymouth State UniversityChris Mongeon, Plymouth State University

Carolyn Watkins, Porter Khouw Consulting, Inc.Carolyn Watkins, Porter Khouw Consulting, Inc.

The Do’s of Going TraylessThe Do’s of Going Trayless► Carefully consider the Carefully consider the

pros & cons of pros & cons of eliminating trayseliminating trays Servery, seating design Servery, seating design

& service impact& service impact Collection challengesCollection challenges

► Seek support from Seek support from other campus other campus community memberscommunity members

► Seek information from Seek information from colleaguescolleagues

► Expect a challenge, but Expect a challenge, but incorporate trayless as incorporate trayless as part of larger initiativepart of larger initiative

► Get baseline data prior Get baseline data prior to making a change!to making a change!

More Do’s of Going TraylessMore Do’s of Going Trayless► Communicate the Communicate the

benefits-”why us, too?”benefits-”why us, too?”► Communicate in a Communicate in a

variety of waysvariety of ways► Communicate when it Communicate when it

will start (no surprises!)will start (no surprises!)► Communicate that you Communicate that you

know the challengesknow the challenges► Keep data & everyone Keep data & everyone

informed on resultsinformed on results► Know how you will use Know how you will use

unneeded trays & unneeded trays & savingssavings

The Don’ts of Going TraylessThe Don’ts of Going Trayless

►Don’t introduce mid-Don’t introduce mid-semestersemester

►Don’t do a trial run or Don’t do a trial run or “Trayless Tuesday” if “Trayless Tuesday” if you don’t have toyou don’t have to

►Don’t expect a drop Don’t expect a drop in sales in cash in sales in cash venuesvenues

►Don’t forget that Don’t forget that some will just not some will just not want to participatewant to participate

Schools That Aren’t Going Schools That Aren’t Going TraylessTrayless

► Concordia CollegeConcordia College Two day trialTwo day trial Poor exit surveysPoor exit surveys Facebook strength & the Facebook strength & the

petition to “Go Plateless” petition to “Go Plateless” ► University of GeorgiaUniversity of Georgia

Identified alternative ways Identified alternative ways practice conservation practice conservation without adversely affecting without adversely affecting customer service.customer service.► UGA reduced water UGA reduced water

consumption by 2.05 consumption by 2.05 million gallons.million gallons.

► Advice: Focus on your Advice: Focus on your employees to reduce costs, employees to reduce costs, not your customers.not your customers.

Troubles in Going Trayless Troubles in Going Trayless

► Tables & everything else is Tables & everything else is dirtier=more staffdirtier=more staff

► More stations are needed More stations are needed for everythingfor everything

► Dish drop doesn’t always Dish drop doesn’t always work-think operationallywork-think operationally

► Student perception is Student perception is reality, & how will you really reality, & how will you really use those savings?use those savings?

► It’s all about communication It’s all about communication (and the why!)(and the why!)

► It leads to more sustainable It leads to more sustainable initiatives! initiatives!

Success Stories for Going Success Stories for Going TraylessTrayless

► St. Paul School St. Paul School Kurt started this whole thing!Kurt started this whole thing!

► St. Lawrence UniversitySt. Lawrence University Started as part of Earth day, Started as part of Earth day,

now an admissions now an admissions advantageadvantage

► Middlebury CollegeMiddlebury College It’s all about set-up & the It’s all about set-up & the

mission mission ► University of New HampshireUniversity of New Hampshire

Matt shames UNH’s Dave Matt shames UNH’s Dave May into it!May into it!

2 out of 3 ain’t bad2 out of 3 ain’t bad► Plymouth State University Plymouth State University

Hard to argue the facts with Hard to argue the facts with Chris!Chris!

Cooperation & education are Cooperation & education are keykey

Plymouth State UniversityPlymouth State University

► Trayless since January Trayless since January 20082008

► ResultsResults Savings in utilities, chemicals Savings in utilities, chemicals

& food costs& food costs Reduction in food wasteReduction in food waste Fewer deliveriesFewer deliveries Decreased dishware Decreased dishware

breakagebreakage Healthier, educated studentsHealthier, educated students Lower dumping feesLower dumping fees

► Total saving of $159,918!Total saving of $159,918!► Saved 2.3% on students Saved 2.3% on students

average board billaverage board bill

Go ahead…go Go ahead…go traylesstrayless

everyone is watchingeveryone is watching