Presented by
🧵 In Today’s Edition
1. UNCG Joins Movement to Reduce Plastic Waste
2. The Agenda
3. What We’re Reading
UNCG Joins Movement to Reduce Plastic Waste
Single-use, compostable and recyclable takeout containers are on their way out at some North Carolina universities.
Stainless steel is taking their place.
This fall, UNC Greensboro introduced reusable stainless steel foodware in its campus dining halls, joining UNC Wilmington to become just the second university in the state to adopt the model. The goals are to eliminate waste created by disposable and compostable containers and to address the durability and food safety concerns associated with reusable plastic ones.
The containers are provided by USEFULL, a Boston-based company that helps colleges and universities transition from plastic takeout foodware to more durable stainless steel bowls. Chartwells Higher Ed, which manages UNCG’s dining services, contracted with USEFULL to implement the change.
“Transitioning away from plastic toward plastic-free reusables is a major step forward for UNCG,” said Aimee Langford, Chartwells’ resident district manager.
Read the full story at NC Health News.
— Will Atwater
NC Health News
Thanks for reading The Thread, a 3x week newsletter written by Greensboro editor Joe Killian and reporters Sayaka Matsuoka and Gale Melcher. Reach us with tips or ideas at greensboro@theassemblync.com.
Presented by
The Agenda
The Agenda
Good morning! It’s a stacked week for local governments around the county; multiple city council and commission meetings, plus a board of education meeting.
City of Greensboro
Planning and Zoning Commission meeting
Monday, Nov. 17, at 5:30 p.m. @ Melvin Municipal Office Building in the Katie Dorsett Council Chamber, 300 W. Washington St.
The commission has five public hearings on rezoning cases on its agenda this month. City staff have recommended approval of all five cases. View staff reports for this meeting’s zoning cases here.
City Council bimonthly meeting
Tuesday, Nov. 18, at 5:30 p.m. @ Melvin Municipal Office Building in the Katie Dorsett Council Chamber, 300 W. Washington St.
The city will honor the late Jim Melvin, former mayor of Greensboro, and the City leaders’ agenda also includes:
- A public hearing and approval of the South Greensboro Plan. This is a 252-page document with plans for the eight-square-mile area, including street-widening projects, traffic management designs, planned greenways, and other beautification measures. Some parts of the plan are already taking shape; staff are in the process of making lighting improvements along Randleman Road with Duke Energy. Plus, West Elmsley Drive will get a high-visibility crosswalk, as well as a new sidewalk for better connection to high-use bus shelters. Also, during the planning process, the East Vandalia Road project incorporated community feedback into the design of pedestrian and bicycling infrastructure that will be added or upgraded as part of the project, which will start construction in a year.
- Submitting a local water supply plan to the North Carolina Department of Environmental Quality, Division of Water Resources. This is required at least once every five years.
- Amending the city’s code related to the Minimum Housing Standard Commission’s duties, which was postponed from the last meeting. This would take away the commission’s duty to study rental rates and inspect living situations.
- Committing $2 million in infrastructure support to the Greensboro Housing Authority for The Arbors at South Crossing, a 238-unit affordable housing community, formerly Smith Homes. The total development investment is estimated at $80 million.
Guilford County
Board of Education Policy Committee meeting
Wednesday, Nov. 19, at 2 p.m. @ The Community Education Center in room 114 at 2703 E. Florida St.
The board will review:
- A proposed policy for board hearings.
- A proposed policy regarding general employment of substitute teachers, teacher’s assistants as substitute teachers, and notification of parents.
- A revised policy for dismissing, demoting, or suspending employees.
- A revised policy for the retention and renewal of staff contracts.
- A proposed policy for board hearings on actions regarding employment.
Board of Commissioners bimonthly meeting
Thursday, Nov. 20, at 5:30 p.m. @ 301 W. Market St.
The board’s agenda includes:
- Establishing a local adult protection multidisciplinary team that will review cases of disabled and older adults to protect against exploitation, neglect, and abuse, per direction from the state’s General Assembly.
- Amending the budget and an agreement with the city of High Point to add a new position at the Family Justice Center.
City of High Point
City Council special meeting
Monday, Nov. 17, at 4 p.m. @ 211 S. Hamilton St.
This is a closed session, a private meeting between the city attorney and city council due to attorney-client privilege.
City Council bimonthly meeting
Monday, Nov. 17, at 5:30 p.m. @ 211 S. Hamilton St.
City leaders will vote on:
- Amending city code related to the semi-annual furniture market, particularly vendors and parking.
- Accepting a donation of nearly four acres of property at 999 Mayview Court.
- Demolishment of property at 502 Academy St.
Links to local board meetings and agendas:
Guilford County – Board of Commissioners
Guilford County – Board of Education
— Gale Melcher
What We’re Reading
Breaking Her Own Record: Five years ago, MacKenzie Scott gave $45 million to N.C. A&T University. It was then the largest single, unrestricted gift in the campus’s history. Last week, she topped that, giving another $63 million. Scott also donated $50 to Winston-Salem State University last week, according to WFDD.
Bitter Still: In 1985, a murder-suicide spree killed nine people, largely from two prominent Triad families. The sensational case spawned the book Bitter Blood by former News & Record writer Jerry Bledsoe, a TV miniseries, and film. The News & Record looks back at the case.
The Next Chief: The Greensboro Police Department is looking for community input as it looks toward a search for a new chief. Current Chief John Thompson announced last week that he’ll retire in February. WFMY has more.