House Republicans Ungreen Cafeteria by Bringing Back Styrofoam Cups
Friday, March 04, 2011
Styrofoam cups at Congressional cafeteria (photo: Treehugger.com)
Claiming the program was too expensive to continue, House Republicans have eliminated former Speaker Nancy Pelosi’s “Green the Capitol” initiative, which involved using only biodegradable cups and dishware in congressional cafeterias.
As a result, an old enemy of environmentalists—Styrofoam cups—has made a comeback on Capitol Hill.
Representative Dan Lungren (R-California), chairman of the House Committee on Administration, said the eco-friendly program was costing the House nearly half a million dollars a year, which was too much to spend when reducing the deficit is so important.
In addition to requiring only biodegradable utensils, plates and trays—which staffers complained were prone to breaking, Pelosi had climate-friendly vending machines and compact fluorescent light bulbs installed throughout the Capitol. The Democrats claim the effort reduced energy consumption by 23% and water consumption by 32%.
The winner of the GOP’s decision to return to Styrofoam is WinCup, a supplier owned by former Koch Industries executive George Wurtz. Koch Industries is owned by the Koch Brothers, two of the Republican Party’s most important donors.
Styrofoam Makes a Comeback in House Cafeterias (by Laura Klairmont, CNN)
Former Koch Exec Supplying House's New Styrofoam Cups (by Elise Foley, Huffington Post)
Inside the New GOP-Run, Styrofoam-Filled Congressional Cafeteria (Photos) (by Brian Merchant, Tree Hugger)
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