A “Leave No Trace” Food and Drink Policy

Posted on February 23, 2010 by Stephen Francoeur

The Gould Library at Carleton College has an outdoorsy-themed food and drink policy that mimics the “leave no trace” ethos of hikers and campers (“you pack it in, you pack it out.”) Should we rethink our policies? Clarify them?

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3 Responses to A “Leave No Trace” Food and Drink Policy

  1. LRATH says:
    February 23, 2010 at 4:56 pm

    Dare I say this? A “leave no trace” concept is one that is practiced by outdoor enthusiasts (hikers/campers, etc.) and others that tend to have an outlook, appreciation and/or familiarity with limiting human impact on the environment. Perhaps this is an already familiar concept and an easier sell to Carleton College students. (Carleton College is a small college about an hour south of Minneapolis in Northfield, Minnesota with an enrollment of 1,986). Did you see the aerial photo of the campus? I’m not saying students in an urban setting would not appreciate it, but they may not be as familiar with “leave no trace” and “outdoor ethics”, beyond recycling and green buildings & appliances. Also, it would be harder to enforce with 15,500 students.

    I’m concerned that students would interpret “leave no trace” to mean any kind of food can be enjoyed throughout the library, as long as they throw away garbage or do not leave food traces. Evidence (garbage) left during mid-terms and finals demonstrate that most students do not have a “leave no trace” mentality, currently. Also, it would be tricky to enforce. (Donuts are OK, but pizza isn’t because it is greasy and smelly.)

    However, this doesn’t mean we shouldn’t rethink our policies, because the current policy doesn’t work. Perhaps a designated cafe area could be established, containing proper refuse & recycling containers and cleaning supplies. This way, garbage would not be throughout the library and students could have supplies to clean up after themselves or others. (Similar to a gym, where one wipes down a machine.) I’ll stop here, but could easily go on.

  2. Ryan Phillips says:
    March 2, 2010 at 3:31 pm

    I like Linda’s point about outdoor enthusiasts and would like to believe it’s valid given my alma mater–aerial photo

    But, I wonder if the constraints of physical space on this campus overall would make a “leave no trace” policy unmanageable, and what make our current policy a struggle. If we compared the capacity of the Gould Library, or even the Carleton College cafeteria(s) and our campus facilities, would the difference inform us in implementing a similar policy?

  3. adowning says:
    April 13, 2010 at 9:21 pm

    On the same page there is a link to the library’s printable levels of quiet signage. Level 1: Monastery Quiet; Level 2: Nature Film Narrator Quiet; Level 3: Discussion Group Quiet; Level 4: Blue Monday Quiet.

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