Open Letter to To-Go Boxes

Dear you flashy green containers,

Hi, it’s Jay. I won’t lie, I’m not your biggest fan. I know, I know. You hate the environment! Uh, actually no — I’m an EPS concentrator bud. So, what do you actually hate? Well, where do I start?

To all of you certified green container haters, how are you hanging in there as you attempt to simultaneously enjoy a delectable Veritaffle and not be 20 minutes late to that dreaded Friday 9 a.m. section, or watch a friend lug this surprisingly small cargo around through their 12-hour trek throughout the Science Center Plaza? I feel like everywhere I look now, I somehow see the little goblin that has quickly integrated itself into Harvard life and culture. Oh, and what about those conversations of “remember when we could throw these away,” with the occasional “shoot! I accidentally threw mine away.” (Just me? Oh okay…). Why are these containers making me feel unc…

Frankly, the introduction of these to-go boxes has certainly been polarizing. I’m sure sophomores like me vividly remember the neat and compact paper vessels we used to be able to pile high in our arms with HUDS brownies, then just toss away when we were done without a care in the world. I’m sure we all remember the limitless packs of utensils that we could dispose of to our hearts’ content. Perhaps the juniors and seniors have imparted their ancient wisdom about the even better times. Those must have been the good ol’ days, right?

Now, as our psets and readings pile up, our to-go boxes pile up even higher, because it can be such an inconvenience to go out of your way to return them. Sometimes, we’ll return one and immediately need another, feeling like Sisyphus, always having to carry the weight of a to-go box all day. Sometimes, we’ll throw it out, forgetting we can’t do that, or somehow lose it despite it relentlessly being in our grasp or our backpack (or so we thought…still just me? Ugh, okay).

Don’t get me wrong, they’re pretty decent boxes, but what was wrong with the paper boxes anyway? Was this change for the environment? Probably, but Harvard should be changing many other things for the benefit of the environment — don’t take it out on our dining experience!

I’m probably too passionate about this, but these boxes are a major inconvenience when I need to get food and walk to the Science Center in under 10 minutes, the nail in my coffin of doom, of being cursed to be in the plaza area for the rest of my day. Lunch-less, definitely, perhaps dinner-less, too. And although I’m somewhat getting used to the habit, I’d really prefer we go back to the olden days of disposable boxes again. At this point, HUDS is tired of me continuously asking for to-go boxes (knowing dang well I have five on my desk) and, heck, I’m tired of me too. Harvard, please hear my plea. Please make our days merry and bright again.

Sincerely,

A fed-up sophomore. Emphasis on fed, though — thank you.