{"id":71646,"date":"2017-06-19T12:10:08","date_gmt":"2017-06-19T10:10:08","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/?p=71646\/"},"modified":"2026-01-16T17:02:21","modified_gmt":"2026-01-16T16:02:21","slug":"readers-questions-wat-happens-with-the-leftovers-and-science-an-opinion","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.erasmusmagazine.nl\/en\/2017\/06\/19\/readers-questions-wat-happens-with-the-leftovers-and-science-an-opinion\/","title":{"rendered":"Readers\u2019 questions: Wat happens with the leftovers? And science just another opinion?"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"\"

\n\t\n\n<\/svg>\n<\/span>\n\tImage by:<\/span>\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\tUnit 20<\/a>\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t<\/p>\n<\/figcaption><\/figure>\t

\n\t\t

Do you have a question for EM? Send an email to erasmusmagazine@em.eur.nl<\/a> with \u2018readers\u2019 questions\u2019 in the subject line.<\/p>\n\n\t<\/div>\n

Collect and divide<\/h3>

What actually happens to all the left-over food in the cafeterias, the food court and the pavilion? A green student<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

Firstly, as far as possible, EUR tries to avoid making waste beforehand, says a University spokesperson. Wherever possible, any waste that is nevertheless produced is separated for recycling. \u201cFor example, we collect five different waste streams in the Sanders Building. We do this with the aid of innovative, biodegradable waste bins.\u201d<\/p>\n

But let\u2019s focus on food \u2013 starting with the commercial outlets. \u2018Cooked\u2019 food waste, which is produced during food preparation, is separately disposed of. As is discarded food at the Food Plaza. Which sounds okay, but hardly spectacular. Fortunately, EUR is working hard to get an \u2018innovative\u2019 (and still-to-be-determined) private-sector party to further improve the entire process (from waste prevention to the weighing, collection and even re-use of residual streams). And they\u2019re always interested in new ideas, of course. Both students and staff are welcome to submit their suggestions to fpm@eur.nl.<\/p>\n

The best available opinion<\/h3>

My uncle is always saying that science is \u2018just another opinion\u2019. How can I put a stop to this nonsense once and for all? Greetje W. from V.<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

\u201cIf your uncle\u2019s point is that we can never be absolutely sure about anything, then he\u2019s right: this is a clear point of principle that you will never be able to disprove,\u201d says EUR Philosophy lecturer Tim de Mey. \u201cBut assuming that your uncle is like most people and takes a car now and then, goes to the doctor, etc., you can remind him of his own \u2013 and in a wider sense, everyone\u2019s \u2013 actions as a human being. In almost everything we do, we base ourselves on \u2018scientific hypotheses\u2019 that, while they are indeed \u2018merely\u2019 opinions, are nevertheless the best opinions available \u2013 the most well-considered, well-substantiated and coherent perspectives. It is precisely because \u2018scientific hypotheses\u2019 are the best available opinions that we do well to rely on them.<\/p>\n\n\t

\n\t\t\t\t\t

De redactie<\/h2>\n\t\t\n\t\t
\n\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t