ASHLEIGH MATTERN
Editor-in-Chief
 
    The University of Saskatchewan throws away 8,000 paper cups per day — roughly the equivalent of four trees.

    Waste like this is why U of S student Amber Burton came up with the idea for the Mug Run last year.

Basically, the Mug Run encourages students to use reusable mugs whenever they can. Now in its second year, the event is starting to gain some momentum and Burton is hoping the event will become a more permanent part of campus.

    “Perhaps the USSU will make it a staple initiative,” she said. “It’s relatively easy for people to participate.”

    A Mug Run card gets stamped every time you buy a drink with a reusable mug at any Food Services outlet, excluding Tim Horton’s and Starbucks. Pick up a Mug Run card at Treats, Browser’s, Le Crepe Bistro or at the Mug Run table in the Arts Tunnel. Cards with even one stamp can be dropped off at the Arts and Science Students’ Union office by Feb. 26 to be entered to win a prize. 

    The ease of participation in the Mug Run is one of the aspects of the event that Burton is most excited about.

    “Little things make a big difference,” she said. “Some people might not be willing to eat local or unplug their appliances from the wall every night, (but) this is pretty simple…. It’s a gateway initiative to bigger environmental impacts.”

    Last year, the event took place at the same time as Tim Horton’s Roll Up the Rim to Win event. Burton said it “defeats the purpose” when the company asks if you would like the paper cup to roll up the rim, even though you’re using a reusable mug.

    “A lot of people participate in Roll Up the Rim,” she said. “I really don’t like that event; it encourages wastefulness.”

    Aside from avoiding wastefulness, Burton also pointed out the practical benefits of carrying around a reusable mug, like the discount many places offer if you use one.

    And certainly in an event like the Mug Run, the other practical benefit is the prizes. Burton said participation was low last year, so everyone who entered got a prize, but participants might not be so lucky this year.

    Prizes include a $50 gift certificate to McNally Robinson booksellers, a bike tune-up from Bike Doctor worth $50, bags, hats, T-shirts and, of course, reusable mugs.

    Burton said she hopes that someday events like this won’t be necessary. Until then, she hopes the Biology Club and Environmental Studies Students’ Association will continue to work together to bring events like the Mug Run to the campus.

    “It’s been a group effort on both parts,” she said. “It’s that kind of relationship that allows events like this to continue.”

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photo: Flickr / CC BY 2.0